76 ON THE MANOR HOUSE OF SOUTH WINFIELD. 



north windows with mnllions ami transoms, and the other interpo- 

 lations of the 17th century, as already mentioned, are here to be 

 noticed. The projecting porch, through which access is gained to 

 the hall, is well finished and most effective. The series of four- 

 leaved flowers carved in the hollow of the moulding of the outer 

 doorway should be noted. The beautiful tracery of the octagon 

 bay window of the hall, and of the principal square-headed window 

 of the porch, seems worthy of close attention. I do not know of 

 any better specimens of domestic Gothic of the 15th century. 

 Observe also the quatrefoils of the parapets over the porch and over 

 the bay window, which differ slightly in their details. The em- 

 battlements of these parapets bear shields ; on one of those over 

 the porch is a plain Latin cross ; on one of those which has 

 fallen down within the last ten years, I formerly noted the 

 bearings of Deincourt — a fesse dancettee. Ralph, Lord Cromwell 

 married Margaret, sister and co-heiress of William, Lord 

 Deincourt. 



In the south gable of the state apartments (to the west of 

 the banquetting hall) is a charming little circular window, com- 

 posed of three trefoils ; it is remarkable that it is not precisely 

 in the centre of the gable. Below it is the principal window of 

 the state apartment, of four chief lights ; it is a stiff specimen 

 of perpendicular work under an ogee-shaped crocketed hood- 

 mould with head terminals. Below this large state room was a 

 lower hall or room that communicated with a passage leading 

 straight to the large kitchens with their enormous fireplaces ; on 

 the left of this passage is the buttery. 



The west end of the banquetting hall would doubtless be 

 screened off with a wooden partition (as is the case with Haddon) 

 so that a passage would be formed through it to the "portal," 

 or north porch, by which the outer precincts of the manor house 

 could be gained down a flight of a few steps. This portal is 

 now in a ruinous condition. 



One of the most remarkable features of the building is the 

 large " crypt " beneath the banquetting hall. As it is consider- 

 ably hidden, the local term for this spacious apartment is not 



