The Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture, Elucidated by Question and Answer, 4th ed | Page 5

by that which sprang more
immediately from the Antique, the Roman, or Italian mode.
FOOTNOTES:
[3-*] Tempore, ut scimus, summo Tiberii Cæsaris, &c.--GILDAS.
[4-*] Ruebant ædificia publica simul et privata, passim Sacerdotes inter
altaria trucibantur.--BEDE, Eccl. Hist. lib. i. c. xv.

[Illustration: Scutcheon from Beauchamp Chapel, Warwick, circa A. D.
1450.]
CHAPTER I.
DEFINITION OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE; ITS ORIGIN, AND
THE DIVISION OF IT INTO STYLES.
Q. What is meant by the term "Gothic Architecture"?
A. Without entering into the derivation of the word "Gothic," it may
suffice to state that it is an expression sometimes used to denote in one
general term, and distinguish from the Antique, those peculiar modes or
styles in which most of our ecclesiastical and many of our domestic
edifices of the middle ages have been built. In a more confined sense, it
comprehends those styles only in which the pointed arch predominates,

and it is then often used to distinguish such from the more ancient
Anglo-Saxon and Norman styles.
Q. To what can the origin of this kind of architecture be traced?
A. To the classic orders in that state of degeneracy into which they had
fallen in the age of Constantine, and afterwards; and as the Romans, on
their voluntary abandonment of Britain in the fifth century, left many of
their temples and public edifices remaining, together with some
Christian churches, it was in rude imitation of the Roman structures of
the fourth century that the most ancient of our Anglo-Saxon churches
were constructed. This is apparent from an examination and
comparison of such with the vestiges of Roman buildings we have
existing.
Q. Into how many different styles may English ecclesiastical
architecture be divided?
A. No specific regulation has been adopted, with regard to the
denomination or division of the several styles, in which all the writers
on the subject agree: but they may be divided into seven, which,
together with the periods when they flourished, may be generally
defined as follows:
The SAXON Or ANGLO-SAXON Style, which prevailed from the
mission of Augustine, at the close of the sixth, to the middle of the
eleventh century.
The NORMAN style, which may be said to have prevailed generally
from the middle of the eleventh to the latter part of the twelfth century.
The SEMI-NORMAN, Or TRANSITION style, which appears to have
prevailed during the latter part of the twelfth century.
The EARLY ENGLISH, or general style of the thirteenth century.
The DECORATED ENGLISH, or general style of the fourteenth
century.

The FLORID Or PERPENDICULAR ENGLISH, the style of the
fifteenth, and early part of the sixteenth century.
The DEBASED ENGLISH, or general style of the latter part of the
sixteenth and early part of the seventeenth century, towards the middle
of which Gothic architecture, even in its debased state, became entirely
discarded.
Q. What constitutes the difference of these styles?
A. They may be distinguished partly by the form of the arches, which
are triangular-headed, semicircular or segmental, simple pointed, and
complex pointed; though such forms are by no means an invariable
criterion of any particular style; by the size and shape of the windows,
and the manner in which they are subdivided or not by transoms,
mullions, and tracery; but more especially by certain minute details,
ornamental accessories and mouldings, more or less peculiar to
particular styles, and which are seldom to be met with in any other.
Q. Are the majority of our ecclesiastical buildings composed only of
one style?
A. Most of our cathedral and country churches have been built, or had
additions made to them, at different periods, and therefore seldom
exhibit an uniformity of design; and many churches have details about
them of almost every style. There are, however, numerous exceptions,
where churches have been erected in the same style throughout; and
this is more particularly observable in the churches of the fifteenth
century.
Q. Were they constructed on any regular plan?
A. The general ground plan of cathedral and conventual churches was
after the form of a cross, and the edifice consisted of a central tower,
with transepts running north and south; westward of the tower was the
nave or main body of the structure, with lateral aisles; and the west
front contained the principal entrance, and was often flanked by towers.
Eastward of the central tower was the choir, where the principal service

was performed, with aisles on each side, and beyond this was the lady
chapel. Sometimes the design also comprehended other chapels. On the
north or south side was the chapter house, in early times quadrangular,
but afterwards octagonal in plan; and on the same side, in most
instances, though not always, were the cloisters, which communicated
immediately with the church, and surrounded a quadrangular court. The
chapter house and cloisters we still find remaining