GODOLPHIN AND THE G0D0LFHIW8. 469 



testimony to the loving care bestowed on it by Mr. Eosewarne. 

 In this room there is a wrought-iron coat of arms of Henry 

 yill., which, has given rise to much speculation. 



South of this stretched the eastern wing of the original 

 building, which, as well as the western wing, has nearly all dis- 

 appeared. An old stone trough lies in the garden, and close to 

 this was, probably, the old kitchen, projecting from the building 

 as shown in the Pengersick sketch. 



Nothing else can be identified. But tradition says that 50 

 rooms once stood on the site (a number probably much exag- 

 gerated), and when they were pulled down early in the present 

 century an immense quantity of old bedding and rotten furniture 

 was burnt, all spoilt by decay and neglect ; and this account is 

 confirmed by 0. S. Gilbert, who, in his history of Cornwall 

 published in 1820, says, "The eastern side of the building has 

 been taken down, and the whole is in a very ruinous state;" 

 " the interior is in a miserably decayed state, and if neglect like 

 the past is allowed to prevail for a few years longer the whole 

 fabric must crumble into dust." 



Grilbert also states there was formerly an old chapel here, 

 dedicated to the Virgin, which was, probably, a part of the old 

 buildings pulled down. 



The l7th century additions made by the second Earl of 

 Godolphin lie to the north of the buildings just described. 



Under the corridor is a fine old Jacobean doorway, with the 

 original oak door complete with its ironwork. In one of the 

 rooms, called the Library, are some fine old Dutch tiles, showing 

 Dolphins in every conceivable form. But the most interesting 

 feature is that undoubtedly known as the King's Eoom — a fine 

 vaulted room, with remains of ornamentation of the Jacobean 

 period, with a granite open fireplace and a fine carved doorway. 

 This room is said to have been buUt to read the despatches in 

 which were sent every week from Exeter, and it was, probably, 

 here that in later days the " Sherborne Mercury" lay on the 

 table for the country gentry around to read. 



South of the King's Eoom is a fine arched doorway leading 

 from the courtyard into what is known as the King's Garden ; 



