Thus the cultivated and enclosed valley was everywhere shut in with woods and hills.
The isolated round hill on which the castle stood was itself enclosed with a second stockade; the edge of the brow above that again was defended by a stout high wall of flints and mortar, crenellated at the top.

There were no towers or bastions.

An old and ivy-grown building stood inside the wall; it dated from the time of the ancients; it had several gables, and was roofed with tiles.

This was the dwelling-house.
The gardens were situated on the slope between the wall and the inner stockade.

Peaceful as the scene appeared, it had been the site of furious fighting not many years ago.