Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/503

 LINLITHGOW PALACE 483 THIRD PERIOD The oldest portion (as above mentioned) is probably enclosed within the existing walls at the south-west corner. The plan of the ground floor (Fig. 413) shows that there are at this point old walls inside the present outside walls, that on the south side having been clearly added in order to continue the south wall of the chapel straight along to the south-west corner. The architectural details of the various other parts of the building correspond with the dates above assigned to each. The north side, as we shall afterwards see, was rebuilt by James vi., but was probably originally one of the oldest parts of the building. The groined vaulting and bow window at the north-west angle (Figs. 414 and 415) and the vaulting of the cellar beneath, together with the vaulting of the buttery at the north-east angle (which was altered in James vr.'s time), indicate a date pretty early in the fifteenth century. The same remarks apply to the principal parts of the east and south fronts. The ornaments of the fireplace of the great hall, as well as those of the original entrance gateway, both to the 'exterior and on the side next the courtyard, and the carved work of the chapel and its windows, all belong to a period anterior to the first introduction of the Renais- sance style, which, as we find at Stirling, probably occurred about the year 1500. The principal entrance to the castle (Fig. 41 6) was originally from the east. The entrance passage passes under the great hall, and is defended with three folding gates and a portcullis. It has also been provided with a drawbridge, which fell on an outer wall strengthened with towers. It is sometimes supposed that these towers are the remains of the " Pele mekill and stark " erected by King Edward. The round form of the towers (Fig. 417), and the fact that they are connected with a wall of enceinte, have probably led to this view ; but the towers are too small and the walls too thin to represent the round towers of an Edwardian castle ; besides, they strongly resemble in character and details similar round towers built by James in. at Stirling. The loopholes in both are also similar in style. The towers appear rather to have been part of the outer wall, which no doubt surrounded the whole palace, and of which traces are to be seen at several places. Such walls were usual in similar buildings ; those of Borthwick with its great round tower, Craigmillar, Doune, and Threave, where the round towers are not unlike those of Linlithgow, may be referred to. In this case the enclosing wall probably extended on the south side as far as the churchyard, and joined the detached gateway which forms the town entrance (see Fig. 413). The entrance passage leads into a spacious courtyard 90 feet from east to west, by 87 feet from north to south. To the left of the main entrance is the guard-room, from which there is a square hatch in the floor, giving access to the dungeon below. A