The Pre- Reformation Clair ches of Beriuickshire. 151 



been 7 feet wide. The beautifully foliaged imposts or corbels 

 which supported the hood are left. (Fig. 21.) In the north- 

 west corner is a large recess, 10 feet wide, 5^ feet deep, and 10 

 feet 4 inches high ; and above it are the remains of a stair, 

 which has led up, through a large, segmental-headed, recessed 



Fig. 21. 



opening, from the cloisters to the Dormitories above. Indica- 

 tions of another stair, which has also conducted to the dormitories, 

 are observable in the opposite, or south-east corner. The latter 

 stair has been lighted by small circular windows or openings 

 in the E. wall, 14 inches in diameter, and plainly bevelled outside. 



This chamber is now roofless, but shows very evident indica- 

 tions of having had a groined vault,supported by two pillars in the 

 middle of the apartment, dividing it into two three-bayed aisles, 

 and by vaulting shafts resting on carved corbels in each of the 

 walls. (Figs. 22 and 23.) The pillars have been octagonal in 

 plan, with a groove in each angle, and the groin-ribs have 

 been plain, with a simple bevel on the edges. Bosses of simple 

 but pleasing design (Figs. 24 and 25), which have apparently 

 belonged to the roof of this apartment, are lying about in other 

 parts of the ruins. 



The outside of this portion of the buildings offers little that is 

 deserving of remark. The E.wall is pierced by three windows, one 

 of them of the ordinary round-headed tvpe, the others pointed. 

 Each of the latter is divided into two lights by a monial, branc.h- 

 ing above, and crossed by a transom about half-way up ; and 

 has a rear arch with a series of shallow, hollow-chamfered 

 mouldings. These two windows, as well as the vaulting of the 

 interior, are clearly later in date than the walls. The dormi- 

 tories have originally been lighted by round-headed windows in 

 tl^e E. wall ; but these have been subsequently built up, and 



