Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/67

Rh teresting pages of discussion, concerning the or guest chambers over the porch, and confers great honour upon Coningsburgh castle, by connecting it with the names of Homer and Menelaus and Ulysses. Unfortunately however, there is nothing but a window at Coningsburgh castle. The height of this room is given approximately by the number of steps which lead to the next floor, (thirty-four,) equivalent to about eighteen feet. The door of ascent (G) is between the fireplace and the large window, the stair is lighted by a loop-hole half way (H), and by another opposite the door at the top (I). The roof is crossed at intervals by massive square projecting ribs, between which the plaster coating still remains.

The third floor is entered by a door over the window of the state room. It is larger in diameter than the chief apartment by about two feet and a half. A smaller double window, with steps and seats similar to the last described (K), affords it but a scanty light, which is not much increased by the narrow loop of the entrance, and what little finds its way out of the chapel. The large window is not so well preserved as the other, and cannot now be approached. This floor having little to fear from hostile attacks, the strength of the walls has been less regarded, three chambers being here formed within their thickness. The nearest of these to the entrance is the beautiful little chapel (L), which is formed in the thickness of the wall, and one of the turrets. It is a very interesting specimen of rather late Norman work, and finished with much care. Its form is a lengthened hexagon, with slender columns (some of which have been destroyed) at the angles to support the vaulting ribs, the effect of which rising from their foliaged capitals is very pleasing. A transverse arch, answering perhaps to the division of nave and chancel, and ornamented with a double chevron moulding, separates the vaulting into two compartments, each of which is crossed by diagonal ribs. These are ornamented in the outer division with a cable moulding of bold character, but if I interpret my note-book rightly, those to the east are different. The diagonal vaulting ribs appear to be stilted, but in this matter the eye cannot always be trusted. The line of the chapel bears S. S. E. E. (magnetic), or about S. E. by E.  E., by the meridian, and at that extremity is lighted by a loop-hole, which answers for a chancel window. It occupies the face of the turret, is deeply splayed and ornamented on the inside by a cable and chevron