CASTRUM DOLORIS (i.e. castle of grief), a catafalque or lofty tomb of state, containing the coffin of a prince or other distinguished person, and decorated with armorial bearings, inscriptions, arms, &c., brilliantly illuminated with tapers. By the French the castrum doloris is termed chapelle ardente. This latter is to be distinguished from chambre ardente, which formerly in France was a chamber hung with black cloth, in which state prisoners of high rank were tried by torchlight.