THE BROCHURE SERIES
The Cathedrals of
England
DECEMBER, 1900

PLATE XCI

LITCHFIELD CATHEDRAL FROM NORTHWEST

THE CATHEDRALS OF ENGLAND

Such a general survey of the most representative English cathedrals as is undertaken in the present article naturally leaves no space for a detailed consideration of the various diversities of architecture that they present, and future issues of this series will be devoted to illustrating, individually, the various developments of the English Gothic style. The characteristic features of the English Gothic cathedrals, as compared with those of the Continent, and particularly with those in France, are as follows:—

The English minsters are long, narrow and low in contrast with the greater squareness and height of French contemporary churches. The English transepts have bolder projections, and the number of side chapels is smaller. The east end is almost invariably square. The aisles are practically always single; Chichester is the only example to the contrary. The central tower is a predominant feature; and a single western tower is characteristic of English early churches. Flying buttresses, though not uncommon, are not so prominent as in French cathedrals. Doorways are more simple, placed in less important positions, and often provided with a separate elaborate porch, as at Salisbury. Window traceries, though developing along the same lines as in France, finally evolve "Perpendicular" instead of "Flamboyant" tracery. The beautiful fan-tracery vaulting is an important feature of English Gothic, and is peculiar to it. The clustered shaft is a special feature of the style. Great emphasis was placed by the English architects on the development of mouldings; and the generally smaller scale of English work lead to greater refinement and attention to detail in carving.

CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL

FROM NORTHEAST

Perhaps the most striking difference between the English and the Continental cathedral, is however, in its situation. Instead of being almost invariably pressed upon and crowded by the streets and shops of the city, the English minster is usually set about with great masses of foliage, and wide stretches of lawn.