228 



Lacock Abbey. 



wall of the latter, in which are the jambs and arch of a large 

 window now built up. The side walls were raised 2f feet and a 

 new roof put on. The roof still remains, though' mutilated by later 

 alterations, and is divided into fourteen bays by framed tie-beam 

 principals, supporting two purlins on each side, with two arched 

 and feathered wind-braces in each division. All the main timbers 

 and the wind- braces are wrought, and have hollow chamfered 

 angles. 



After the suppression a long gallery was constructed in the roof 

 Over the tie-beams. The collar beams of the principals were all 

 removed and the lower purlins and wind-braces in the second, sixth, 

 eighth, tenth, and twelfth bays from the south on the east side, 

 and the third and thirteenth bays on the west were taken out to 

 form large dormer windows to light the gallery. The external 

 walls were practically removed by the insertion of large windows 

 and fireplaces. 



All evidence of monastic arrangement internally is covered up 

 by plastering and wainscoting. There would doubtless be a centre 

 passage lighted by the large window in the north gable. 



Opening off the centre passage on either side would be the 

 cubicles of the canonesses and novices, the doors of which were to 

 be " witheoute lokkes or keys " and " ther beddes schal be made of 

 hordes faste nay led togyder and stuffed with straw and they schal 

 have as many clothes up on them as nede requyrethe after the 

 discrecion of the souereyne." 1 



The Bere-Dorter. 



At the north end of the eastern range is a large two-storied 

 building with its axis east and west. The upper floor, on the 

 same level as the dorter, was the neccsmrium or rere-dorter of the 

 convent. 



The lower story consists of a long wagon- vaulted chamber to 

 the south, occupying about two-thirds of the width of the building, 



1 Aungier, Hist, of Sion, p. 385, appendix. 



