DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1457#0008
IV PREFACE.
and under the Norman dynasty it received
its ultimate degree of beauty and perfection.
To remedy this want of a convenient ma-
nual on this interesting subject, it appeared
best to collect -what had been already said by
several authors of celebrity, in detached
works, and which had been received as
authorities. In this view, the Rev. Mr.
Beniham's Essay on Saxon and Norman
architecture, in his elaborate History of Ely
Cathedral, stood foremost for selection, ar-
rangement, and accurate discrimination ot
historical facts: next to this, Captain Grose's
Preface on Architecture to his Antiquities of
feature is the high-pointed arch struck from two centres, was
invented in this country: it is certain that it was here brought
to its highest state of perfection; and the testimonies of other
countries, whose national traditions ascribe their most beautiful
churches to English artists,, adds great weight to this assertion,
and peculiar propriety to the term English, now proposed
to be substituted to the word Gothic.
" The architecture used by the Saxons is very properly
called Saxon. The improvements introduced after the Norman
Conquest, justify the application of Norman to the edifices ot
that period. Hie nation assumed a new character about the
time of Henry II. The language, properly called EngKsft,
was then formed; and an architecture founded on the Norman
and Saxon, but extremely different from both, wag invented
by English artists: it is, surely, equally just and proper to
distinguish this style by the honourable appellation of English-
This term will therefore be used instead of Gothic, ia vie
course of the work; and it is hoped no English antiquary"):!
be offended at the substitution of an accurate and honourable
name, in the place of one which is both contemptuous and
inappropriate."
and under the Norman dynasty it received
its ultimate degree of beauty and perfection.
To remedy this want of a convenient ma-
nual on this interesting subject, it appeared
best to collect -what had been already said by
several authors of celebrity, in detached
works, and which had been received as
authorities. In this view, the Rev. Mr.
Beniham's Essay on Saxon and Norman
architecture, in his elaborate History of Ely
Cathedral, stood foremost for selection, ar-
rangement, and accurate discrimination ot
historical facts: next to this, Captain Grose's
Preface on Architecture to his Antiquities of
feature is the high-pointed arch struck from two centres, was
invented in this country: it is certain that it was here brought
to its highest state of perfection; and the testimonies of other
countries, whose national traditions ascribe their most beautiful
churches to English artists,, adds great weight to this assertion,
and peculiar propriety to the term English, now proposed
to be substituted to the word Gothic.
" The architecture used by the Saxons is very properly
called Saxon. The improvements introduced after the Norman
Conquest, justify the application of Norman to the edifices ot
that period. Hie nation assumed a new character about the
time of Henry II. The language, properly called EngKsft,
was then formed; and an architecture founded on the Norman
and Saxon, but extremely different from both, wag invented
by English artists: it is, surely, equally just and proper to
distinguish this style by the honourable appellation of English-
This term will therefore be used instead of Gothic, ia vie
course of the work; and it is hoped no English antiquary"):!
be offended at the substitution of an accurate and honourable
name, in the place of one which is both contemptuous and
inappropriate."