“

Constable: Why do we always have to patrol the streets around His Lordship’s manor? It’s not as if any thief would try something here.

Sergeant: You rather patrol the port’s back alleys?

Constable: Oh look, a minstrel!

Sergeant (sotto voce): Hmf, scatterbrain.

Burglar (sotto voce): Hehe, nice brim hats, guys. Don’t look up! Hmm, I wonder if these statues up there are gilded or painted. Let’s take a look.

Lord: What’s that ruckus down there? I can’t work with that noise! Where’s the Watch when you need it?

”

After a couple of steps to reach the doors, hinting at an undescribed basement, one enters the main hall where the visitor can wait near the massive fireplace for the lord to come down the imposing stone stairs. The first storey is his lordship’s centre of power, with his desk, solid oak table and regal armchair. The stairs in the corner lead to the luxuous seignorial bedroom.

About the dialog above: it may well be instead that his lordship is stuck on the balcony and a courageous citizen is jumping roofs to bring him food 😁

Inspiration: I don’t really know where the inspiration came from. I think I had the idea in the back of my mind to make a realistic “castle” building more refined than a fortress, showing power by wealth and artfulness rather than bulk and force. And then one day I had the idea for the arched windows and the two ideas merged when I tried the windows and started adding bricks around them. Memories of 17th century manors and mansions helped too 😁

Note: If, like me, you find it a little small, get two! 😁