DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26747#0926
862
ENGLISH GrOTHIC ARCHITECTUEE.
Book YITT.
below thc triforiTira is used at Westminster, and also that of again
dividing the upper part into three equal divisions, one of which is
assigned to the triforium and two to the clerestory. All this looks so
like the way in which the Germans horrowed the French style, that
tliere can he litt-le douht hut that this is the result of a similar process
of imitation. The same may he remarked of the tenuity of the piers
and general lightness of the structure internally. Most of these are
undouhtedly defects, hut to redeem them there is a vault,’ richer and
more beautiful in form than any ever constructed in France ; a triforiuni
as beautiful as any in existence ; and generally an appropriateness of
detail and sobriety of design which rendered this abbey-church in its
primitive state one of the most heautiful Gothic edifices in the world.
It only wants a little more strength in its supports and little less
exaggeration in height to be nearly perfect.
In the exterior of Westminster Ahhey another French characteristic
hetrays itself. It never was intended to havea central tower,1 hut it.
must always have heen proposed to add two at the western end;
probahly nearly of the dimensions of those erected hy Sir Christopher
Wren. Its hold projecting transepts and nohle lengtli of nave arC
truly English features, and give it as great dignity externally as it has
grace in its internal arrangements.
The first half of the 18th century, wliich produced theso two great
churches of Salishury and Westminster, was the great cathedral building
age of this country, as it was of France. Most of our larger ecclesias-
tical edifices received important additions in tlie style then current.
The previous century, however, had been one of such vigour, and dis-
played so mucli huilding energy, that far less remained to he done hy
us than hy our neighhours; and men were content to repair and
enlarge without ignoring all trace of the previous erections, except in
the two instances just quoted.
Next in completeness and perhaps in grandeur may he quoted
Lincoln; all except the preshjdery heing of this age, and this part
follows so immediatcly after the rest as not to produce any want of
harmony, hut merely a degree of enrichment suitable to the increased
sanctity of the altar and the localities surrounding it. Tlie westem
part or liave may almost he called a failure from the too wide spacing
of the piers2 and their want of solidity. The eastern part is equal in
design and execution to anything of tlie most perfect age, and of a
style purely English, both in proportion and in deeoration. It was
prohahly finished ahout the year 1282, and may he considered as the
first complcte specimen of the trae Edwardian style of perfected English
art. In it the lancet form wholly disappears, to give place to the per-
fected “ circle tracery,” usually called “ geometric,” whic.h was first
introduced in Westminster Abbey, hut there used without foliation or
that suhordination of parts which is so essential a characteristic of true
1 Theproper rnode of completing this church in France.
would be to erect a wooden spire on the inter- 2 This may have arisen from some pecu-
section ofthe nave 'with th’e transept, simiiar liarity of the Norman nave vliich it re-
to that on the roofat Amiens and elscwhere placed.
ENGLISH GrOTHIC ARCHITECTUEE.
Book YITT.
below thc triforiTira is used at Westminster, and also that of again
dividing the upper part into three equal divisions, one of which is
assigned to the triforium and two to the clerestory. All this looks so
like the way in which the Germans horrowed the French style, that
tliere can he litt-le douht hut that this is the result of a similar process
of imitation. The same may he remarked of the tenuity of the piers
and general lightness of the structure internally. Most of these are
undouhtedly defects, hut to redeem them there is a vault,’ richer and
more beautiful in form than any ever constructed in France ; a triforiuni
as beautiful as any in existence ; and generally an appropriateness of
detail and sobriety of design which rendered this abbey-church in its
primitive state one of the most heautiful Gothic edifices in the world.
It only wants a little more strength in its supports and little less
exaggeration in height to be nearly perfect.
In the exterior of Westminster Ahhey another French characteristic
hetrays itself. It never was intended to havea central tower,1 hut it.
must always have heen proposed to add two at the western end;
probahly nearly of the dimensions of those erected hy Sir Christopher
Wren. Its hold projecting transepts and nohle lengtli of nave arC
truly English features, and give it as great dignity externally as it has
grace in its internal arrangements.
The first half of the 18th century, wliich produced theso two great
churches of Salishury and Westminster, was the great cathedral building
age of this country, as it was of France. Most of our larger ecclesias-
tical edifices received important additions in tlie style then current.
The previous century, however, had been one of such vigour, and dis-
played so mucli huilding energy, that far less remained to he done hy
us than hy our neighhours; and men were content to repair and
enlarge without ignoring all trace of the previous erections, except in
the two instances just quoted.
Next in completeness and perhaps in grandeur may he quoted
Lincoln; all except the preshjdery heing of this age, and this part
follows so immediatcly after the rest as not to produce any want of
harmony, hut merely a degree of enrichment suitable to the increased
sanctity of the altar and the localities surrounding it. Tlie westem
part or liave may almost he called a failure from the too wide spacing
of the piers2 and their want of solidity. The eastern part is equal in
design and execution to anything of tlie most perfect age, and of a
style purely English, both in proportion and in deeoration. It was
prohahly finished ahout the year 1282, and may he considered as the
first complcte specimen of the trae Edwardian style of perfected English
art. In it the lancet form wholly disappears, to give place to the per-
fected “ circle tracery,” usually called “ geometric,” whic.h was first
introduced in Westminster Abbey, hut there used without foliation or
that suhordination of parts which is so essential a characteristic of true
1 Theproper rnode of completing this church in France.
would be to erect a wooden spire on the inter- 2 This may have arisen from some pecu-
section ofthe nave 'with th’e transept, simiiar liarity of the Norman nave vliich it re-
to that on the roofat Amiens and elscwhere placed.