Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/493

 STIRLING CASTLE - 473 - THIRD PERIOD with the battlements, is modern. This gateway contained three entrances a wide central one, and a narrow passage for foot-passengers on each side. The central gateway was provided with a portcullis and folding gates at both the outer and inner archway. The entrance passage was vaulted, and there was a room above for working the portcullis. The side entrances seem to have been provided with a portcullis as well as strong doors at both the inner and outer archways. The inner doorway of the eastern passage still preserves the groove for the portcullis, while that on the west side is built up. Both passages are in connection with the round towers adjoining, which formed guard-rooms. The passage on the left on entering has been at a subsequent time converted into a guard- room with a fireplace, and a doorway opened from it into the central passage. The east and west towers are provided with long loopholes commanding the entrance. These towers, both in their general con- struction and in the form of the loopholes, bear considerable resemblance to the outer round towers at the north-east angle of Linlithgow Palace. The latter are sometimes attributed to the time of Edward i., but they have no features which specially connect them with that period, while their general character and the buildings to which they are attached rather point to their being of the time of James HI. The Palace lies to the south-west of the hall, and forms a complete square, with central courtyard. It approaches within 13 feet of the hall, with which it was probably connected by an archway and covered passage, but the present covered archway is modern. The courtyard is 67 feet by 40 feet, and is known as the " Lions' Den," the tradition being that James iv., who was fond of wild animals, kept his lions there. These animals were kept by the King as an emblem of royal state and dignity. The Palace enters from the south-west angle of the inner ward, on the level of the upper floor, where there are a porch and the original door- way, with a sliding bar. This porch gives access to an inner lobby, from which a large apartment opens on the left. This was probably a general reception-room, leading to an inner hall or audience-chamber, and to the King's private rooms beyond. From the entrance lobby a corridor runs along the west side of the quadrangle, lighted with windows towards the courtyard. It has been intended to construct rooms to the west, entering from this corridor, but this has never been carried out. The corridor conducts to a suite of apartments running along the south side of the quadrangle. These appear to have been the more private reception- rooms of the Palace. The first entered may have been the " salon " or drawing-room, and the next the dining-room, the rooms on the east side of the square forming the private apartments of the Royal Family. The apartments of the Palace were all richly carved and decorated, the