Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/242

 THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND. THIRD PERIOD 1400-1542. THE third period of Scotch castellated architecture commenced with the fifteenth century. About that time a few castles began to be erected on a different model from that of the ' keep-tower. These consisted of buildings surrounding a courtyard or quadrangle. The great castle of Doune, built by the Regent Murdoch, Duke of Albany (about 1400-1424), is of this description. The powerful castle of Tantallon, which also belonged to the Duke of Albany, and the rebuilding of Dirleton and Caerlaverock (both destroyed by Edward i.), were likewise carried out on this plan. During the reigns of the first five Jameses the larger castles and royal palaces were all built or enlarged into castles with courtyards or quadrangles. Of these, fine examples existed in the palaces of Lin- lithgow, Stirling, Falkland, Holyrood, and Edinburgh Castle, although most of them have now been greatly altered. The same general features are observable in the earlier and later examples of this period, but the details, whether ornamental or useful, become gradually more refined as time advances. In the earlier castles, such as Doune and Tantallon, one part of the buildings forms a keep ; but it is on quite a different plan from the simple Norman parallelogram. It is larger in extent, and contains increased accommodation on each floor, having towers attached, both for defence, and also to furnish additional apartments. The keep thus forms an independent and commodious residence. It is practically detached from the other portions of the castle. It has a separate entrance, and is capable of separate defence. The other buildings surrounding the quadrangle contain large reception or banqueting halls, the chapel, state- rooms for visitors, the kitchen, offices, etc. The gateway is generally through part of the building. At Doune and Tantallon it passes through the keep under the hall. The long vaulted passage thus formed is useful, inasmuch as it may be strongly