314 



On Devizes Castle. 



stones were simply loops deeply splayed inwards, and were unglazed. 

 They were usually supplied with leathern curtains or mantelets, 

 which could be removed at will in times of peace. The parapet, 

 which was of slight projection, afterwards gave way to the hoarding 

 and brallish which preceded the machecoulis. The keep walls were 

 of immense thickness, and it was, on the whole, a picture of inert 

 rude strength. The enclosure in which it stood was divided into 

 two courts or baileys — the inner and the outer — the walls were 

 strengthened by towers and mural bastions, and the entrance was 

 guarded by a smaller but exceeding strong out-work, sometimes 

 double bastions, and moated, connected by drawbridges, and defended 

 by massive gates and iron portcullises. These again were connected 

 with the castle enclosure by a drawbridge, which was guarded on 

 either side by strong towers, and between these towers was a species 

 of gallery or bretache, which overhung the bridge and enabled the 

 defenders to pour melted lead, and cast other missiles on the assailants, 

 if they got so far. The fosse or ditch was wet or dry according to 

 circumstances, and sometimes wet only at the barbican entrance, 

 which appears to have been the case here. The various towers and 

 gatehouses were separate and complete fortresses in themselves, and 

 were usually known by the names of the knights, who were bound 

 by virtue of the tenure on which they held these lands to defend 

 them. We have a list of these knights preserved in connection 

 with Devizes Castle. A chapel was invariably provided, and there 

 were usually one or two postern or little gates, which led to the 

 water or fishponds, and were sometimes used as sallyports. It is 

 usual in visiting a castle that has been " slighted " or otherwise gone 

 to ruin to enquire for these main features, for though altered ac- 

 cording to the varied fashion, or by improvements which experience 

 dictated, the main features remained. The Castle of Devizes 

 presents some features which differ from many castles. When Bishop 

 Roger began to build his castle he first built a strong outer wall 

 along the edge of the rampart, which must have existed before his 

 time or it would not have borne the foundations. He placed towers 

 at the corners, and he provided for a sally port opposite the well 

 which lies between the town ditch and the wall where Mr. Leach's 



