Chapter VIII: Geometrical Period

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTIC.

SIMPLE GEOMETRICAL TRACERY IN THE HEADS OF THE WINDOWS, IN PANELS AND IN ARCADES.

_Exterior Compartment._

The BUTTRESSES have frequently set-offs, and canopies attached to their faces, carrying often a series of CROCKETS: these in the earlier examples are plain, stiff, and curled; but the later ones are formed by a gracefully disposed leaf. Towards the end of the Period, the buttresses became very bulky and massive, and carried little or no ornaments.

The PINNACLES have often the same ornament, and are crowned with finials composed of a bunch of foliage.

The CORNICE often carries a large ornamental leaf in its hollow, and the projecting Corbel-table is no longer seen.

The earlier WINDOWS exhibit tracery which consists almost exclusively of plain foliated circles; but in the later examples other simple geometrical forms were employed. The heads of the window lights, occasionally plain, were more frequently, even in the earlier examples, and invariably in the later ones, cusped or foliated.

The CLERE-STORY usually contains a single window, or at most a pair, containing tracery similar to that of the side-aisle windows, and the Clere-story arcade altogether disappears.

The CORNICE is usually similar to that of the side-aisles.

_Interior Compartment._

The PIERS have occasionally, in the earlier examples, detached shafts; but they more usually consist of a solid mass of engaged shafts, separated by hollow mouldings, and disposed on the plan of a spherical triangle.

The BASES consist generally of a triple roll, standing on the usual plinth; and the CAPITALS carry foliage disposed much more freely and gracefully than in the preceding Period, and frequently of exquisite design.

The PIER-ARCHES have usually mouldings in three orders of very elegant profile, not so deeply cut, however, as in the Lancet Period: the favourite dog-tooth is nowhere seen, but late in the period a substitute for it was found in the ornament called the _Ball-flower_.

All BOSSES, FIGURES, and SCULPTURES of every kind are carved in the very best manner; and all STRING-COURSES and HOOD-MOULDINGS are moulded with the greatest care and elegance; indeed the art of carving in stone may be said to have attained its greatest perfection during this Period.

The TRIFORIUM in the earlier examples commonly contains a pair of double arches, carrying circular tracery in their heads: in the later examples, it becomes greatly reduced in size and prominence, and is made entirely subordinate to the Clere-story; and consists often of a low foliated arcade, or a band of plain tracery.

The inner arcade of the CLERE-STORY altogether disappears, and in its place is sometimes found a plane of Geometrical Tracery, corresponding with that of the window; but more commonly a single arch spans the entire compartment; and sometimes the gallery is dispensed with altogether.

The AISLE-ARCADE is often very elegant; the arches are usually foliated, and covered with a straight-sided canopy. Occasionally this arcade consists of a series of beautiful panels containing geometrical tracery, with mouldings of a very minute and elegant character.

Both the centre and side-aisles are generally covered with VAULTING of simple form, having characteristic bosses and rib-mouldings.

PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS

OF

THE GEOMETRICAL PERIOD.

WESTMINSTER Abbey Church Choir, Transepts. WESTMINSTER Abbey Church Chapter House. SALISBURY Cathedral Church Chapter House. HOWDEN Collegiate Church Transepts. ELY Cathedral Church South Transept, Chapel. HEREFORD Cathedral Church North Transept. LINCOLN Cathedral Church Presbytery. GRANTHAM Parish Church North Aisle. CHICHESTER Cathedral Church Nave, North Aisle. ST. ALBANS Abbey Church Choir. TINTERN Abbey Church Choir, Transepts. LICHFIELD Cathedral Church Nave. NEWSTEAD Abbey Church West End. YORK, ST. MARY'S Abbey Church Nave. EXETER Cathedral Church Lady Chapel. RIPON Cathedral Church East End. CHICHESTER Cathedral Church Lady Chapel. EXETER Cathedral Church Choir. MERTON COLLEGE Chapel Choir. YORK Cathedral Church Chapter House. SOUTHWELL Collegiate Church Chapter House. TEMPLE BALSALL Collegiate Church Chancel. HOWDEN Collegiate Church Nave. GUISBOROUGH Priory Church Choir. YORK Cathedral Church Nave. WELLS Cathedral Church Chapter House. ST. AUGUSTINE'S Abbey Gateway.