The place in the national life which the mediaval cathedrals occupied was an important one, and must be realized if we would understand how they were regarded. In the absence of books and of people able to read them, cathedrals were erected and decorated partly as a means of popular education, the sculpture and the painted glass reflecting the incidents of Bible History from the creation to the redemption of mankind, the sculptured forms and brilliant colouring rendering them easily understood by the people. The virtues and vices, with their symbols, were also displayed, either in glass or statuary, along with their reward or punishment. Saints and angels told of the better life, and the various handicrafts, both of peace and war, were mirrored in imperishable stone or coloured glass. They, to a large extent, took the place in our social state since occupied by such modern institutions as the Board School, Free Library, Museum, Picture Gallery and Concert Hall. They were the history books of the period. Architecture then as now was also the grand chronicle of secular history, past and present, in which Kings, Nobles and Knights were represented. The plans (Nos. 89 and 116) are generally in the form of a Latin cross, the short arms forming the transepts. The cruciform ground plan is considered by some as a development from the early Christian basilicas, such as Old St. Peter's at Rome (page 118), and by others, as evolved from the cruciform buildings erected for sepulchral purposes as early as the period of Constantine. A tower, sometimes crowned with a spire, is generally erected over the crossing or at the west end. As a rule the nave is the portion to the westward, and the choir, containing the bishop and clergy, is that to the eastward of the crossing. The arms north and south are called the transepts (No. 89). Each of these divisions is further divided into a central nave and side aisles, separated by columns or piers. The principal entrance, often richly ornamented, is at the west end, or by a porch on the south or north sides. The columns to the nave support the arches, which carry the main walls of the church, rising above the aisle roof (No. 81). Above the arcade, it will be seen there are a series of small arches, opening into a dark space caused by the height of the sloping roof of the aisle; this is called the triforium, or blind storey. Above the triforium is a range of windows in the main wall, admitting light into the upper part of the nave; this division is called the clerestory, or "clear story," probably derived from the French word clair, or light, here admitted by the many windows in this portion of the nave wall. The head of these windows is generally the level of the ridge of the stone vault of the nave, which is covered in by a high pitched wooden roof. The east ends or choirs, usually square-ended, in England (No. 89) are generally richer than the remainder of the church, and the floor is raised above the nave level by steps. The east ends of Norwich, Peterborough (altered), Lichfield and Canterbury, of Norman origin, are circular, while Westminster Abbey has a ring of chapels or chevêt. The lady-chapel is placed beyond the choir at the extreme east end, as at Norwich, Peterborough (No. 89 c), and Salisbury, or on one side, as at Ely (No. 89 B). The cloisters are generally, but not invariably, south and west of the transept, the warmest and most sheltered position, Besides being used for the studies, reading and writing of the monks, they were also the centre of the secular affairs of the community. Such is the general distribution of the parts of a cathedral or large church, from which, naturally, many deviations will be noticed. For instance, the position and number of transepts vary, as will be seen on reference to Nos. 89, 116, 120, 128, 148. Great length, and central towers (see Chichester, Durham, Worcester, Rochester, Oxford, York, Chester, Gloucester and Wells), are features of English cathedrals; western towers also occur in many examples, as at Lichfield (with spires), Durham, Canterbury, York, Wells, Lincoln and Ripon. Compared with such long, low, and highly grouped examples, continental cathedrals seem short, high, and often shapeless, owing to the intricacy and profusion of their buttressing (Nos. 81, 115). In churches, a single western tower is characteristic of English work (No. 98). The interior of a Gothic cathedral has been thus described: "The tall shafts that mount in massy pride, Their mingling branches shoot from side to side; In many a maze, the wreathed window planned, The English Cathedrals, as a general rule, owe much of their beauty to their surroundings; they are generally placed in a large open space called the Close, as at Canterbury, Lincoln (No. 94) and Salisbury (No. 90)— "The ranged ramparts bright From level meadow-bases of deep grass Suddenly sealed the light " or are situated picturesquely on the banks of a river, as at Worcester, or Durham, "Grand and vast that stands above the Wear;" or, as Milton so descriptively has it, are "Bosom'd high 'mid tufted trees." were The French Cathedrals, on the other hand, are often completely surrounded by houses and shops, which in many cases actually built against the wall of the church itself (No. 123). For comparison of English and French Cathedrals, see page 261. MONASTIC BUILDINGS were attached to abbey churches of the various religious orders (see ante, page 145). A complete monastery, of which Westminster Abbey (No. 96) is a good example, generally included beside the church: (a.) A Cloister Court, off which were placed the Chapter House, with the Sacristy between it and the church, and the dormitory adjoining the church, approached by a separate staircase. The cellarage for beer, wine and oil, etc., was often placed under the dormitory. On the opposite side to the church were the refectory (dining hall) and kitchens, thus placed to keep away noise and smell. The lavatory was placed in the south cloister walk at Westminster, Wells, Chester, Peterborough and Gloucester. (b.) An Inner Court, with infirmary, guest house, kitchen, servants' hall, library and scriptorium (the writing and illuminating room for making copies of books). (c.) A Common Court, with double gateway for carts, surrounded by granaries, bakehouses, stables, store rooms, servants' rooms, tribunal, prison, abbot's lodging, and barn. (d.) The Church Court or Close, open to the public; and (c.) mills, workshops, gardens, orchards, and fishponds, etc. Monasteries answered the purpose of inns in little frequented places, as is the case to this day on the continent. The monks according to their several orders favoured different pursuits. The Benedictine was the chronicler and most learned of monks, and his dress was adopted by University students; the Augustinian favoured preaching and disputations; the Cistercian was the recluse, the friend of the poor, interested in agriculture and industrial pursuits; the Cluniac was the student and artist; the Carthusian the ascetic; and the Friars the missionary preachers of the period. For a short description of the different orders of monks and friars, with characteristic plans adopted by them in their churches, see page 145. SECULAR ARCHITECTURE. See under each country. 4. COMPARATIVE. Refer to each country, and see page 309 for comparative analysis between the Gothic and Renaissance styles. 5. REFERENCE BOOKS. Refer to each country and General Reference Books (page 5). F.A. ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE. ROMANESQUE (NORMAN) AND GOTHIC. "Diffused in every part, Spirit divine through forms of human art, Faith had her arch, --her arch when winds blew loud, Into the consciousness of safety thrill'd; And Love her towers of dread foundation, laid Under the grave of things. Hope had her spire Star high, and pointing still to something higher."-WORDSWORTH. 1. INFLUENCES. i. Geographical. The position of England may well be considered unique. "England, bound in with the triumphant sea, This fortress built by nature for herself SHAKESPEARE, Richard II. England has a connection with all the oceans of the world, and lies opposite the most populous, industrial, and wealthy plains of Europe. Isolation by the sea has had two alternating influences; it has assisted in the development of purely national characteristics, and again by giving rise to an incurable habit of travelling, has led to the importation of every phase of continental ideas and work. ii, Geological. The geology of the country is, in some way, responsible for the special character of the building in different |