Leeds Castle

( 148 ) LEEDS CASTLE. BY CANON SCOTT EOBERTSON. LEEDS CASTLE was one of the Royal residences, during more than 250 years, in the Middle Ages. It often formed part of the dower settled upon England's Queens-consort; and several of them have dwelt within its -walls. Its position was one of great strength, as it occupied three distinct islands, and was approached by six or seven drawbridges. Permanent bridges have replaced them all, for sixty years or more, but the sites of those ancient drawbridges are marked on the annexed Plan. The OUTEE BAEBICAN, now in ruins, contained the water-mill of the Castle, and stood upon the edge of the mainland. Several of its massive walls and arches remain, and are passed by every visitor who enters the Castle. Those who approach from the Maidstone road can walk through the ruins. The date of their erection is problematical. Perhaps some portions of them were built in the thirteenth century, and others in the fourteenth. The LOTEE BAEBICAN occupied the first, or southern, island. I t was approached by means of three drawbridges, corresponding with the roads from Maidstone, Leeds, and Lenham respectively. Prom this Inner Barbican the present road of entrance passes over a stone bridge of two arches. While these arches are themselves comparatively modern, the central pier between them, and their two abutments north and south are the ancient supports of the original drawbridges. The northern abutment of the bridge stands on the second, or central, island, which is about 500 feet long, but less than 300 feet broad. Here we see the GATEHOUSE,* with the Constable's chamber over the gateway, and its guard-rooms on either side. One doorway of stone, in an upper room of this gatehouse, bears Early English chamfer-stops of the time of Henry III. , or even, it may * The gatehouse is now utilized for a lodge, stables, coach-houses, apple lofts, and other rooms, Nos. 43 to 48 on the Plan. OlD V\ CASTLE REFERENCE \ MAIN BUILDING Great Hull M 0 A T t lli.U and Stinrivu* 3 SnaJt Drinvtnq .-'.<• n< (. large fhyatiruf Jiwm. 5. Library i Study I*. (VdtM U tabula <>' Smalt thrunif lUcm It Uir,fr .OllUHjf lliwm it /tvUOff tt Hm.I Bia2*rt fta> :/>;,,, 17 Stntoits W I'-. •(':• •'-'• • Rwn ''.'' Slu't iiivm AS XmA Aoem. Zi % Ttiwrr % NORl H WING "OLD CASTLE II'/.' 1h*tr B«J* Sou flru** Miiuii II,-.-:.. l/airj Lard. Km China, Sndbry KUriun China i'..-;•< and. Ant Urim flu..- Sttftri Stunt Ratm. •itUI /ft fin Ucua* i'nfiiri Hum Vmalt Eiuhtrt I N N E R M O A T MAIDENS lUWffi ,W /t'r: Hi if. i:i.,:itr\ Ma