Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/190

 142 THE HALL OF OAKHAM. partially to that at Wincliester, and entirely to that in the refectory at Dover. The ancient roof was probably semicir- cular, like that existing still in the bishop's palace at Here- ford. The oldest portions of the present one are two red beams put up by Villiers duke of Buckingham, who also built the gateway. This, the most perfect specimen of domestic architecture of the twelfth century which probably exists in any country, is also one of those monuments whose inte- rest can never become evanescent. It is one which tells the early history not merely of the little county of Rutland, but it carries us back to the habits and usages of our fore- fathers, to a remote period, when there are but scanty mate- rials from which a knowledge of them may be gathered, and thence handed down for the instruction of posterity. CHARLES HENRY HARTSHORNE. THE ROOD-SCREEN, PRIORY CHURCH, CHRIST- CHURCH, HANTS. This screen, of which an elevation was given in the last part of the Archaeological Journal, is a very interesting exam- ple of one of the few which are to be met with in our colle- giate or priory churches. Its design, though simple, is ex- ceedingly effective, owing to the bold and excellent manner in which the parts are executed. The work is probably of the period of Edward HI., and though in past times it has been grievously mutilated, there is. sufficient left to shew how good the effect of the whole must have been when perfect ; indeed it could have been scarcely inferior to any of those which are still preserved to us in some of our cathedrals. This excellent specimen of medieval art is 33 ft. in width and 16 ft. 6 in. in height. In its design it exhibits a plain base, surmounted by a row of panelled qua- trefoils charged with shields. There are thirteen on each side of the choir entrance, and over them is a string-com'se, from which rose a double tier of canopied niches ; five of the low^er range on each side of the doorway still remain, and above the latter are remains of two richly gilt heads of canopies, having shields of arms, now defaced, embedded in foliage.