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In 1241 Henry commenced operations upon the outworks of the castle,
and the three towers on the western side of the lower ward--now known
as the Curfew, the Garter, and the Salisbury Towers--were erected by
him. He also continued the walls along the south side of the lower
ward, traces of the architecture of the period being discoverable in the
inner walls of the houses of the alms-knights as far as the tower now
bearing his name. From thence it is concluded that the ramparts ran
along the east side of the upper ward to a tower occupying the site of
the Wykeham or Winchester Tower.
The three towers at the west end of the lower ward, though much
dilapidated, present unquestionable features of the architecture of the
thirteenth century. The lower storey of the Curfew Tower, which has
been but little altered, consists of a large vaulted chamber, twenty-two
feet wide, with walls of nearly thirteen feet in thickness, and having
arched recesses terminated by loopholes. The walls are covered with
the inscriptions of prisoners who have been confined within it. The
Garter Tower, though in a most ruinous condition, exhibits high
architectural beauty in its moulded arches and corbelled passages.
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