DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6914#0146
114
architectural antiquities.
drals of Exeter, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, and Durham; the naves of
Gloucester and Rochester, and the choirs of Canterbury and Worcester ; the parish
churches of St. John, Chester ; St. German, Cornwall ; Winborne and Sherborne,
Dorsetshire ; Romsey, Hampshire ; Friendsbury, Barfreston, Patricksbourne, and
St. Margaret's, Kent; Southwell, Nottinghamshire; Tickencote,1 Rutlandshire;
Wenlock, Shropshire ; Steyningand New Shoreham, Sussex ; the Abbeys of Tewkes-
bury, Gloucestershire, and Malmesbury, Wiltshire; St. Botolph's Priory, Colchester;
and Castle-Acre Priory, Norfolk. But numerous others might be specified in almost
every county in the kingdom.
POINTED ARCHITECTURE AND ITS VARIETIES.
In respect to the invention and adaptation of the Pointed arch to architectural
purposes, and regarding the important consequences which sprung from it, in the
formation of what has so long been improperly denominated the Gothic style, much
has already been said in the preceding chapter, but it still remains to trace the
period at which Pointed Architecture became engrafted as a system on Norman and
Anglo-Norman buildings in this country. To ascertain that period with complete
exactness is, perhaps, impossible ; yet there is abundant reason to believe, that it
was not later than the commencement of King Stephens reign, or about the year 1135.
There are, however, divers instances of the incidental use of the Pointed arch in
structures of an earlier date ; and among these the Church of St. Bartholomew, near
Smithfield, may be referred to as a specific example. In that edifice, which was
founded by Rahere, about a.d. 1123, whom tradition reputes to have been minstrel,
or court jester, to King Henry the First, Pointed arches are employed in the north
and south sides of the intersection of the nave and transept. The cause for this is
evident, for those sides of the tower being much narrower than the east and west
divisions, which are formed by semicircular arches, it became necessary to carry the
arches of the former to a point, in order to suit the oblong plan of the intersection,
and, at the same time, make the upper mouldings and lines range in the corres-
ponding members of the circular arches.
1 " This Church, till within a few years, was one of the most valuable ancient remains in the kingdom ;
but it has been rebuilt, sufficiently near in its likeness to the original to deceive many, and so far from it as
to render it not a copy but an imitation ; yet it is still curious, and the interior of the chancel is original."
Rickman's " Attempt," &c. p. 54. Second Edition.
architectural antiquities.
drals of Exeter, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, and Durham; the naves of
Gloucester and Rochester, and the choirs of Canterbury and Worcester ; the parish
churches of St. John, Chester ; St. German, Cornwall ; Winborne and Sherborne,
Dorsetshire ; Romsey, Hampshire ; Friendsbury, Barfreston, Patricksbourne, and
St. Margaret's, Kent; Southwell, Nottinghamshire; Tickencote,1 Rutlandshire;
Wenlock, Shropshire ; Steyningand New Shoreham, Sussex ; the Abbeys of Tewkes-
bury, Gloucestershire, and Malmesbury, Wiltshire; St. Botolph's Priory, Colchester;
and Castle-Acre Priory, Norfolk. But numerous others might be specified in almost
every county in the kingdom.
POINTED ARCHITECTURE AND ITS VARIETIES.
In respect to the invention and adaptation of the Pointed arch to architectural
purposes, and regarding the important consequences which sprung from it, in the
formation of what has so long been improperly denominated the Gothic style, much
has already been said in the preceding chapter, but it still remains to trace the
period at which Pointed Architecture became engrafted as a system on Norman and
Anglo-Norman buildings in this country. To ascertain that period with complete
exactness is, perhaps, impossible ; yet there is abundant reason to believe, that it
was not later than the commencement of King Stephens reign, or about the year 1135.
There are, however, divers instances of the incidental use of the Pointed arch in
structures of an earlier date ; and among these the Church of St. Bartholomew, near
Smithfield, may be referred to as a specific example. In that edifice, which was
founded by Rahere, about a.d. 1123, whom tradition reputes to have been minstrel,
or court jester, to King Henry the First, Pointed arches are employed in the north
and south sides of the intersection of the nave and transept. The cause for this is
evident, for those sides of the tower being much narrower than the east and west
divisions, which are formed by semicircular arches, it became necessary to carry the
arches of the former to a point, in order to suit the oblong plan of the intersection,
and, at the same time, make the upper mouldings and lines range in the corres-
ponding members of the circular arches.
1 " This Church, till within a few years, was one of the most valuable ancient remains in the kingdom ;
but it has been rebuilt, sufficiently near in its likeness to the original to deceive many, and so far from it as
to render it not a copy but an imitation ; yet it is still curious, and the interior of the chancel is original."
Rickman's " Attempt," &c. p. 54. Second Edition.