psalm full of associations of battles long ago: sung
against Julian the Apostate, used by Charlemagne, Anthony, Dunstan, and
many more.

{16} Simon of Pershore, if in 1198: and Robert of Caen, if in 1196, but
less likely.

{17} The Wycombe Well is probably the Round Basin, near the Roman Villa,
but the other I am unable to hear news of.

{18} Published by Arber. See chap. xxxvi.

{19} Joi.

CHAPTER VIII

HUGH THE BUILDER

The strong personality of the man, his boldness and sagacity combined,
come out in his building as clearly as in his conduct; but since the
learned are very litigious upon the questions of his architecture, the
reader must have indulgence in his heart and a salt cellar in his hand,
when he approaches this subject.

First of all we must remember that in his age it was part of the
education of a gentleman to know something about building. Hugh's
grandfather must have built the old keep of Avalon Castle, which still
stands above the modern chateau, and a family whose arms are, on a field
or the eagle of the empire sable, were builders, both of necessity and
of choice. When every baron, or at least every baron's father, had built
himself a castle, planned and executed under his own eye; when King
Richard in person could plan and superintend the building of his great
Castle Saucy, the Chateau Gaillard, it is not wonderful that Hugh also
should be ready and willing to do much in stone and mortar. Then, again,
he must have had some architectural training at the Grande Chartreuse.
The first buildings of wood were overthrown in 1126 by an avalanche, and
Guigo, the fifth prior, had refounded the whole buildings after that
date. The upper church, since then a chapter house, was built in
Romanesque style, with round arches, two rose windows, and three
sanctuary windows with wide splays. In 1150 Humbert, Count of Savoy,
founded a beautiful chapel and a guest house for visitors; and even
later than this there is a good deal of building going on at the lower
house, farm buildings, guest house, and possibly even a church during
the very time that Hugh was monk and procurator. Even if he took no
personal part in any of these last works, he must have known and heard
much of the art from men, who had done or were doing it. But it would
not be rash to conclude that he had an apprenticeship in building before
he set foot on English soil, and as well by education as by inheritance
knew something of this w