Battle Abbey 
bosses which are said to be 
those of William the Con¬ 
queror, Harold and his queen 
Edith the Fair, or the Swan- 
neck: according to other au¬ 
thorities the two last represent 
Edward III. and Queen 
Philippa. Over the door lead¬ 
ing to the monastic prisons is 
the Hangman’s Beam, a con¬ 
vincing evidence of the might 
of the Abbot, who had the 
power of life or death over 
his prisoners. You can see 
the grooves in which the port¬ 
cullis worked. It was manip¬ 
ulated by a sentinel stationed 
in a small closet in the 
turret There are also open¬ 
ings in the vaulted ceiling for 
pouring down boiling oil or 
melted lead or red-hot sand 
upon an attacking foe, and 
also a small stone cauldron for heating these 
mediaeval materials for defence. Amongst the 
carvings I noticed that of a smirking gentle¬ 
man with flowing hair, and of another watch¬ 
ing intently a beautifully carved little nun in 
gorget and pointed wimple with a smiling 
face, engaged at her devotions. The finest 
view of the building is that seen from the 
Abbey courtyard. The Eastern wing has 
lacked a roof for over a century. It was the 
Manor Court House, and was altered by Sir 
Anthony Browne. 
We now walk along the drive past the wall 
SPOT WHERE KING HAROLD FELL 
of the stable-yard, and have a fine view of 
the west front of the Abbey. The two win¬ 
dows on the left, which are modern, give 
light to a fine vaulted room now used as a 
drawing-room. This room is said to have 
been tbe Locutorium of the monks, though 
this is doubtful. Above are some suites of 
apartments which formed part of the Abbot’s 
Solar. The roofs are not ancient, as neces¬ 
sity compelled them to be renewed in 1720. 
Then we see the interior of the great Hall, a 
noble apartment, the dining-hall of the Abbot. 
The present roof was erected in 1812, but it 
follows in design the 
former one, and is com¬ 
posed of hammer- 
beams with pendants, 
queen postsand rafters. 
The old dais remains, 
the panelling is modern. 
The walls bear the 
shields and banners of 
the Norman leaders. 
Over the large fireplace 
are the arms of England 
and the Abbey. Some 
panels of fine old ar¬ 
ras tapestry adorn the 
walls, brought from 
the Continent by Sir 
GRAND GATEWAY 
12 I 
