Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/29

FRENCH EXAMPLES cut in the chalk rock, which surrounded the enceinte, and the crest of which was fortified with a strong palisade. The dotted lines indicate the probable finish of the top of the keep, and the ruins of the bridge which crossed the ditch from the postern are also visible. There are numerous sub-ways cut in the chalk rock under the wall of the enceinte, some of which are now visible from the exterior. These were intended to counteract the mining operations of the besiegers. It will be observed that the keep is so placed as to touch the wall of the enceinte.

Beaugency (Fig. 3), on the Loire, is another French keep of great size and height, belonging to the eleventh century. The narrow projecting buttresses are unusual features, but somewhat resemble those of Arques. The mullioned windows, which are large compared to the Norman openings, are evidently insertions of the sixteenth century. The entrance door is on the first floor, without any forework.

The keep of the ancient royal castle of Loches (Indre et Loire) is large and imposing.

The pilasters on the faces (Fig. 5) are of a form unusual in castles, but more frequent in Ecclesiastical Architecture. The forework is also of peculiar form, being here developed so as to form a building of the L-plan (Fig. 4), so often adopted in later castles.

. 4.—Loches Keep. Plan of Basement.

There has been an external flight of steps up to the door of the forework, which was on the first-floor level. The forework itself forms a vestibule, with a staircase to the second or principal floor running round the walls on three sides, the steps being partly overhung. There was also a door to the first floor from the vestibule. The basement floor of