DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6913#0258
136
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
keep-tower was erected by that nobleman. Mr. Wilkins thinks it " most probable
that the present Castle was built by Canute, the Danish monarch. Although the
building is of Danish workmanship, it is, notwithstanding, in the taste of architecture
practised by the Saxons long before England became subject to the Danes, and it
is the best exterior specimen of the kind of architecture extant."* Mr. King first
suggested and urged this opinion in his " Observations on Ancient Castles, p. 35,
where he asserts that Norwich Castle is " one of the most complete Saxon remains
in England." The family of the Bigods continued in possession of it, with little
intermission, until Roger Bigod, the fifth in descent, surrendered it to King
Edward III. A.D. 1325. In the year 1375 it was again granted to the Bigods.
Thomas de Brotherton succeeded the Bigods in the constableship of this fort, and it
is conjectured that this governor made some additions and alterations to the Castle.
The annexed print shews the south and west sides of the present edifice : and
also shews that the whole of the exterior surface is ornamented with columns, arched
mouldings, panels, and flat buttresses. The attached building, on the east side, is a
modern county gaol, erected from the designs of John Soane, Esq. architect. A
bold and grand bridge, of one arch, is thrown across the fosse, on the south side,
facing which was the original entrance to the keep, up a flight of steps, on the out-
side of the tower, as at Rising. This keep was raised on a natural eminence, which
was surrounded by three deep ditches, and as many banks : but all these, except
the inner one, are now levelled. The approach from the south was conducted along
the brow of a natural terrace. There appears to have been a barbican, with fortified
towers projecting beyond, and guarding the outer bridge. Two other bridges, each
probably fortified, intervened between the outer barbican and the keep. The latter
has been so much altered, by adapting it for a county prison, that it is impracticable
to ascertain the original arrangement and division of the floors, &c. Mr. Wil-
kins, senior, in an essay printed in the Archaeologia, vol. xii. and in the accom-
panying plates, has pointed out all the features, proportions, and arrangements of
this Castle, with every appearance of accuracy and certainty, after much investi-
gation. Without such plans it is not easy to explain the arrangement of this keep.
I must, therefore, refer to Mr. Wilkins's prints, and close with a few general remarks.
According to this gentleman, the keep tower was "110 feet 3 inches from east to
west, including a small tower, through which was the principal entrance, and 92 feet
Archa:ologia, vol xii. p. 145.
ARCHITECTURAL ANTIQUITIES.
keep-tower was erected by that nobleman. Mr. Wilkins thinks it " most probable
that the present Castle was built by Canute, the Danish monarch. Although the
building is of Danish workmanship, it is, notwithstanding, in the taste of architecture
practised by the Saxons long before England became subject to the Danes, and it
is the best exterior specimen of the kind of architecture extant."* Mr. King first
suggested and urged this opinion in his " Observations on Ancient Castles, p. 35,
where he asserts that Norwich Castle is " one of the most complete Saxon remains
in England." The family of the Bigods continued in possession of it, with little
intermission, until Roger Bigod, the fifth in descent, surrendered it to King
Edward III. A.D. 1325. In the year 1375 it was again granted to the Bigods.
Thomas de Brotherton succeeded the Bigods in the constableship of this fort, and it
is conjectured that this governor made some additions and alterations to the Castle.
The annexed print shews the south and west sides of the present edifice : and
also shews that the whole of the exterior surface is ornamented with columns, arched
mouldings, panels, and flat buttresses. The attached building, on the east side, is a
modern county gaol, erected from the designs of John Soane, Esq. architect. A
bold and grand bridge, of one arch, is thrown across the fosse, on the south side,
facing which was the original entrance to the keep, up a flight of steps, on the out-
side of the tower, as at Rising. This keep was raised on a natural eminence, which
was surrounded by three deep ditches, and as many banks : but all these, except
the inner one, are now levelled. The approach from the south was conducted along
the brow of a natural terrace. There appears to have been a barbican, with fortified
towers projecting beyond, and guarding the outer bridge. Two other bridges, each
probably fortified, intervened between the outer barbican and the keep. The latter
has been so much altered, by adapting it for a county prison, that it is impracticable
to ascertain the original arrangement and division of the floors, &c. Mr. Wil-
kins, senior, in an essay printed in the Archaeologia, vol. xii. and in the accom-
panying plates, has pointed out all the features, proportions, and arrangements of
this Castle, with every appearance of accuracy and certainty, after much investi-
gation. Without such plans it is not easy to explain the arrangement of this keep.
I must, therefore, refer to Mr. Wilkins's prints, and close with a few general remarks.
According to this gentleman, the keep tower was "110 feet 3 inches from east to
west, including a small tower, through which was the principal entrance, and 92 feet
Archa:ologia, vol xii. p. 145.