144 REPORT OP THE MEETINGS FOR 1897 



The northern portion of the south-west turret is occupied by 

 a fine wheel staircase, which is no less than 8' 2" in diameter, 

 and extends from basement to roof where it terminates with a 

 vaulted roof, with radiating ribs springing from the central 

 newel. To north and south of this staircase are various small 

 chambers also vaulted."* 



"The first floor contains the great hall 42' 9''x2r 6", with 

 guard rooms and other apartments on its western side, and 

 above it the row of corbels show that another floor existed on 

 similar lines. 



The great hall is lighted by two two-light traceried windows, 

 one at each end, and by a small wiudow in the eastern wall, 

 and traces of the beautiful wall decorations are still visible. 



The windows are checked for wooden shutters, for which 

 the hinges still remain, and if glazed, they were glazed in 

 wooden frames. 



It is to be noted that the roof turrets follow in their greatest 

 projection the perpendicular face of the angle of the Castle 

 wall. 



There is some doubt as to how the roof was finished, the 

 great height of the battlements, 7' 3", points to the fact that 

 they were intended to carry a sloping roof, in case of need, 

 usually of wood, put up when required, and that as at 

 Pierrefonds, the overhanging part of the Breasche, the 

 battlemented wall was of stone ; if this was so, it follows that 

 the internal faces of the thick walls were carried up a storey 

 higher to house these wooden roofs, and were probably 

 furnished with a second row of battlements, as was the case 

 with some of the smaller towers at Ford." 



Plan No. 3. 



