The walls of the principal chambers were often lined with carved wainscoting in panels, which were small, and mostly of what is termed the linen pattern ; sometimes they were enriched with carved work in the shape of ciphers, cogni zances, chimeras, mottoes, &c.
The windows of this style are usually square-headed, divided into lights by mullions and transoms, the latter being frequently enriched with a series of small battlements on the. top, and the lights arched and cusped.
The following examples will serve to afford some idea of the general character of the buildings of this period : Hampton Court Palace, commenced in 1511, was erected by Cardinal Wolsey ; it is a very magnificent building, comprising no less than five courts. in the centre of the entrance-front is a square tower, flanked by an octagonal turret at each angle, which rises above the general elevation of the tower ; in the lower story is the grand gateway, with obtuse-pointed or Tudor arch, over which in front and rear is a rich oriel window. The walls are crowned by battle ments of open work, and each turret is terminated by an octagonal roof, the contour being a curve of contrary flexure.
On the right and left of the tower the buildings are partly modernized, but at each extremity is one of the old gables, the raking cornices of which are ornamented with figures of griffins. From these extremities wings project towards the front at right angles to the body of the building. The first quadrangle, which is entered by the above gateway, con sists of the dwelling-house, the walls of which are crowned with embattled parapets; the windows are square-headed, and the doors covered by plain arches. In the centre of the side of this quadrangle, which is opposite to the grand entrance, is another tower similar to, but smaller than the first, and flanked by rectangular battlemcnted turrets ; through this tower is an arched passage leading into the second quad rancde, and over it an oriel window.
The second quadrangle is smaller than the first, the left side being occupied by the grand hall, which is covered by a lofty roof; the walls are strengthened by buttresses, and the windows, which are pointed, are divided by mullions carried perpendicularly to the head. The right-hand side of the court is occupied by a colonnade designed by Sir Chris topher Wren. In the third side is a tower in a line with the two previously mentioned, containing a passage leading to the third quadrangle, the ceiling of which is enriched with delicate fan-tracery. The third quadrangle is surrounded by
an arcade supporting the fronts of the buildings; the walls of which are of red and dark brick set in diamond patterns, and are crowned with plain and perforated battlements. This court was modernized in the reign of William Ill. The windows of the ancient building are distributed without res pect to symmetry ; the frames are rectangular, and in general of greater width than height; they arc divided vertically by one or more mullions, and some by transoms running across at about mid-height ; the lights are obtusely arched at the head.
The timber-roof of the hall is of very good construction, and of beautiful design. Each frame is formed by two inclined principals, separated by a straining-pieee at top, and tied together at about mid-height by a collar-beam ; a hammer beam at the bottom of each principal projects for about a quarter the entire width of the hall, and is supported at the extremity by a curved brace resting on a wall-post, which again is supported on a corbel at some distance below the top of the wall. The extremity of the hammer-beam carries a pendant, and above it springs a curved rib which meets one from the opposite side of the roof; immediately under the centre of the collar-beam, and thus forms an obtuse-pointed arch. The contour of the roof, as seen from below, will therefore present the appearance of a trefoil ; it is enriched with pierced panelling, and other carved work.
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire, was commenced about 1511 ; the parts at present existing, having been built in the reign of Henry by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buck ingham, who was engaged on it for ten years, but was not suffired to live to complete it. " The towers at the entrance to the inner court are bold in design ; the projecting machico lations, still preserved, arc very good examples. The bay windows of the gri!at hall are beautifully composed ; the plans of the upper and lower parts vary, the one being a combination of five semi-eircles of four lights in each, whilst the latter is angular, and more solid in construction." The great oriel window is very beautiful, as are also the enriched chimney-shafts, fire-places, &e., illustrations of which will be found in Pagia's Examples.