Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/480

 THIRD PERIOD 460 EDINBURGH CASTLE than now, the heightening having apparently been done subsequently to the time of Gordon's map in 1647. Dr. Chambers gives reasons for believing that the upper floors of this building were used as State prisons in the eighteenth century. The northern part of this wing is in fair preservation, and, as above mentioned, bears the date 1615, with which date its style corresponds, being somewhat similar to that of Heriot's Hospital and the Old Parlia- ment House. The mouldings and other details (Fig. 401) have not escaped from the effects of the subsequent sieges by Cromwell and others, to which the Castle was subjected ; but as none of these were of a very serious character, the buildings erected after the date of the Regent Morton have suffered more from violence from within than from without. This block contains the Regalia Room, which appears to have been constructed as a strong- room for keeping these insignia in safety. The vaults below the east wing seem to be ancient, and to have survived Drury's siege, more modern buildings having, been erected partly on the top of them. On the north side of the quadrangle stood originally the Garrison Church, founded as early as the time of David i., but it seems to have been rebuilt shortly before 1366, by David n., as there is an entry of pay- l v t ment of .10 to the chaplain of St. Mary's Chapel, newly constructed. This chapel was dedicated to St. Mary, and was quite distinct from St. Margaret's Chapel. Maitland describes it as a very long and ancient church, and as being in his day used as a magazine and armoury. Its appearance in 1750 is seen in Sandby's view (Fig. 389), the gable appearing over the centre of the Half-moon Battery. As the block of buildings now stands, it is a specimen of the handiwork of the late R. W. Billings. The buildings on the west side of the courtyard are evidently very modern, probably about the beginning of last century, and contain nothing of importance architecturally. We now pass to the northern portion of the upper platform, on which the little Chapel of St. Margaret has stood uninjured through all the various shocks and changes which have so altered all the other features of the Castle. But it has suffered severely at the hands of those Fio. 401.-Edinburgh Castle. Details, East Side of Courtyard.