INTRODUCTION 40 1STH CENT. CASTLES vaulting was simplified, and was adopted for every floor, so that keeps and towers thus treated were rendered practically fireproof. Fro. 32. Tour ile Jeanne d'Arc, Rouen. Other improvements were rapidly introduced during the great building epoch of the thirteenth century, till at the close of the century we reach the point at which the castle and the palace are combined in one. We have seen above that the great enclosing walls of the enceinte contained originally, besides the keep, only offices hastily constructed in wood, and thrown into the centre of the court so as to allow the military engines to be used close to the curtains. These offices were subsequently built in stone against the walls, and gradually improved upon and joined to one another with covered corridors, till at last they were drawn to- gether so as to form a compact dwelling. Up to this point the castles are more works of military engineering than of architecture, but from the thirteenth century they become fine specimens of domestic architecture. Such castles as Coucy are magnificent residences as well as strong castles, provided with all the apartments necessary for the life of a nobleman living on his domains, and surrounded by his court and garrison. At this period feudalism had reached its height in France. From
