Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/304

 2-Z-Z NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. by the forces employed for its destruction. It possesses few associations with historical events. " Generally, its series of concentric defences, and the general disposition of its constituent parts, resemble those of Conway, Harlech, Beaumaris, and other structures known to have been erected in the reigns of the first or second Edward. Nor is the style of architecture employed at Caerphilly less decisive. The drop arch, the perfectly plain rib, the general absence of decorations and armorial bearings, and plain battlements, and the absence of machicolation, indicate generally the same period. The columns of the hall doorway, the concave moulding of their pedestals, the triple cluster of columns forming the corbels of the roof, their bell capitals, and light cap moulding, are due to the Early English style, from 1189 to 1307. On the other hand, the pomegranate mouldings, the rich, though somewhat stiff, canopies of the door and windows, the little pilasters in the windows with the pentagonal capitals, the ogee arches, and the plain fillet running up the columnar corbels of the roof, are marks all belonging to the Decorated style which prevailed from 1307 to 1377." He then instances other examples of the mixture of these two styles, in Bristol Cathedral, and Keynsham Church, and proceeds thus: — " The internal evidence of the building, which would place its date abont the end of the reign of Henry III., agrees with the evidence of records cited hereafter, in which the castle is referred to. in the year 1272, as having been latelv erected bv Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford." This paper is illustrated by a ground plan which, though not strictly accurate in all its minute details, may be considered, we believe, generally correct, and a view of the restored elevation of the castle.'' From the above notices and extracts, our readers may form a notion of the practical working and success of this Association in the examination of the British, Roman, ecclesiastical and medieval antiquities of Wales ; and while some of its members are thus active in the field, those who remain at home are not idle. Hence we find throughout these volumes documents, charters, and other ancient evidences with some historical essays. Among the former, we may notice the valuable collections contributed by W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., relatingto Harlech ("vol. i., 246 ; vol. iii., 49) and the Bulkeley MSS., published by permission of Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley, relating to the civil war, consisting chiefly of letters addressed by active leaders on either side, to various correspondents ; but principally to the representative of the Bulkeley family then living (vol. i.. 326, 385) ; the proceedings before the Commissioners appointed by the lords of the lordship of Bromfield and Yale, and statutes and ordinances made at the great court of that lordship holden at Castle Lleon, An" 7° Edward IV., 1467 (beginning vol. ii., p. 147). Among the latter we notice Mr. Hartshorne's contributions, entitled "Councils and Parliaments of Shrewsbury," In conclusion, we congratulate the Association on the result of their labours. There is still a wide field for exertion ; and we trust that the value of such a society may every year be more and more appreciated by those who desire to become acquainted with national antiquities and historj in every part of the realm ; and that, with the rapid growth of public interest in such inquiries, the Society will increase in influence and energy, and receive that support and sympathy both in Wales and the kingdom at large, which it so well merits. ' Tliis interesting illustration is given also in Archaeological Journal, vol. i., p. 1 03.