English Church Architecture of the Middle Ages: An Elementary Handbook - A. Freeman Smith

T. FISHER UNWIN, LTD., LONDON

ENGLISH CHURCH
ARCHITECTURE
OF THE MIDDLE AGES
AN ELEMENTARY HANDBOOK
By A. FREEMAN SMITH

For many years Art Master and Instructor in all Architectural Subjects
in the Municipal School of Art, Birmingham
WITH TWELVE PLATES
T. FISHER UNWIN, LTD.
LONDON: ADELPHI TERRACE

First published in 1922.

PREFACE

THE object of this little work is to give an outline of the leading characteristics of Gothic Architecture, as found in churches of the Middle Ages in England. And it is hoped that it may be found useful to those visiting those noble buildings, whose antiquity and inseparable connection with the history of the country in their growth and development, in addition to the highest purpose for which they were erected by the faithful followers of the Founder of the Christian Faith, entitle them to veneration and careful study in the realms of history, art, and religion.

Its purpose as a handbook is to explain the origin and use of some of the forms which are presented to the eye of the visitor to these ancient monuments, not as being the result of caprice, or mere æsthetic motives, but as derived originally from a deep conviction of the living truth which their founders professed, and which they attempted to express in all their constructive work.

It is intended that the book may also be found useful as an elementary introduction to the study of Gothic Architecture through the many elaborate and exhaustive treatises which are published on the subject. To such students, literary study should be supplemented by personal acquaintance with buildings recognised as standards of excellence.