(B5) THE BRITISH STYLES OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE

The Norman Style (1066-1200)

The Norman Gothic style in Britain did not differ too much from its originator France (hence its name "Norman"). Britain had yet to develop the style as its own. Many buildings at this time still kept the rounded window openings of the earlier Romanesque style however, the pointed arch was emerging, firstly for the transverse and walls ribs Banister F. Fletcher, 1905. In short, the buildings were much simpler than their predecessors. Examples: Durham Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, and Ely Cathedral (west tower 1150-75). 

Durham Cathedral (c. 1133)

Wells Cathedral (c. 1175-1490)

Ely Cathedral (c. 1150-75)

The Early English Style (1200-1275)

Also known as the "Lancet"- (because of the pointed, narrow, lancet windows). There was still an absence of traceried windows however, British craftsman and architects were at this point really adapting the Gothic style as their own. The main elements in this Early English style were the quadripartite (four parts) ribbed vaults, tall and slender towers with spires, lancet windows and narrow clustered shafts. A good example of the Early English Gothic style is Salisbury Cathedral. 

Salisbury Cathedral (c. 1220)

The Decorated Style (1275-1375)

The Decorated Style was a combination of the Geometric, Curvilinear and Flamboyant Gothic styles. As the name suggests, the buildings constructed at this time were filled with ornamentation, windows wider and walls were thinner. This lead to the innovation of the flying buttress to better support the building now it had lost a huge amount of structural integrity due to larger windows, Richman-Abdou, K. (2017). This also allowed more light inside the buildings, highlighting masses of stone carvings and elaborate arches. The ceiling vaulting was improvised and improved to also better support the weight of the building. An amazing example of Decorated Gothic is Exeter Cathedral which was founded in 1050. Construction had not begun till 1114 (during the Norman Style) to which you can see the towers and lower part of the Nave walls still embrace the Norman style. Even after its major rebuild in Decorated Gothic c.1270 and c.1350. This came after the building had been labelled outmoded and followed the example of Salisbury Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral Staff (2021). - I actually spotted the Normal Style in this building and thought about doing a little extra research. This shows my research is paying off and the information is going in.

Exeter Cathedral (c. 1133)

The Perpendicular Style (1375-1530+)

Late Gothic architecture paralleled the Flamboyant style in France and Spain with the Perpendicular style in Britain. In short, this adaption opted for "bigger and better", the windows larger to create epic visual effects, large amounts of strong vertical lines in the tracery and wall panelling, fan vaults - or stellar vaults - (in appearance look the same as rib-vaults but with more lines) and overall a far greater focus for detail, Richman-Abdou, K. (2017). The towers of these buildings were even more elaborately decorated and pinnacled. The wall space had been lessened again with this style, allowing for greater windows with masses of tracery and stained glass, Ross, D (2021). Oldest still an existing example of the Perpendicular style is Gloucester Cathedral (begun c. 1335). Other great examples of the Perpendicular Style are; King's College Chapel, Cambridge, (1446-1515), Henry VII's chapel at Westminster Abbey (1503-19), and Bath Abbey (1501-39). The popularity of this style was what led to the Tudor style, where you can also see how the vertical lines are a key feature in the design, Richman-Abdou, K. (2017).

"The naves of Canterbury Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral were also rebuilt in the Perpendicular style during this time", which is important to note like Exeter Cathedral, the year of construction does not necessarily indicate its style. I will have to keep this in mind whilst fact filing Gothic buildings in Leeds.  One of the articles I was reading (Ross, D (2021)) talks about how it is interesting to look at the history of each of these great buildings and how some develop through each style or have been rebuilt to fit the new styles agenda. It also mentioned the reason why the majority of the Gothic buildings mentioned are Cathedrals is that architects and craftsmen at the time, were only allowed this level of creative license within the churches and cathedrals. There are other examples however, these tend to be less elaborate, he does go on to say later there are beautiful small scale examples of these styles scattered across villages all over Britain.

Gloucester Cathedral (c. 1335)

Gothic Revival Style (inc. Neo and Collegiate)

The Gothic Revival style emerged in the 18th century as a conscious movement in England, to revive the Gothic styles of the past. Some examples were direct imitations of one individual Gothic style, others used elements from multiple Gothic styles.