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io6 KIPLING'S SUSSEX
turret are in fair condition. Over the gateway is the badge of the Fieneses, an alant or wolf-dog, holding in his paws a banner charged with 3 lions rampant. The turrets are pierced for 3 tiers of cross-bows loop-holes to command the draw-bridge. Below the lowest tier are holes for the discharge of match-lock guns, which in early times required to be fired almost on a level and from supports.
" The Castle is very nearly square, the N. and S. fronts being 214 feet and the E. and W. 206 feet long, measured from centre to centre of the several towers at the four corners. These corner towers which are octagonal and embattled, rise about fifteen feet above the adjacent battlements. Somewhat similar towers occupy the centre of each of the W., N. and E. fronts, but that on the N. is much dilapidated. Midway between the corner towers and the central towers the uniformity of each front is broken by semi-octagonal embattled projections of the same height as the main building. The southernmost of the projections on the E. front exhibits an oriel window of good proportions, which admitted light to the room known as the ' Lady's Bower.'
" The gateway opens into the Porter's Lodge, portions of the vaulted ceiling of which are still to be seen. The room over is called the ' Drummer's (or Haunted) Tower.' The un-earthly drum of Hurstmonceux is said to have been the invention of a gardener, who sounded it in the interest of certain smugglers by whome the Castle was frequented.
" The Guard-room is situated to the W. of the gateway. Traces remain in the S. wall of the furnaces fitted up for the casting of bullets.
" Under the tower at the S.E. angle is a room, once |
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