DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0080
48
architectural antiquities.
been copied from established models in Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Spain, or else-
where."47 We may add the plain and positive fact, as deducible from observation
of the oldest existing churches, both in England and in France, that the Pointed
style was not introduced at once with all its distinctive features; but on the con-
trary, that pointed arches were intermixed with circular arches in the same building,
in some of the earliest remains of English church architecture, as in St. Botolph's
Priory, Malmesbury Abbey Church, Canterbury Cathedral, &c. That similar
observations will apply to some of the architectural antiquities of France is acknow-
ledged by Mr. Whittington himself, who, in his account of the abbey church of St.
Germain des Prez, says, " Here columns support a series of round arches, except
in the semicircular arcade at the eastern end of the church, where they are pointed
in consequence of the arrangement of the pillars, which being placed in the bow
nearer each other than where the colonnade proceeds in a straight direction, the
arches which rise from them, when brought to an equal height with those of a
round shape, become necessarily -pointed; and this is among the number of instances
where the pointed arch was used from accident and necessity, before it became an
object of taste."48 This last observation of Mr. Whittington is not a little remarkable,
and may be considered as a sufficient answer to the assertion of his noble editor,
that " the Pointed style appeared at once with all its distinguishing marks and
features."
Dr. Stukeley may be reckoned among the advocates for the Oriental origin of the
Pointed style. In the first volume of the Archseologia is an account of an antient
church, formerly at Westminster, called " The Sanctuary," which, the Doctor says,
was an example of that kind of architecture that may be called " Roman-Saxon,
near that we commonly call Gothic."
47 Milner's " Treatise on Ecclesiastical Architecture," p. 90. Dr. Milner asserts (id. p. 54.) that Grose
coincided with Wren in opinion as to the origin of the Pointed style; but the learned catholic Antiquary
seems to have mistaken the Captain on this point. The latter, after detailing the arguments of Sir Chris-
topher and others, respecting those eastern buildings with pointed arches, so often referred to, asserts that
they are of comparatively modern erection, and that the origin of the style is still undiscovered. See
Essays on Gothic Architecture," p. 103, 3d edition.
48 " Survey," p. 110, 111. The same arrangement occurs within the crypt of St. Denis, and in the
choir of the church of La Charite sur Loire ; also in the crypt and chapel of the Holy Trinity at Canter-
bury. See elevations and sections of the latter in " the History of that Cathedral," published in the
" Cathedral Antiquities," 4to. 1820.
architectural antiquities.
been copied from established models in Syria, Arabia, Egypt, Spain, or else-
where."47 We may add the plain and positive fact, as deducible from observation
of the oldest existing churches, both in England and in France, that the Pointed
style was not introduced at once with all its distinctive features; but on the con-
trary, that pointed arches were intermixed with circular arches in the same building,
in some of the earliest remains of English church architecture, as in St. Botolph's
Priory, Malmesbury Abbey Church, Canterbury Cathedral, &c. That similar
observations will apply to some of the architectural antiquities of France is acknow-
ledged by Mr. Whittington himself, who, in his account of the abbey church of St.
Germain des Prez, says, " Here columns support a series of round arches, except
in the semicircular arcade at the eastern end of the church, where they are pointed
in consequence of the arrangement of the pillars, which being placed in the bow
nearer each other than where the colonnade proceeds in a straight direction, the
arches which rise from them, when brought to an equal height with those of a
round shape, become necessarily -pointed; and this is among the number of instances
where the pointed arch was used from accident and necessity, before it became an
object of taste."48 This last observation of Mr. Whittington is not a little remarkable,
and may be considered as a sufficient answer to the assertion of his noble editor,
that " the Pointed style appeared at once with all its distinguishing marks and
features."
Dr. Stukeley may be reckoned among the advocates for the Oriental origin of the
Pointed style. In the first volume of the Archseologia is an account of an antient
church, formerly at Westminster, called " The Sanctuary," which, the Doctor says,
was an example of that kind of architecture that may be called " Roman-Saxon,
near that we commonly call Gothic."
47 Milner's " Treatise on Ecclesiastical Architecture," p. 90. Dr. Milner asserts (id. p. 54.) that Grose
coincided with Wren in opinion as to the origin of the Pointed style; but the learned catholic Antiquary
seems to have mistaken the Captain on this point. The latter, after detailing the arguments of Sir Chris-
topher and others, respecting those eastern buildings with pointed arches, so often referred to, asserts that
they are of comparatively modern erection, and that the origin of the style is still undiscovered. See
Essays on Gothic Architecture," p. 103, 3d edition.
48 " Survey," p. 110, 111. The same arrangement occurs within the crypt of St. Denis, and in the
choir of the church of La Charite sur Loire ; also in the crypt and chapel of the Holy Trinity at Canter-
bury. See elevations and sections of the latter in " the History of that Cathedral," published in the
" Cathedral Antiquities," 4to. 1820.