INTRODUCTION 48 14TH CENT. CASTLES prominent feature in every dwelling, and it was then arranged exactly as it has continued to be till the present day in the halls of the various Colleges and Inns of Court. It had a raised dais at one end, with lofty oriel window, and communicated with the lord's apartments and the chapel. At the other end was the screen, made of wood, which formed the passage from the entrance, and over which was situated the minsti-els' gallery. The screen was frequently richly carved and ornamented. At the opposite side of the screen from the hall were generally three doors the central one leading to the kitchen, while the side doors led, one to the pantry, the other to the buttery. In the screens was placed a lavatory for washing hands, and sometimes also a stone sideboard, both of which were often highly enriched. The dais and private rooms were sometimes adorned with tapestry hangings, which were introduced in the fourteenth century. FIG. 38. Warwick Castle. The hall was generally heated by a large hearth in the centre^ the smoke escaping by the louvre in the roof. The hall was either on the ground floor or first floor (with cellars under), but always had an open timber roof. It had either a porch at the entrance or an outside stair, as required, the latter having a penthouse roof.
