INTRODUCTORY 225 THIRD PERIOD Tantallon, and other instances, the parapets rest on a string-course having the form of continuous corbels. Several examples occur of the use of hoards for the defence of the walls, as at Craigmillar, Arbroath Abbey, Preston, etc. In the later examples of the period the corbels are generally more or less ornamental, and in some instances the originally useful corbels begin to be applied as mere ornaments, as at Craignethan, Edzell, and Leven Castles, where the lower of the two rows of corbels under the parapet carries nothing, and is inserted for ornament only. The parapets have almost invariably rounded open bartizans at the angles, carried on a series of corbels, and a good stone gutter or parapet walk all round the building. Those at Borthwick and Balvaird are well preserved. In the later examples, as, for instance, at Ruthven Castle, the bartizans are beginning to be covered in with a roof, so as to form the angle turret, which became so prominent a feature of the later development of the Scotch style of Architecture. During this period artillery began to be employed in the attack and defence of fortified places ; and we find indications of the early provision made for its introduction into castles in the large embrasures or port- holes so characteristic of the time. There is not usually much ornamentation in the interior. The hall has invariably a large fireplace, the jambs of which are frequently carved with shafts having caps and bases. At Doune Castle the fireplace is double,- and at Linlithgow Palace it is triple, with shafted divisions between. The lintel of the hall fireplaces is moulded, and is sometimes adorned with shields containing coats of arms, etc. In Borthwick and Crichton Castles, and Linlithgow Palace, the fireplaces and other portions of the buildings are unusually richly carved with fifteenth-century foliage. An enriched ambry or a seat is sometimes introduced in the wall of the hall, as at Borthwick, Dirleton, Balvaird, etc. The domestic chapel is not common in the castles of this or the previous period, those of Linlithgow Palace and Craigmillar Castle being somewhat exceptional cases. There are, however, good examples of oratories in window recesses at Doune and Borthwick Castles, and a very fine private oratory occurs at Affleck Castle, Forfarshire. During this period some castles of an exceptional character were erected, such as those of Hermitage and Crookston. These are founded on the general idea of the keep, but they have rectangular towers added at each of the four angles. Other castles, again, are of an intermediate type between the keep and the castles with quadrangles, the main building being extended with towers and wings so as to form an enlarged residence, and these buildings are carried out with a better style of workmanship than the ordinary keeps. Of
