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Author
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Topic: whitewash?
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ikmccall
Member
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posted 08-30-2000 05:14 PM
  
I've heard a theory that some castles were whitewashed on the exterior. What do other people think of this theory? I think the whitewashing allowed the castle to be seen from far away. I know the interior walls were often plastered. Do you think these interior walls were whitewashed also? When I was in Donegal Castle in Ireland, the tour guide pointed out some bright paint remnants near the fireplace mantle. Are there more examples of interior (or even exterior) painting in castles? |
Erik Schmidt
Senior Member
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posted 08-31-2000 01:05 AM
Which period are you referring to. There are many castles which retain internal plastering with paintings. I don't know which are the earlies examples.
There are also castles with remnants of external plastering as far as I know. |
wurdsmiff
unregistered
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posted 08-31-2000 08:19 AM
Many castles in Scotland, and elsewhere were coated with a wet-dash known here as harling. This improved the weather proofing of the exterior walls, and varied in colour according to the mix used. In some cases this was close to white. ------------------
'Give me the groves that lofty brave,
The storms, by Castle Gordon'.
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm Gordon. |
Philip Davis
unregistered
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posted 09-02-2000 04:08 PM
As far as I'm aware external whitewashing of walls is not a theory but an archeological fact based on remains, backed up by historical records. I'm sure that the White Tower of the tower of London was limewashed to make this large building an even more impresive statement of Royal power and authority to the citizen of London and the various people who enter London through it's port. There is evidence at South Mymms that the wooden pallisade around the motte of this earthwork castle was plaster with clay and then whitewashed and painted to look like ashlar stone. I'm not aware of any great evidence in most english castles of harling being used to improve weather tightness and whitewashing does seem to have been done in some castle to make the castle look more impressive.I seem to recall that there is some vague remains of interior paintwork both at Scollands Hall at Richmond Castle and at the Hall of Chepstow Castle, these are respectively the oldest stone castle buildings in England and Wales. ------------------
And as I rode by Dalton-Hall Beneath the turrets high, A maiden on the castle-wall Was singing merrily: The Outlaw by Sir Walter Scott
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/members/philipdavis/index.html [This message has been edited by Philip Davis (edited 09-02-2000).] |
Glaive203
Senior Member
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posted 10-24-2000 11:09 AM
external whitewashing was a normal practice with "living castles".The mordar of a castle was subject to decay,weakening the defensive strength of the whole wall,if exposed to the elements.This was not just a practice used on castles;but was common with any building using mortar or clay walls.The interior plastering and painting of walls was common,at least as early as,the norman period |
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