LANCET PERIOD.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTIC.
THE LANCET WINDOW USED SINGLY, IN COUPLETS AND TRIPLETS, AND ARRANGED
IN GROUPS OF FOUR, FIVE, AND SEVEN.
_Exterior Compartment._
The BUTTRESSES have considerable projection, are divided into stages,
and have usually a plain pyramidal capping, and sometimes a plain
pinnacle.
The BASE-COURSE Has also more projection and importance, and its upper
members are frequently moulded.
FLYING-BUTTRESSES often span the roof of the side-aisle to support the
main vaulting.
The WINDOWS in the earliest examples stand alone as single windows;
they are also sometimes placed singly in a continuous arcade; later
still in triplets under one arch, the centre one being the tallest, and
in some instances two lancets are coupled under one arch,--the spandrel
between them being frequently pierced with a quatrefoil, or other
opening.
The PARAPET has occasionally sunk ornaments upon it, and is carried by
a cornice having a few deep mouldings, with a flower, or other ornament
at intervals, or by a trefoiled Corbel-table, or by a series of
blocks.
_Interior Compartment._
The PIERS consist most commonly of a cluster of shafts, disposed in a
circular form. These shafts sometimes stand entirely free, and surround
a large circular or octagonal column, and are banded in the middle.
The CAPITALS have sometimes one or two rows of stiff projecting leaves,
of a bulbous form, which appear to grow out of the neck of the capital,
and sometimes a single or double series of minute deeply cut mouldings;
the square form of capital, both in the plan and in the upper edge of
the abacus, entirely disappears.
The BASES consist almost invariably of a deep small hollow, set between
two rounds, standing on a square-edged plinth; and greatly resemble the
ordinary Attic base.
The PIER-ARCHES usually show three orders, of small deeply cut
mouldings of alternate rounds and hollows, the number and depth of
which give an exceedingly rich and characteristic appearance to all the
arches of this Period. The peculiar ornament called the _dog-tooth_,
which is formed by hollowing out the sides of a series of contiguous
pyramids notched out of an angular projection, occurs constantly in the
arch-mouldings, as well as in almost every other part of buildings
where an opportunity of carving it presents itself.
The HOOD-MOULDING, resting on small and elegant heads or bosses, is an
almost invariable accompaniment of arches of every description.
The VAULTING-SHAFT sometimes rises from the floor in front of the
principal Pier,--but more usually from a corbel-shaft, resting on a
large ornamental corbel, placed immediately over the pier; it consists
generally of a triple cluster of small elegant shafts, with hollows
between them.
The TRIFORIUM-ARCH generally covers two smaller arches; but
occasionally, a pair of principal Triforium-arches cover two pair of
subordinate arches, which are sometimes plain, and sometimes trefoiled;
the spandrel wall above them being ornamented with foliage, or a sunk
trefoil, and sometimes pierced through with a quatrefoil or other
opening. Sometimes, indeed, one large primary arch covers two secondary
arches, which again contain two small tertiary arches; thus fully
developing the principle of subordination in this part of the building.
The principal TRIFORIUM-PIERS generally exhibit a row of light shafts
on the face of a solid pier, carrying arch-mouldings of three orders,
and separated sometimes by a line of dog-tooth moulding, or stiff
foliage.
The _secondary piers_ are usually single, double, or triple detached
shafts, carrying the smaller arches.
Where the Triforium contains three orders of piers, the _tertiary pier_
consists of a single shaft only, carrying the third order of
arch-mouldings.
The VAULTING-SHAFT usually terminates in an elegant capital, just below
the Clerestory-string, the mouldings of which form in that case the
impost mouldings of the capital. The ARCADE generally corresponds with
the windows, and consists either of a row of continuous arches, of
equal height, or, as is commonly the case, of three tall arches carried
on a triple shaft, of which the centre one is the loftiest: the
mouldings and ornaments being similar to those of the rest of the
building.
The VAULTING is generally simple, and acute, and usually of the
quadripartite or sexpartite form.
The AISLE-ARCADE consists generally of a series of plain, or
trefoil-headed arches on single shafts, carrying the usual mouldings
and ornaments.
PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS
OF
THE LANCET PERIOD.
LINCOLN Cathedral Church Choir.
WORCESTER Cathedral Church Choir.
WINCHESTER Cathedral Church Lady Chapel.
FOUNTAINS Abbey Church Choir, East Transept.
WHITBY Abbey Church Choir.
YORK Cathedral Church N. and S. Transepts.
BOLTON Abbey Church Nave.
BEVERLEY Minster Choir, Transepts.
LINCOLN Cathedral Church Nave.
LICHFIELD Cathedral Church Chapter House.
WELLS Cathedral Church West Front.
PETERBOROUGH Cathedral Church West Front.
SOUTHWELL Collegiate Church Choir.
OXFORD Cathedral Church Chapter House.
HEREFORD Cathedral Church Lady Chapel.
LANERCOST Abbey Church Nave.
DURHAM Cathedral Church East Transept.
RIEVAULX Abbey Church Choir.
LONDON Temple Church Choir.
SALISBURY Cathedral Church Choir.
WORCESTER Cathedral Church Presbytery.
WHITBY Abbey Church N. Transept.
ELY Cathedral Church Presbytery.