I have never felt quite satisfied with the conventional dating of Cecil's work at Burghley. According to the accepted scheme this can be divided into four main periods. Starting on the basis of an older building Cecil first, about 1556–61, built the existing great hall (Fig. 1) and vaulted kitchen, both of which are very Gothic in character. Secondly, about 1561–4, he constructed the elaborate classical architecture of the courtyard (Fig. 2), much of the detail of which was imported ready-made from Antwerp. Thirdly, in 1577–8 he added on to the west end of the courtyard a new west range, with a four-storeyed gatehouse. Fourthly he built, in 1585, the central feature of the north front (Fig. 4) and perhaps reconstructed the whole of the façade; and in 1587 added a spired top-storey (containing a clock) to the three-storey pavilion on the east side of the court yard.