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| Essential
Architecture- Search by style
English Gothic Perpendicular Period c.1350–c.1550 |
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| The interior of Gloucester Cathedral
conveys an impression of a "cage" of stone and glass, as is typical of
Perpendicular architecture. The elaborate tracery of the Decorated style is
no longer in evidence, and the lines on both walls and windows have become
sharper and less flamboyant in manner. |
tower, towards the end of the 15th
century; New College, Oxford (1380–1386) |
nave and western transepts of Canterbury
Cathedral (1378–1411) |
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| Beauchamp Chapel, Warwick (1381–1391) |
choir and tower of York Minster
(1389–1407) |
Manchester Cathedral (1422) |
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| Winchester Cathedral (1399–1419) |
remodelling of the nave and aisles of
Winchester Cathedral (1399–1419) |
central tower of Magdalen College, Oxford
(1475–1480) |
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| transept and tower of Merton College,
Oxford (1424–1450) |
Sherborne Abbey (1475–c. 1580),
particularly noted for its vast fan-vaulted roof |
St Giles' Church, Wrexham, being of such
exceptional magnificence that it is known as one of the "Seven Wonders of
Wales" |
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| Bath Abbey |
Bath Abbey nave fan vaulting |
central tower of Gloucester Cathedral
(1454–1457) |
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Perpendicular Gothic
The Perpendicular Gothic period (or simply Perpendicular) is the third
historical division of English Gothic architecture, and is so-called because
it is characterised by an emphasis on vertical lines; it is also known as
International Gothic, the Rectilinear style, or Late Gothic.
The Perpendicular style began to emerge c. 1350. It was a development of the
Decorated style of the late 13th century and early 14th century, and lasted
into the mid 16th century
In the later examples of the Decorated Period the omission of the circles in
the tracery of windows had led to the employment of curves of double
curvature which developed into flamboyant tracery: the introduction of the
perpendicular lines was a reaction in the contrary direction.
Features of the style
This perpendicular linearity is particularly obvious in the design of
windows, which became very large, sometimes of immense size, with slimmer
stone mullions than in earlier periods, allowing greater scope for stained
glass craftsmen. The mullions of the windows are carried up into the arch
moulding of the windows, and the upper portion is subdivided by additional
mullions. Buttresses and wall surfaces are likewise divided up into vertical
panels. Another major development of this period was fan vaulting.
Doorways are frequently enclosed within a square head over the arch
mouldings, the spandrels being filled with quatrefoils or tracery. Pointed
arches were still used throughout the period, but ogee and "Tudor" arches
were also introduced.
Inside the church the triforium disappears, or its place is filled with
panelling, and greater importance is given to the clerestory windows, which
are often the finest features in the churches of this period. The mouldings
are flatter and less effective than those of the earlier periods, and one of
the chief characteristics is the introduction of large elliptical hollows.
Some of the finest features of this period are the magnificent timber roofs;
hammerbeam roofs, such as those of Westminster Hall (1395), Christ Church
Hall, Oxford, and Crosby Hall, appeared for the first time. In areas of
Southern England using flint architecture, elaborate flushwork decoration in
flint and ashlar was used, especially in the wool churches of East Anglia.
Notable examples
The earliest examples of the Perpendicular Period, dating from 1360, are
found at Gloucester Cathedral, where the masons of the cathedral would seem
to have been far in advance of those in other towns; the fan-vaulting in the
cloisters is particularly fine.
Among other buildings of note are:
the choir and tower of York Minster (1389–1407);
the nave and western transepts of Canterbury Cathedral (1378–1411),
the tower, towards the end of the 15th century; New College, Oxford
(1380–1386);
the Beauchamp Chapel, Warwick (1381–1391);
the remodelling of the nave and aisles of Winchester Cathedral (1399–1419);
the transept and tower of Merton College, Oxford (1424–1450);
Manchester Cathedral (1422);
the central tower of Gloucester Cathedral (1454–1457),
the central tower of Magdalen College, Oxford (1475–1480).
Sherborne Abbey (1475–c. 1580), particularly noted for its vast fan-vaulted
roof, Bath Abbey (although restored in the 1860s) and Henry VII's Lady
Chapel at Westminster Abbey (1503–1519) are notable later examples of this
style.
To those examples should be added the towers at St Giles' Church, Wrexham,
Coventry, Evesham, and St Mary's at Taunton, the first being of such
exceptional magnificence that it is known as one of the "Seven Wonders of
Wales". All of a kind, Eton College Chapel, Eton, King's College Chapel,
Cambridge (1446–1515) and Syon Abbey may also be put under this heading.
The Perpendicular style was often used in the Gothic Revival, most famously
in the Houses of Parliament: another fine example is Bristol University's
Wills Memorial Building (1915–1925).

In Gothic Revival- Houses of Parliament

In Gothic Revival- Bristol University's Wills Memorial Building (1915–1925) |
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