Basement of the West Tower - Helmsley Castle

Perhaps better enlarged

The basement which was used for storage has a window in the southwest wall overlooking the wall and ditch. This window has seats, and there are peacocks and the de Ros emblem carved at either end of the window arch. These date from around 1300, when the castle was enlarged. This impressive window suggests that an accounting officer might have worked here, taking advantage of the natural daylight, when auditing goods as they came and went.

In the ceiling of the basement can be seen the impression of hazel wicker shuttering, the framed used to support the plaster between the vault ribs.