DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6911#0159
DOMESTIC, OR CIVIL ARCHITECTURE.
107
fmtntisor Castle,
BERKSHIRE,
The principal seat and residence of his present Majesty, has continued to
belong to the crown, and been very generally occupied by the English
monarchs, from the time of William the Conqueror ; who, according to
Holinshed, first built it, and kept his Whitsuntide here in 1071. The Con-
queror, however, is said to have intended this fortress, rather as a military
post, than place of residence: but King Henry I. having enlarged it " with
many fair buildings," settled his court here. It would be difficult, if not im-
possible, to trace the regular history of this now very extensive building, and
shew when its many and different alterations and additions have been made.
An irregular but connected series of buildings, completely encompass, and partly
occupy, two large courts, or wards, having a grand keep-tower, on a lofty mount,
between them. The lower court is occupied by St. George's Chapel,* the
deanery, and canons' buildings, poor knights' houses, seven towers of different
sizes and shapes, with other subordinate buildings. Round the upper court are
numerous apartments appropriated to the royal family, and to their necessary
retinue. The circumference of the whole castle is 4180 feet : nearly one mile. It
is 1480 feet in length, from east to west: and its superficial area within the walls
is 12 acres, 2 roods, and 30 poles.f On the north-west side of the upper court,
connected with a part called the Star-Building, (erected by Charles I.) are some
apartments, which were built by King Henry the Seventh, and Queen Elizabeth.
Exterior views of these are displayed in the accompanying plates; also three
chimney-pieces belonging to the same. Plate II. is a perspective view of the
southern side, or inner front of the additions made by Henry VII. and Queen
Elizabeth, by which, the style that prevailed in each reign is displayed. In this
view, and Plate I. the capricious irregularity of outline, which has already been
* In the next, or third volume of this work, will be given an history and description, with plan, views, and
architectural details, of St. George's Chapel,
* From Batty Langley's plan. The same artist published, in 1743, "pursuant to 8 George II." four
geometrical elevations of the east, west, north, and south fronts of the castle buildings.
107
fmtntisor Castle,
BERKSHIRE,
The principal seat and residence of his present Majesty, has continued to
belong to the crown, and been very generally occupied by the English
monarchs, from the time of William the Conqueror ; who, according to
Holinshed, first built it, and kept his Whitsuntide here in 1071. The Con-
queror, however, is said to have intended this fortress, rather as a military
post, than place of residence: but King Henry I. having enlarged it " with
many fair buildings," settled his court here. It would be difficult, if not im-
possible, to trace the regular history of this now very extensive building, and
shew when its many and different alterations and additions have been made.
An irregular but connected series of buildings, completely encompass, and partly
occupy, two large courts, or wards, having a grand keep-tower, on a lofty mount,
between them. The lower court is occupied by St. George's Chapel,* the
deanery, and canons' buildings, poor knights' houses, seven towers of different
sizes and shapes, with other subordinate buildings. Round the upper court are
numerous apartments appropriated to the royal family, and to their necessary
retinue. The circumference of the whole castle is 4180 feet : nearly one mile. It
is 1480 feet in length, from east to west: and its superficial area within the walls
is 12 acres, 2 roods, and 30 poles.f On the north-west side of the upper court,
connected with a part called the Star-Building, (erected by Charles I.) are some
apartments, which were built by King Henry the Seventh, and Queen Elizabeth.
Exterior views of these are displayed in the accompanying plates; also three
chimney-pieces belonging to the same. Plate II. is a perspective view of the
southern side, or inner front of the additions made by Henry VII. and Queen
Elizabeth, by which, the style that prevailed in each reign is displayed. In this
view, and Plate I. the capricious irregularity of outline, which has already been
* In the next, or third volume of this work, will be given an history and description, with plan, views, and
architectural details, of St. George's Chapel,
* From Batty Langley's plan. The same artist published, in 1743, "pursuant to 8 George II." four
geometrical elevations of the east, west, north, and south fronts of the castle buildings.