by two circular ditches, one fifteen feet and the other thirty feet distant from its walls.  Between the two ditches was a circular wall with parapet and battlements.  The interior of the castle was divided into three floors; the towers, exclusive of the turrets, had five, two of which were entresols, and were ninety-six feet high, the central keep being seventy feet.[19] The oven was at the top of the keep.  The chapel is one of the most interesting chambers, with its original altar still in position, though much damaged, and also piscina, aumbrey, and ciborium.  This castle nearly vanished with other features of vanishing England in the middle of the eighteenth century, Lord Hereford proposing to pull it down for the sake of the material; but “it being a necessary sea-mark, especially for ships coming from Holland, who by steering so as to make the castle cover or hide the church thereby avoid a dangerous sandbank called the Whiting, Government interfered and prevented the destruction of the building."[20]

  [19] Cf. Memorials of Old Suffolk, p. 65.

  [20] Grose’s Antiquities.

In these keeps the thickness of the walls enabled them to contain chambers, stairs, and passages.  At Guildford there is an oratory with rude carvings of sacred subjects, including a crucifixion.  The first and second floors were usually vaulted, and the upper ones were of timber.  Fireplaces were built in most of the rooms, and some sort of domestic comfort was not altogether forgotten.  In the earlier fortresses the walls of the keep enclosed an inner court, which had rooms built up to the great stone walls, the court afterwards being vaulted and floors erected.  In order to protect the entrance there were heavy doors with a portcullis, and by degrees the outward defences were strengthened.  There was an outer bailey or court surrounded by a strong wall, with a barbican guarding the entrance, consisting of a strong gate protected by two towers.  In this lower or outer court are the stables, and the mound where the lord of the castle dispenses justice, and where criminals and traitors are executed.  Another strong gateway flanked by towers protects the inner bailey, on the edge of which stands the keep, which frowns down upon us as we enter.  An immense household was supported in these castles.  Not only were there men-at-arms, but also cooks, bakers, brewers, tailors, carpenters, smiths, masons, and all kinds of craftsmen; and all this crowd of workers had to be provided with accommodation by the lord of the castle.  Hence a building in the form of a large hall was erected, sometimes of stone, usually of wood, in the lower or upper bailey, for these soldiers and artisans, where they slept and had their meals.

Amongst other castles which arose during this late Norman and early English period of architecture we may mention Barnard Castle, a mighty stronghold, held by the royal house of Balliol, the Prince Bishops of Durham, the Earls of Warwick, the Nevilles, and other powerful families.  Sir Walter Scott immortalized the Castle in Rokeby.  Here is his description of the fortress:—­