75. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire.

Fireplace in North Tower (13th cent.).

76. Aydon Castle, Northumberland.

Chimney-shaft (cir. 1280).

A sort of compromise between a wall orifice and a chimney-shaft is to be seen at Aydon Castle (Fig. 76), where there are also several simple fireplaces with stone hoods, of about 1280 (Fig. 77, a, b). The wall orifice was, no doubt, found to be insufficient for its purpose, and the chimney-shaft was further developed. It should be borne in mind that not every room was provided with a fireplace; consequently the chimney-shafts were nearly always isolated features; chimney-stacks combining several flues grouped together followed in later years, when it became customary to warm more rooms. As in all other mediæval work, the ornamental treatment of chimneys varied with the changes of style. Of the late Decorated period is that at Northborough (Fig. 78); of yet later date are those in the Vicar’s Close at Wells (Fig. 79), and that at Harringworth (Fig. 80).

77. Fireplaces.