The Introduction deals with symbols as the motive of Gothic design. In the following pages the various periods of English Gothic are defined by their predominating forms and ornaments dating from the seventh to the sixteenth centuries. Simple examples have been chosen in order to avoid the confusion which might result from the choice of more complex illustrations.

In the preparation of the illustrations the works of Agincourt, Didron, Owen Jones, and the late Jethro A. Cossins, have been consulted for those of [Plate I.] Of the remaining, [Plate II.], Fig. 5, and [Plate V.], Fig. 1, are from works of Parker and Rickman respectively. Five details are from photographs; the remainder are from original sketches and studies by the Author.

LIST OF PLATES

PLATE PAGE
[I.][Byzantine and Early Christian][13]
[II.][Anglo-Saxon][21]
[III.][Norman][27]
[IV.][Transitional, 1145-1190 (Norman to Early English)][35]
[V.][Early English][39]
[VI.][Decorated][45]
[VII.][Decorated][47]
[VIII.][Perpendicular][53]
[IX.][Perpendicular][55]
[X.][English Gothic Roofs][63]
[XI.][Vaulting][71]
[XII.][Vaulting][73]

CHRONOLOGY

The popular classification of English Gothic Architecture divides the style into four periods, thus:

NormanWilliamI.,1066,to RichardI.,1189.
Early EnglishRichardI.,1189,to EdwardI.,1272.
DecoratedEdwardI.,1272,to RichardII.,1377.
Perpendicular RichardII.,1377,to EdwardVI.,1547.

These terms are useful, but not sufficiently descriptive. They were superseded by the late Edmund Sharpe’s “Seven Periods,” the terms of which are derived from the forms of the windows and their tracery, but are applicable to other details.