Gothic Architecture: England

English architecture of the period beginning around the 1170s to the mid-16th century. For information about English architecture prior to the Gothic era, see Norman architecture.

Types of English Gothic English Gothic architecture is usually divided into three styles: Early English, or Early Pointed, from about 1174; Decorated, or Middle Pointed, from about 1330; and Perpendicular, or Late Pointed, (late 14th to mid 16th century). However, there was no abrupt line of change between these various periods; each style merged gradually into the next as new structural or decorative features were introduced. Sometimes the periods overlapped.

Distinguishing features One of the simplest ways of distinguishing these styles is by the design of their windows; but more important is the gradual development of vaulting and buttressing, whereby the thick walls and heavy barrel-vaults, the flat buttresses and the narrow windows of the 12th century came to be replaced by bolder buttresses with thinner walls between them, thinner vaults supported on stone ribs, and much larger windows filled with tracery.

Finally, in such late examples as King's College Chapel at Cambridge (1446–1515) and Henry VII's Chapel at Westminster (1500–12), the walls have become a mere panelled screen, mostly filled with glass. All the weight of the thin vaulted roof is carried by stone ribs that join on to very bold buttresses, capped with tall pinnacles which help to neutralize the downwards and outwards ‘thrust’ of the vaulting ribs, or (if there is no vaulting) of the timber roof-trusses.

Examples The chief examples of the three Gothic styles are:

Early English Cathedrals: most of Salisbury Cathedral; most of Lincoln Cathedral except the choir and west front; the west fronts of Peterborough and Ripon cathedrals; the choirs of Lichfield, Southwark, Southwell and Worcester cathedrals; most of Wells Cathedral including the west front; the nave of York Minster; the ‘Chapel of the Nine Altars’ at Durham Cathedral.

Other buildings: the choirs of Westminster Abbey and of the Temple Church in London; the choir and transepts of Beverley Minster.

Decorated Cathedrals: the naves of Exeter Cathedral and Lichfield Cathedral; the choirs of Bristol, Lincoln and St Albans cathedrals; the choir, west front and chapter-house of York; the chapter-houses of Salisbury, Southwell, and Wells cathedrals.

Other buildings: the nave of Beverley Minster; the parish church of Heckington, Lincolnshire.

Perpendicular Cathedrals: the naves of Canterbury Cathedral, Manchester Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral; the choirs of Gloucester Cathedral and York Minster; the cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral; the west fronts of Winchester and Gloucester cathedrals.

Other buildings: Sherborne Abbey; the west front of Beverley Minster; St George's Chapel, Windsor; King's College Chapel, Cambridge; Henry VII's Chapel, Westminster; the roof of Westminster Hall; several of the older colleges at Oxford and Cambridge.

Gothic architecture in England died out very slowly, especially in Oxford; but, from about 1640 onwards up to about 1830, all English Architecture was based on that of Rome, save for a few exceptions that led to the Greek Revival and the Gothic Revival towards the end of that period.

For information about European Gothic architecture, see Gothic architecture. For information about English architecture of later periods see English architecture.