DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32038#0044
12
HERST-MONCE AUX CASTLE, SUSSEX.
Monceaux Castle.* We find a great similarity of style, as well as materials.
Oxborough has a little advantage in height, whilst Herst-Monceaux considerably
exceeds it in breadth, and has altogether a much more warlike appearance.
The characters of the hall and the castle are finely contrasted in these examples
of old English architecture.
The approach to the castle was made by an arched bridge, with a draw-
bridge suspended in front of the gates. The lofty arch in the centre covers a
row of holes pierced through the floor of the upper chamber. These were
designed for the annoyance of assailants; and the embattled parapets were
pierced with similar openings between the corbels for the like purpose. Between
the windows of the upper chamber appears the banner of the founder, wrought
in bold sculpture; it is supported by the great wolf-hound, the family badge,
which was also painted in many of the windows.
Plate IV. Section of the Great Gateway, &c.
This section, together with the plans and elevation shewn in the two pre-
ceding Plates, will give complete information as to the proportions and size of
the building; and the principal mouldings on the arches of the doorways, fire-
places, &c. will be found described at large, with the centres of their respective
curves. The narrow perpendicular opening in the thickness of the front wall
appears as if intended for the reception of a portcullis; but that piece of defence
was omitted, the drawbridge being probably thought equivalent.f
Plate V. Nos. 1 and 2. In the upper half of this Plate are shewn the
interior and exterior forms of one of the loop-holes in the front towers of the
gateway. Each of the three floors is furnished with such apertures in form of a
cross, but the lower ones alone have the addition of a round hole below the
cross. These seem to have been intended for the use of the old-fashioned
matchlock guns, which required to be laid nearly level when fired, being sup-
ported by a sort of fork. Tbe cross-loops above were better adapted to the use
of bows. No. 3 gives the sections ofmouldings and other details in the window
immediately over the entrance, which is finished with great neatness.
* See “ Examples of Gothic Architecture,” vol. i. p. 45, with the accompanying plates.
f The upright grooves on each side of the lower window were made to receive the levers by
which it was drawn up. These levers are shewn, with the chains attached to them, in Buck’s view
before referred to.
HERST-MONCE AUX CASTLE, SUSSEX.
Monceaux Castle.* We find a great similarity of style, as well as materials.
Oxborough has a little advantage in height, whilst Herst-Monceaux considerably
exceeds it in breadth, and has altogether a much more warlike appearance.
The characters of the hall and the castle are finely contrasted in these examples
of old English architecture.
The approach to the castle was made by an arched bridge, with a draw-
bridge suspended in front of the gates. The lofty arch in the centre covers a
row of holes pierced through the floor of the upper chamber. These were
designed for the annoyance of assailants; and the embattled parapets were
pierced with similar openings between the corbels for the like purpose. Between
the windows of the upper chamber appears the banner of the founder, wrought
in bold sculpture; it is supported by the great wolf-hound, the family badge,
which was also painted in many of the windows.
Plate IV. Section of the Great Gateway, &c.
This section, together with the plans and elevation shewn in the two pre-
ceding Plates, will give complete information as to the proportions and size of
the building; and the principal mouldings on the arches of the doorways, fire-
places, &c. will be found described at large, with the centres of their respective
curves. The narrow perpendicular opening in the thickness of the front wall
appears as if intended for the reception of a portcullis; but that piece of defence
was omitted, the drawbridge being probably thought equivalent.f
Plate V. Nos. 1 and 2. In the upper half of this Plate are shewn the
interior and exterior forms of one of the loop-holes in the front towers of the
gateway. Each of the three floors is furnished with such apertures in form of a
cross, but the lower ones alone have the addition of a round hole below the
cross. These seem to have been intended for the use of the old-fashioned
matchlock guns, which required to be laid nearly level when fired, being sup-
ported by a sort of fork. Tbe cross-loops above were better adapted to the use
of bows. No. 3 gives the sections ofmouldings and other details in the window
immediately over the entrance, which is finished with great neatness.
* See “ Examples of Gothic Architecture,” vol. i. p. 45, with the accompanying plates.
f The upright grooves on each side of the lower window were made to receive the levers by
which it was drawn up. These levers are shewn, with the chains attached to them, in Buck’s view
before referred to.