A similar parapet is only known to occur in two other buildings (also attributed to Gower), viz., Swansea Castle and Lamphey Palace, near Pembroke.
We can place the date of the building about 1340, as an ordinance by Bishop Gower, dated May 27, 1342, orders that only certain buildings belonging to the bishop be kept in repair,[97] which includes the palace. Architecturally, the arrangements are excellent. The leading idea is a great quadrangle, but so skilfully broken up with projections that the monotonous rectangular effect of the square gives place to a most pleasing and picturesque variety, and although the main portion is kept about the same height throughout, yet the most dignified chambers are given due prominence and the parts of lesser importance treated with a fit reticence.
The building is raised on crypts, which, however, were evidently used for domestic offices from the windows (once glazed) and the divisions. The vaults are of the plain barrel description, without ribs, although there are some which rather suggest ribs. These vaults do not run longitudinally, as under St. Mary’s Chapel or, indeed, the chapel in the palace; the reason being that divisions, for living purposes, were necessary on both floors.
On entering the quadrangle, which is about 170 feet square, we find a small building immediately to the left which many call the East Chapel. The West Chapel (K)[98] was probably not built till later, and then probably this little one became the Bishop’s private chapel. There are indications of a way through to the ante-room adjoining in the south-west wall, and a passage also leads to the lower floor.
The Bishop’s Hall (I, about 60 ft. by 23 ft.) is approached from the quadrangle by seven modern steps and a porch with a semi-octagonal arch. The point of the octagon is at the centre of the opening, and resembles that leading to the rood-loft in the cathedral. The small window in the porch has two five-foil lights.
The Hall was lit by two windows to the north-west and four to the south-east. Possibly the recess, which cuts into the window at the south angle, may have contained the refectory pulpit, and behind it was a passage and stair leading to the minstrels’ gallery.
There was a diagonal entrance (just above the head of the I on plan) leading from the Bishop’s Hall to his Study or private apartment. Just by this entrance there is also a way down. There are two fireplaces and chimneys, and as there are indications of a divisional wall there were probably two rooms, the further of which has a blocked doorway and may have been utilised before the main entrance was built. H is the Kitchen (about 26 ft. by 23 ft.), to the west end of the Bishop’s Hall. This room is very interesting, as it was evidently domed, and later a wall had to be built to support it. The chimney, which was standing in 1857 when Messrs. Jones and Freeman published their book, is now lying in a mass on the floor. As this is a good object lesson to the modern flimsy designers of to-day, the dimensions will not be without interest: flues, 1 ft. 11 in.; outer walls, 1 ft. 3 in., inner, 1 ft.
SECTION OF CHIMNEY.
On the northern side of the kitchen was an aisle leading behind the Great Hall, and so out to the garden.