As the
manor house, it stands near the church; the baronial chiefs who were
always lords of the manor, frequently building, if seldom patronizing,
their village churches.
The mansion is a large, square building, situated in a garden, wherein may
be observed the remains of _aggera_, a moat, terrace, &c.; a river so
shallow that it might be easily forded, flows at the back of the house,
and serves as one boundary to this garden. In the very small inner court,
stands a tower, enclosing a spiral staircase, which leads to the top of
the house; the whole length of the southern front of it is occupied by a
gallery, and the dormitories upon this floor, which communicate with each
other, are hung with old tapestry. The principal entrance is through a
porch and door, which opens immediately into the baronial hall, a curious
place certainly, but slightly differing in arrangement and appearance from
what we had previously seen at Arundel Castle, Haddon Hall, and several
colleges. The oriel window, instead of its usual place at the upper end of
the hall, was situated on one side, very near the corner; in the recess
formed by it, stood the baron's table, not as we had anticipated upon a
dais, but at least so veiled from the vulgar gaze of the retainers who
feasted at a separate board in the apartment, that it answered the purpose
of distinguishing ranks equally well. The hall is paved with red brick,
and has a large, open fire-place, intimating well the hospitable spirit of
former days; its panels, curiously carved, are painted white and brown;
the latter in imitation of walnut wood, is probably a mere coating of
paint drawn over the original panels of that material, to ensure their
preservation.
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