In this reign an undertaking to convey water to the castle from
Blackmore Park, near Wingfield, a distance of five miles, was
commenced, though it was not till 1555, in the time of Mary, that the
plan was accomplished, when a pipe was brought into the upper ward,
"and there the water plenteously did rise thirteen feet high." In the
middle of the court was erected a magnificent fountain, consisting of a
canopy raised upon columns, gorgeously decorated with heraldic
ornaments, and surmounted by a great vane, with the arms of Philip and
Mary impaled upon it, and supported by a lion and an eagle, gilt and
painted. The water was discharged by a great dragon, one of the
supporters of the Tudor arms, into the cistern beneath, whence it was
conveyed by pipes to every part of the castle.
Mary held her court at Windsor soon after her union with Philip of Spain.
About this period the old habitations of the alms-knights on the south
side of the lower quadrangle were taken down, and others erected
in their stead.
Fewer additions were made to Windsor Castle by Elizabeth than might
have been expected from her predilection for it as a place of residence.
She extended and widened the north terrace, where, when lodging
within the castle, she daily took exercise, whatever might be the
weather.
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