Photo of Bishop's Hall, Bishop's Palace, St. Davids
 In the bishop's hall, looking towards the southeast corner (opposite end of the hall from the last photo). In the 14th century there would have been a wooden screen hiding this southern end from the main part of the hall. The servants would have come in from the passageway and perhaps paused behind the screen before progressing into the hall proper. Here you can climb up to the parapet as the servants would have done. Halfway up there is an alcove with a small window, which afforded an excellent view of the proceedings below. Perhaps one of the palace staff may have sat here in relative secret, watching or listening to the goings-on in the hall. Alternatively, the alcove may have functioned as a pulpit, with one of the cathedral clerics reading to the assembled company. The tiny staircase continues to the roof, providing an even more elevanted viewpoint of the hall as well as the adjacent kitchen. |
