Fletcher, Banister; Fletcher, Banister: A history of architecture for the student, craftsman, and amateur: being a comparative view of the historical styles from the earliest period (London, 1896)

130

COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE.

D. Roofs.—In the Rhine district vaulting was intro-
duced, a central semicircular barrel vault was supported by
half-circle vaults over the aisles, a system which led by degrees
to complete Gothic vaulting. Timber roofs were also em-
ployed for large spans. Tower roofs, and spires of curious
form, are a great feature of the style. A gable on each
tower face, with high pitched intersecting roofs, is common,
and is developed by carrying up the planes of the roof to
form a pyramid, which leads on to further spire growth
(No. 67).

E. Columns.—The nave arcades are generally con-
structed of square piers, with half columns attached. The
alternation of piers and columns is a favourite German
feature. The capitals, though rude in execution, are well
designed, being superior to the later Gothic examples.

f. Mouldings are not a strong feature of the style (see
under walls), caps and bases take a distinctive form, leading
from Roman through Romanesque and Gothic.

G. Decoration.—Internally the flat plain surfaces were
decorated in fresco. The traditions and examples, of the
early Christian and Byzantine mosaic decorations, were
carried on in colour.

5. REFERENCE BOOK.

Moller’s “ Denkmaehler der Deutschen Baukunst,” vol. i.