Image Description (Alt text): An artist's illustration of the glorriette before it was destroyed after the Civil War.
Audio track transcript:
"Hark at her grumbling! If she thinks being a princess is hard, she should try being a mason!
Right, listen. You’ve just walked into the ‘Gloriette’, a royal palace. In normal times people like us wouldn’t even get past the gatehouse, so don’t go getting ideas. King John had it built for a small fortune, even though he was always on the road – only spent 33 days here in his life.
Imagine a decorated great chamber, and staterooms around a courtyard. The tallest wall ahead was part of a hall range – see the arched doorway that opened into it? To the right, you can see the remains of a vaulted undercroft. And there was a kitchen behind you, with two ovens – now buried beneath the rubble.
We were the best workmen in the land. Picture black and white chequered paintwork, peppered with red. Close your eyes, breathe in the luxury. I was paid £125 for my work on the corbels and windows. Mason Philip Scroyle, right pleased to meet you.
Actually, this whole place was often a building site. Carpenters, plumbers, labourers, masons. I’ve seen one account showing 759 oak logs, 50 tonnes of lead and stone, and 27,000 nails were brought into the castle! A lot of this is made from Purbeck Limestone – hauled across Corfe Common from open-cast quarries three miles south, using horses and carts, or sledges.
Why don’t you head to the Bastion now, and look over that landscape. You’ve spent too long in the palace."