Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/613

 ENGLISH RENAISSANCE. 555 At one end of the hall, by the entrance, is the carved oak screen, over which is the minstrels' gallery, while at the other end is the raised dais with tall bay-window, the sill of which is almost at the floor level. The hall fireplace was much elaborated (No. 250 k), and richly carved with the coat-of-arms of the owner, and the roof (No. 113) either with the timbers showing or formed with plaster panels (No, 241), was elaborately ornamented. The hall in the later period became of less importance as a living room, and was used more as a means of communication. ii. The hroad staircase of oak (Nos. 242 and 244 e) is a special feature, with its heavily-carved newels, pierced balustrading, and rich carving. It was generally placed in connection with the hall, and gives to the interior an air of spaciousness and dignity, its importance being due to the fact that the chief living rooms were often placed on the first floor and therefore demanded an important means of approach. iii. The long gallery on the upper floor (Nos. 131 e and 245 c) often extends the whole length of the house, the proportions varying considerably from the hall in being comparatively low and narrow in proportion to the length. There is no feature of an old English mansion more characteristic than these galleries. It served as a means of communication between the wings of the house, the hall being often two stories in height. The length is frequently relieved by room-like projecting bays — those at Haddon Hall being about 15 feet by 12 feet, with stone-mullioned windows, glazed with leaded panes (No. 243). The walls have usually oak panelling the full height, the ceiling being richly modelled in plaster. The term " picture gallery " is supposed to be derived from these apartments, and below are dimensions of important galleries, some of which belong to the Jacobean period. Aston Hall (a.d. 1618-35) is 136 feet by 18 feet and 16 feet high. Montacute House (a.d. 1580) is 170 feet long by 20 feet 6 inches wide. Hardwick Hall (a.d. 1576- 1597) (No. 245 c) is 166 feet long, 22 feet 5 inches wide and 26 feet high. Charlton House (Wilts) (a.d. 1607) is 130 feet by 22 feet wide. Haddon Hall (a.d. 1589) (No. 243) is 109 feet by 18 feet wide. Moreton Hall (a.d. 1559) is 75 feet by 12 feet 6 inches wide. iv. The itiithdrawing room, or " solar " of Gothic times, a chapel (sometimes), and the bedrooms, were other apartments, the latter increasing considerably in number and importance during this period. An example of an apartment treated with panelling its whole height and with elaborate carved chimneypiece is shown in No. 244 d, from Stockton House, Wiltshire.