The leading features of a Norman fortress, were a lofty mound of earth encompassed by a very deep ditch. From the summit of the mound rose either a square tower of several stories, or a circular one, which was lower, and of greater diameter. They were usually approached by means of very steep stone stairs on the outside. Other material parts were, the gateway or entrance tower, and the barbican or watch-tower, both of which had a com munication with the keep. Most of the keeps had four stories. In the southern, vaulted with stone, the military engines and stores were deposited. In the walls were placed the winding staircase, the well for water, the large oven, inclosed galleries and chimnies, with an aperture open to the sky, which communicated to the donjon all the light and air it enjoyed : There was also a flue, not more than eight inches diameter, for conveying sound to every part. The state apartment occupied the whole of the third story ; and the staircases leading to it were com modious, and sometimes sufficiently large to admit of military engines. Adjoining the great chamber was an oratory, lighted by a large window. At Rochester Castle, in the ground-floor, there was no light, loop-holes only were allowed in the second, but in the third were three large round-headed arched windows, placed so high as not to be looked through, and so defended by an internal arcade, that no missile weapon could enter or fall with effect. Each floor had communication with the well. The chimnies were capacious, and projected into the room, resting upon small pillars ; and the sinks were contrived in an oblique direction, so that no weapon could enter through them.
Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, was the most eminent castle architect after the conquest. In the Towers of London and Rochester he left models of that sort of archi tecture. During the reign of Henry II. additions were made to the second ballium, the barbican, and entrance tower ; and in these the baron and his family usually re sided, having recourse to the keep only during a siege.
More extended and improved plans were introduced by Edward I. on his return from the crusade, after having seen the castles and fortified cities of the Levant and Holy Land. Conway, in North Wales, affords an exam ple of a fortified town, castle, and palace, being imitated. Caernarvon of a castle and palace only. Edward III. having rendered Windsor a magnificent habitation, was imitated by many of his barons ; and, during the conten tions of the houses of York and Lancaster, these fortified dwellings were rendered peculiarly grand, by the pro jecting turrets which were placed at the salient angles, and the hanging galleries which were constructed over the gateways. These castles and their outworks fre quently occupied several acres of ground. The court was very spacious ; and the halls and state chambers had windows of a magnitude and form similar to those in churches.
During the reigns of Henry the Seventh and Eighth, houses presenting somewhat of a military appearance, but adapted chiefly for private dwellings, were construct ed : Of this kind were Ragland in Monmouthshire, and Thornbury in Gloucestershire. And there were others of a still less military appearance, as Richmond and Nonsuch, Hampton Court and Whitehall.
Some idea of the magnificence of those castles may be formed, by examining Windsor, Warwick, Arundel, and Alnwick. And the effect will be nearer the truth, by recollecting, that, in those times, the immediate retain ers were very numerous ; and that each great castle was the resort of many dependent lords. Magnificence and profusion were their chief characteristics. The revenues of large possessions were wholly consumed in feeding, feasting, and lodging the dependents of the great barons. But when the contentions of the great were extinguish ed, the habits and manners changed, and dwellings were adapted wholly to domestic purposes.
Previous to this time, by Roman manner had been revived in Italy; and andotli ers in that country, applied with success to private dwellings. The first rudiments of it were introduced into England by Holbein, but he was confined chiefly to portals and por ticos ; as in that which was once in Westminster oppo site to Whitehall, also at St James's and Wilton IIouse. After him followed John of Padua, who built the palace of the Protector Somerset in a mixed style. He also fur nished the plan of Long Leate (sec Plate CLXXVIII.) in Wiltshire, for Sir John Thynne, secretary to the pro tector. At Long Leate, the elevation is composed of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, crowned with a ballnstrade.
Holland House, and that of the Marquis of Salisbury at Hatfield, arc perfect specimens of the style which pre vailed during the time of Elizabeth and James I. The characteristics arc, very large apartments, galleries of great length, cornices and ceilings heavy and formed in to deep compartments, halls frequently occupying the whole height of the house, very large square windows divided by stone mullions, and parapets composed of pe diments of various and singular forms. John Thorpe was the most eminent architect of this age : Burleigh House is his design.
About this time the attention of the public was attract ed by a treatise we itten by Sir H. Wotton, upon the ex cellence of the Roman style as revived by Palladio ; and Inigo Jones succeeded in introducing it into private as well as public edifices. From his genius and taste we have not only derived the Roman style, but, what is of more real importance, the convenience and comfort which distinguishes English dwellings. The Queen's House in Greenwich Park, Lindsay House in Lincoln's-Inn Fields, the east and south sides of Castle Ashbey, Lord Radnor's House at Coleshill, Berks, Stoke Park in North amptonshire, and the Grange in Hants, arc known to be from his designs.