EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE OF THE

Ground Plan of the Siege,

CASTLE, &c.

1 Round Tower.

2 Red Tower.

3 Treasurer's or Pix Tower.

4 Swillington Tower.

5 Queen's Tower.

6 King's Tower.

7 Constable's Tower.
8 East Gate House.

9 South Gate.

10 Main Guard.

11 Barbican.

12 All Saints' Church.

13 St. Nicholas' Hospital.

BESIEGER'S WORKS.

14 Major General Lambert's Fort Royal.

15 Horse Guard.

16 Horn Work,

17 Pinfold Guard.

18 Main Guard.

19 School House Guard.

20 Fairfax's Royal Horn Work.

21 North Horn Work.

22 Colonel Bright's, Fort.

23 Lieutenant General Cromwell's Fort.

24 Colonel Dean's Fort.

25 Tanalian Guard.

26 East Guard.

27 Baghill Guard.

PART II.

CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT

OF THE

PRIORY,

RELIGIOUS-HOUSES,

CHURCHES, HOSPITALS, CHARITIES, &c.

THE PRIORY OF ST. JOHN.

IN taking a survey of the most remarkable

places which are, or have been, within this borough, the priory of St. John, deserves our first attention. Although nothing remains to give a complete idea of the extent or beauty of this structure, we may justly conclude from the liberality of its founder, the donations conferred upon it, and its general reputation, that it was a place of considerable extent and importance. The plot of ground, now called Monkhill, and which continues extra-parochial, clearly ascertains the grange and the homestead of the priory. If it did not equal the abbies, in the Gothic magnificence of its church, and in the number and grandeur of its separate apartments and offices, there can be little doubt but it was built on a similar plan. The fol

lowing description of such houses may lead the reader to form a tolerably correct idea of what this priory once was,

The first appendage of these houses was the clansum or close, varying in dimensions, according to the dignity of the house, surrounded by a high wall, entered by one or two magnificent gateways; and that such a wall once surrounded the ground above mentioned, called Monkhill, there can be no doubt. Beyond the inclosure the monks were not permitted to walk or ride, but on the necessary business of the house.

Within the close were included all the appendages of a large domain, occupied by the owners, as a grange, or farm house, barns, stables, mill, &c. The reason of this is obvious, and was for the protection of their property.

Next was the house itself, situated generally in the lowest and warmest part of the inclosure, consisting usually of a large quadrangular court, into which the various offices and apartments opened; and to all these a warm and sheltered access in every season was provided, by means of a penthouse cloister surrounding the whole.

The north side of this quadrangle was formed by the nave of the church, and was intended by its height and bulk to afford shelter from the north, as well as to admit sunshine into the cells of the monks.

Attached to the end of the south transept, and with it forming in part the east side of the quadrangle, was the vestry, and in the large monasteries, the chapter house. The chapter house was often highly ornamented, and consi

dered as a part of the church. Here all elections were made,-hence commenced all processions after elections, and here all arts of discipline were performed.

Opposite to the church, and forming the south side of the quadrangle, were universally placed, the refectory, or dining room, locutorium, or parlour, kitchen, butteries, sculleries, &c.

The western side consisted generally of the dormitory, or bed rooms, on the higher story, often supported by a line of columns beneath, which branching out into groined arches formed a magnificent and gloomy walk.

This part was immediately connected with the south-west corner of the church, in order that the monks might pass to their late or early devotions with the least possible exposure to the external air *.

Whether this description will altogether apply to this priory it is impossible to determine. On examining the site, in the field called the Grange, the rising ground points out the south side of the quadrangle, and the level area from thence north clearly indicates that the church and different apartments were extensive.

The priory was founded by Robert de Lacy, usually called Robert de Pontefract, in the year 1090, during the reign of William II. for the health of the soul of King William the Conqueror, and also for the souls of Ilbert his father, Hawise his mother, and of all his ancestors and posterity.

The abby of Clugny, in France, enjoyed at

* WHITAKER'S Whalley, and BURTON's Abby of Fountaines.

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