Fergusson, James: A history of architecture in all countries, from the earliest times to the present day: in five volumes (Band 2) (London, 1893)

Bk. VII. Ch. III.

WINDOW TRACERY.

375

No. 829) the style hacl already begun to deviate from the French
pattern, and before the end of the 13th century the English had so
thoroughly assimilated it that hardly a trace of its original form
was left. The chapel at Merton College, Oxford, is perhaps the most
beautiful example remaining of that exquisite form of English tracery;
but St. Stephen’s Chapel, 'W’estminster, was the typical example, and
specimens of it are founcl in all our cathedrals. One at St. Anselm’s

82î. East End of Lincoln Cathedral. (From Wild’s ‘ Lincoln.’)

Chapel at Canterbury (Woodcut No. 830) is perhaps as characteristic
as any. When tracery had reached this stage, it seemed capable of
any amount of development, and was applicable to any form of opening.
All the clifficulties of fitting circles into spherical triangles which had
so puzzled the early builders were conquered, 1 and the range of design
seemed unlimited. But during the Edwardian period there prevailed
a restless desire for new inventions, and an amount of intellectual

1 It is not nccessary to repeat here wliat I French traceiy, p. 104, to whieh the reacler
was said on the subject in speaking of | is referred.