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design, so far as regards the ground-plan, and we have the singular evidence of an early plan worked out in late thirteenth century stonework.

The castle is essentially English in its design, not of the advanced Edwardian type, in which was introduced many new elements derived from French works of military fortification-regularity of plan, prominent machicolations, and such like; but an earlier type of work, evidently accommodated to the then existing state of things. It is this feature which adds materially to the interest of the study of the ground-plan of Denbigh Castle, and its consideration enables us to understand the reason of its difference from the castles at Conway, Beaumaris, Carnarvon, Harlech, etc., all of which are essentially of Edwardian type, very different in arrangement from Denbigh Castle, but yet sufficiently near in date of erection to enable us to refer to them for comparison.

The resemblance of Denbigh to an English castle is, in its general lines, complete. This may be shown by a comparison, say, with Tonbridge Castle, than which a more essentially English castle cannot be found, although there is one feature, and one only, which does not appear at Denbigh. Tonbridge is of early date; strong walls enclosed an inner ballium; an extension of these, as at Denbigh, enclosed the town, which is, in both places alike, built within the outer ballium. At a period subsequent to the foundation, a huge gateway-tower, not unlike that at Denbigh, was erected at the entrance, approached by a drawbridge from within the town, and in this were the best apartments. The steep hill of Denbigh, which adds so materially to the defences, is represented at Tonbridge by the River Medway, and the deep dry ditches of the one are, or were, channels of water in the other. Apart from details, the only real feature which appears at Tonbridge, but not at Denbigh, is the existence of the circular keep on a lofty mound, the latter being the work of an early period. Its

existence in Norman times led to the erection of the stone keep upon it, in place of the palisading which doubtless once existed.

At Denbigh the details of the work indicate many points of resemblance with the other Edwardian castles. The towers agree in shape and plan with the latter; the arrangements of each tower in a series of wellplanned living-rooms are alike; while the peculiar design of a circular tower springing from a square base, with high-pointed stops, are similar in both. Of this arrangement the Burgess Gate affords, perhaps, the most pronounced example in the Principality.

The work at Denbigh calls for special admiration by reason of the very great excellence of the masonry; the stones are admirably cut and worked, while all the details of execution and laying are capital.

The castle proper being planned like an ordinary Norman shell-keep, we should look for a detached chapel for the garrison in the centre of the ballium, where it is described in the Survey, temp. Elizabeth; and, in fact, it is to be traced on Speed's Map. There would be another chapel, doubtless on the first floor in one of the towers; but the place named as the "Chapel" was far more probably a domestic hall.

The Chapel of St. Hilary, in the town, was for the service of the towns-folk. In its dedication we may trace evidence of its existence in times prior to the erection of the present castle, for it is hardly likely that such a dedication would have been adopted had the building been called into being only in Norman times; still less so if only in the thirteenth century. We may rather infer, therefore, that the chapel was in existence at a far earlier time, and that its dedication was retained when the building became the chapel of the English community forming the town. The dedication of a church was very seldom changed, and its consideration will often afford us interesting subject for inquiry.

The planning of the town walls was evidently carried

out by the same architect who erected the castle, and they are so arranged as to form an essential portion of the latter. The similarity of design and workmanship, minor differences being overlooked, is sufficient to justify this statement. Two of the principal features are the Goblin Tower and the Burgess Gateway. The former is one of the most remarkable works of the kind in our country, and its skilful plan, to include the outlying spring outside the line of the town walls, is not a little remarkable. Speed's Map shows it apparently higher than at present, and the same remark will apply to the view of Denbigh Castle which appears in the series by the Brothers Buck. The Burgess Gateway is a fine example of a fortified entrance to a town, and its arrangements being so readily traced, render its study of additional interest. Its large upper chamber has doubtless served as the meetingplace of the burgesses, as in like manner the other authority, that of the lords of the castle, had its seat in the Exchequer Tower. The former appears to have been provided with its prison, which, in fact, is mentioned in the charter of Henry de Lacy.

Reference on a map to the topographical positions of the towns and places claimed as of right by Edward I will indicate how steadily the conquest of North Wales was pursued by the English, the base of operations virtually being Chester.

