By Harold Brakspcar, F.S.A, 



235 



possibly used for the same purpose. These destroyed buildings 

 will be referred to later. 



The next chamber to the north, in the range, formed a passage, 

 and is vaulted in two severies resting on moulded corbels. There is 

 a segmental-arched doorway at the east end leading to the cloister, 

 and another doorway at the west end, covered up externally by 

 the modern work of the hall. As this passage formed the cloister 

 entry from the outer court it was doubtless used as the outer 

 parlour. The western doorway is placed considerably out of centre, 

 apparently to allow sitting room on one side of it for the porter 

 who kept the door, so as to be out of the direct way of those passing 

 in and out. 



The northernmost chamber of the range is vaulted into six 

 severies, resting in the centre on circular columns and against the 

 walls on moulded corbels, similar to those of the other apartments. 

 The west wall contains in the first bay from the north an original 

 shouldered doorway leading outwards. In the second bay was 

 originally a small window that was destroyed in the 15th century 

 by the insertion of a large fireplace, with a flat arched head under 

 a square outer moulding. The spandrils are carved with delicate 

 foliage bearing the letters E and M — the initials of Elena de 

 Montfort, who is mentioned as abbess in 1421 and 1426. 1 The 

 southern bay appears to have had a small window enlarged in the 

 15th century to one similar to that in the southern apartment. 

 The whole external face of this wall is covered by the casing of 

 the present hall. The end walls of the chamber are blank, ex- 

 cepting for a modern inserted door and window in the south and 

 north ends respectively. The wall next the cloister has been so 

 mutilated by modern insertions in the shape of two windows and 

 a door as to entirely obliterate any original openings, if such ever 

 existed. It is difficult to ascribe a use to this room, but it was not 

 improbably for the accommodation of inferior guests under the 

 care of the cellaress. 



To revert to the destroyed buildings to the west but adjoining 

 the range. All that is at present extant in connection with them 

 1 Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xxvi., p. 44. 



