ON THE MANOR HOUSE OF SOUTH WINFIELD. 75 



was also of two floors, and contained the guards' chambers, lighted 

 by a double tier of single light cinque-foil headed windows. 



In the centre of the range of buildings that divide the two court- 

 yards is another entrance gateway, with a porter's lodge on the 

 left hand. Over the gateway, on the south side, is a series of 

 shields effectively arranged under a hood-mould. They now bear 

 no trace of carving or emblazonry, but were doubtless originally 

 designed for the arms of Ralph, Lord Cromwell, and his alliances. 

 This is proved by the badge of a boldly carved double purse, 

 twice repeated, which he adopted as the insignia of his office as 

 Lord Treasurer. The same badge is found on other buildings 

 erected by him, and it used to be on some of the oak carving of 

 the large hall of this manor, which was removed at the time when 

 Imanuel Halton subdivided it Only the external walls of the 

 farmhouse to the right of this gateway are ancient, the inner walls 

 and fittings being of comparatively modern date. 



Through this gateway we gain the inner or north quadrangle, 

 where were the most important apartments. The rooms on the 

 east side have altogether disappeared ; and of the range on the 

 west side only the lofty outer walls remain, and some of the foun- 

 dations of its inner wall. The latter side of this courtyard is, no 

 doubt, the site of the suite of apartments occupied by Mary, Queen 

 of Scots. Their united area would be about 100 feet by 20 ; the 

 external walls are here very plain and massive, and are not pierced 

 with windows on the ground floor. The small triangular room in the 

 north-west angle of the building, behind the kitchens, is also some- 

 times pointed out as the part tenanted by Queen Mary, but this 

 is clearly an error, as she was at no time immured in a single room. 



In the south-west angle of this court is the high tower, with its 

 numerous cells and apartments. It is 72 feet high ; the steps are 

 good to the summit, and the ascent will be well repaid by the 

 general view of the manor house and surrounding country. 



The most beautiful part of the ruins is the south front of the 

 banquetting hall, opening into the inner quadrangle, and the whole 

 range of buildings on that side of this courtyard. The interior 

 area of the large hall is about 72 feet by 36. The filling up of the 



