Fletcher, Banister; Fletcher, Banister: A history of architecture for the student, craftsman, and amateur: being a comparative view of the historical styles from the earliest period (London, 1896)

ENGLISH RENAISSANCE.

267

oak panelling, while above are arranged the trophies of the
chase, the armour and portraits of ancestors, and family
relics and heirlooms.

At one end of the hall, by the entrance, is the carved oak
screen, over which is placed the minstrels’ gallery, while at
the other end is the raised dais with a tall bay-window, the
sill reaching nearly down to the ground. The hall fireplace
is much elaborated, and richly
carved with the coat-of-arms
of the owner, and the timber
roof, of hammer-beam con-
struction, is often elaborately
treated.

ii. The broad staircase

of oak is a special feature,
with its heavily-carved newels,
pierced balustrading, and rich
carving. It is generally placed
in connection with the hall,
and lends to the interior an air
of spaciousness and dignity.

iii. The great gallery on
the first floor, extending the
whole length of the house.

The proportions of this apart-
ment vary considerably from
the hall, in being comparatively
low and narrow in proportion
to the length. The length is i49. Montacute House
relieved by room-like project- (Plan).

ing bays—those at Haddon

Hall being as large as an ordinary room (15 feet by 12 feet),
with stone-mullioned windows, glazed with leaded panes. The
walls are panelled in oak the full height, and the ceiling is
richly modelled in plaster. There is no feature of an old
English mansion more characteristic than these galleries.

The term “picture gallery” is supposed to be derived from
these apartments.

The gallery at Aston Hall is 136 feet long by 18 feet
wide and 16 feet high.