The terrace at this time, as it is described by Paul Hentzner,
and as it appears in Norden's view, was a sort of balcony projecting
beyond the scarp of the hill, and supported by great cantilevers of
wood.
In 1576 the gallery still bearing her name, and lying between Henry the
Seventh's buildings and the Norman Tower, was erected by Elizabeth.
This portion of the castle had the good fortune to escape the
alterations and modifications made in almost every other part of the
upper ward after the restoration of Charles the Second. It now forms
the library. A large garden was laid out by the same queen, and a small
gateway on Castle Hill built by her--which afterwards became one of the
greatest obstructions to the approach, and it was taken down by
George the Fourth.
Elizabeth often hunted in the parks, and exhibited her skill in archery,
which was by no means inconsiderable, at the butts. Her fondness for
dramatic performances likewise induced her to erect a stage within the
castle, on which plays and interludes were performed. And to her
admiration of the character of Falstaff, and her love of the locality, the
world is indebted for the "Merry Wives of Windsor.
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