The plan so usual in the fourteenth century, of giving a separate name to each tower of the castle, is well illustrated by the survival of the names of the towers at Denbigh, although they are less musical to the ear than is frequently the case in other fortresses.

The above most excellent description is contributed by Mr. E. P. Loftus Brock, F.S. A., a gentleman who has devoted much time and thought to archæology, particularly to that branch of it which applies to architecture, and has earned for himself a high reputation for the masterly manner in which he reasons out his views, and is now looked up to as an authority in

matters of old castles, fortresses, etc. I am happy to know that he agrees with me in thinking that the portion of the ruin on the south-east side, frequently called "The Chapel", was much more probably used as "The Banqueting Hall", particularly as he sees indications of another portion of the castle being used for the purpose of a garrison chapel independent of St. Hilary's.

It is difficult always to assign the exact use to which the different towers were put, as it would vary according to requirements. Those in possession at the particular time might require them for defence, and at other times they would be utilised as the official in charge might think fit. In times of war each tower would be seized and defended by the various tenants of the lord holding their lands from him, on the old tenure, either by knightly service or castle guard. This was the usual custom.

The rooms in the different towers in this castle are somewhat more luxurious than others in the Principality, as every room has its fireplace, and every tower its separate entrance.

SURVEY MADE IN THE REIGN OF HENRY VIII.

"The said Castle is built high upon a rock of stone, very stately and beautifully, in a very sweet air, seven miles from the sea; and near to the same Castle are a few houses and a fair chapel, called the Borough of Denbigh.

"The same Borough and Castle being walled about with a strong wall standing high, but in a few places able to be come unto, by reason of the highness of the rock whereupon the said wall standeth. The same wall having two gates with portcullis ; whereof the one is north from the said Castle, and goeth down into the Town of Denbigh, called the Suburbs of Denbigh; and the other Gate is northwest from the Gate of the Castle, and is a fair lodging. Every of the said Gates two stories high. And from the West Gate, straight south, the wall is near the Castle, set for strength, and an outer fortress there to the Castle. And south of the said ...... the wall is also near to the Castle, and

And

two turrets in the same for the defence of the said wall. a little from it is a gate of the Castle, which goeth into a park adjoining to the same Castle, the same gate being three stories high; and before, without the door thereof, a strong bulwark of stone, as well to hide the gate as to strengthen the same.

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And from that gate in the wall is a round tower of two stories high, metely well repaired. And a little from that two other... turrets. And next to the same a very strong tower, being built side the square, three stories high, called the Goblin Hole; and in the same a deep well. And north east from that standeth another square tower called the Countess Tower, which is a fair lodging. And northwest from that another round tower. And plain westward from that the wall extendeth to the North-Gate of the wall aforesaid.

"All the said towers in the wall being decayed in the timberwork, except the two gates and one round tower.

"And the way going forth of the said North Gate lieth in the suburbs of Denbigh, wherein the great number of the Burgesses and inhabitants of the said town doth inhabit, the same being three-quarters of a mile long. And in the High Street there is a fair room, wherein the Market is kept every Wednesday, being well served with grain and victual, fish and wildfowl, the same being the shire town of Denbighshire.

"And south-east from the Castle, adjoining upon the wall, lieth the said park, called the Castle Park, which is a ground very fertile and pleasant, wherein the deer cannot stray (being limited) out of the coverts, but are in divers places within the view of the said Castle; the park being two miles about at least, and hath not above fourteen male deer and thirty does and fawns; the same being able to bear four hundred deer. The keeping thereof is granted by the King's Majesty to one Piers Morton, his Grace's servant for the term of twenty years.

"The said Castle hath two gates, whereof the one is before mentioned; and the other is the common gate, being in the north side of the same Castle,-a fair strong gate with a portcullis, three stories high; the corners of the same made with quoin-stones, and the wall is a fair rough wall. At the said north gate is a draught-bridge, and at the other gate before mentioned two other draught-bridges.

"The said Castle is six square, and hath at every square a strong tower; whereof two of them are three stories high, and the others... stories high. And upon the west part of the said Castle towers of two stories high. All the said towers and wall of the Castle being embattled upon, and every tower and lodging therein very sweet and of good air.

5TH SER., VOL. V.

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