BRITIS CHAP. VI. s The Old Hall, ancient and modern state of ground plan of-traditionary story-tower ancient-sculpture in Old Hall-Lords of the Manor, Geoffrey de Wirce-Mowbray—Nigel D'Albini—Roger D'Albini-Wm. de Romara-William, Roger, Simon, Ermingardis, Robert, William, John, Gerard, Richard, Robert and Thomas Talbot-William and Aymer de Valence-The Comyns, Lords of Badenoch-Henry D'Athol-Thomas, Thomas, Edward, Lord Thomas and Lord William Burgh-Sir William, Willoughby, William, Willoughby, Nevile, Nevile-George, Frances, to Henry Bacon Hickman-Earls of Gainsburgh-Town Hall-Calvinist Meeting House Scots Hall-Pillar'd House-the Bridge-Union Poor House— Church of the Holy Trinity-General Charity School-Spa House -supposed castellated building-tumulus-Infant School-Unitarian Chapel. N° O building in the town better deserves attention than the OLD HALL, as it is usually called, the ancient residence of the Lords of the Manor of Gainsburgh, and which, though evidently constructed at very different periods, must, before the removal of the Hickman family to Thonock Hall, in the neighbourhood, have presented a very imposing appearance; and if not so comfortable or convenient as many of the modern residences of our English gentry, yet from its extent and variety of the accomodation, it was fully equal to other mansions of that period. It forms forms at the present time three parts of a quadrangle, open to the south. The whole front is principally constructed of large oak timber framing; but much of the back part of the building, as well as the whole of both wings, is of brick, very beautifully put together. Part of the front, and perhaps some portion of the west angle, is supposed to have been erected so early as the reign of Stephen, with which its style pretty nearly coincides. As at that period the mansions or castles of the gentry depended for security upon the personal strength of its defenders and a broad and deep ditch, most of them were constructed so as to enable the inhabitants to make a protracted defence. The roofs of many of the houses of that period were covered with lead, the windows glazed; and when the walls were not of ashlar, they were neatly plastered and white-washed on both sides. The doors, floors, and roof were commonly made of oak planks and beams, exactly smoothed and joined, and very frequently finely carved. This is particularly observable here in the passage through the hall to the back part, where the side posts are all finely carved, as well as the arches over the door-ways. Large wooden buttresses, bearing an exact resemblance to the stone ones of the early English architects, are also peculiar to this part of the building. About |