Cushion Capital; Capital— Chapel in Tower of London; Transition Norman Capital, hall of Oakham Castle; Transition Norman Capital, Canterbury Cathedral
Photo. S. B. Bolas & Co.
GALILEE CHAPEL, DURHAM CATHEDRAL (page 70)
4. We see, towards the end of the period, from the way in which the Norman arches were used to intersect each other, and form two pointed arches within a round-headed arch, that a change in style was showing itself. Towards the end of Norman times, in the reigns of Richard I and John, we reach what architects call the Transition Period, when the Norman style was gradually changing into the Early English, or Pointed Style. The choir of Canterbury Cathedral is one of the best-known specimens of this Transition Period. Just as changes took place in the style of the buildings, so, too, the life of the nation changed. All the changes were not improvements; some, indeed, were changes for the worse.
Photo. Valentine
CHOIR OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL (page 70)
Summary.—The Norman period lasted for 130 years, from 1066 to about the year 1200. The round-headed style of building, called Norman, lasted through this period. It became more ornamented as the years went on. In the latter part of the time the style began to change. St. Alban's Cathedral and Durham Cathedral have examples of plain and highly ornamental Norman work. The choir of Canterbury Cathedral gives an example of Transition work at the end of Norman days.