The west front of York is the finest specimen of a Decorated front we possess, and the details are of the most exquisite description, both in design and execution.
The Chapter House, York, is of Early Decorated character. It is octagonal and groined, and is said by Rickman to be "by far the finest polygonal room, without a central pillar, in the kingdom, and the delicacy and variety of its ornaments are nearly unequalled." That it must, even at the time of its erection, have been considered "unequalled" is shown by the inscription at the entrance:—
"UT ROSA FLOS FLORUM,
SIC EST DOMUS ISTA DOMORUM."[42]
The Chapter House, Wells, is another extremely beautiful building of the same period, but this is supported by a central pillar.
Many fine churches of this style are to be found in various parts of the kingdom, of which one of the finest is Howden, in Yorkshire; but many of them, though belonging to this period, are very plain in their details.
QUEEN ELEANOR'S CROSS, NORTHAMPTON.
![[See larger version]](#6469424450482078611_i_499big.jpg.id-4870572613483241657.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
The monuments of this century are, both in composition and execution, the finest which exist. We have many fine bold compositions in Early English, and many very elaborate ones in the Perpendicular style, but none of them equal the Decorated in chasteness of design and delicacy of execution.