who were stationed there only in times of great peril.

Passing the vallum, or outer defence, they ascended a narrow staircase
outside the keep, where the cringing serfs were admitted by four of the
lord's Norman bowmen, who ushered them into the audience-chamber. Some
of the Thane's men were habited in coats of mail, made of small pieces
of iron, cut round at the bottom, and set on a leathern garment, so as
to fold over each other like fish-scales, the whole bending with the
greatest ease, and yet affording a sufficient protection to the wearer.

The chamber of audience was situated at the uppermost part of the keep,
and great was the apprehension of the intruders, whilst following their
guides through the winding passages and gloomy staircases leading to the
inner cell occupied by their chief. The disposition of the armed
men,--their warlike habiliments, and the various and uncouth weapons
which seemed to threaten terror and defiance, were all objects to them
of apprehension and distrust. The walls of this gloomy apartment were
lined with thin bricks, ornamentally disposed in herring-bone work,
after the fashion of the time. The windows, though narrow on the
outside, were broad and arched within, displaying a rude sort of taste
in their construction. Round the walls were groups of weapons,
ostentatiously displayed; two-edged broadswords; long spears, some
barbed and others flat and broad; shields, the oldest of which were
large, and had a sharp point projecting from the centre; others, of the
Norman and more recent fashion, were smaller, and of an oval shape.
Battle-axes, lances, and javelins, were strewn about in formidable
profusion. Hauberks, or chain-mail, hung at intervals from the walls,
looking grim and stalwart from their repose, like the headless trunks of
the warriors they had once encompassed.