Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/532

 THIRD PERIOD 512 RESIDENCE OF THE KNIGHTS yard adjoining the entrance, of which a view is given looking through the archway towards the street (Fig. 437). The basement floor was vaulted, and extended along both sides of the court, and no doubt contained the kitchen and offices. On the first floor on the west side was the great hall, which was the most interesting part of the building. It contained a beautiful fireplace, with finer mouldings and better carving than are generally found in the castles or mansions of Scotland (Figs. 438 and 439). This fireplace was about 9 feet wide and 5 feet 10 inches in the height of the opening. The lintel was a double one, composed of three stones (Fig. 440), fitted together with radiating joints; and, in order to strengthen this lintel, a malleable iron bar, FIG. 440. Section through Hall. 1^ inch by If inch, was checked into the soffit, having a rest on the jambs at each end (Fig. 439). This bar was undoubtedly a part of the original construction of the fireplace, and is interesting as being a rare example of iron used in this manner before modern times. The jambs consisted of the bead and hollow mouldings, with carved caps and a peculiar base, which will be understood from the drawings. On the sloping hood of the fireplace there were three, beautifully carved brackets, probably meant for holding figures or lamps. The hall had also one of the few remaining open-timbered oak roofs in Scotland,