Gothic in England

Architectural characteristics

• The distinctive characteristic of English cathedrals is

their extreme length
• and their internal emphasis upon the horizontal,
which may be emphasized visually as much or more
than the vertical lines.
• has an extraordinary degree of stylistic diversity
• English cathedrals sprawl across their sites
• with double transepts projecting strongly and Lady Chapel.
• In the west front, the doors are not very significant as in the
France . The usual congregational entrance being through a
side porch.
• The West window is very large and never a rose, which are
reserved for the transept gables.
Westminster abbey
• The west front may have two towers like a French
Cathedral, or none.
• A tower at the crossing and it may be very large and
surmounted by a spire.
• English east end is square

• Both internally and externally, the stonework is

often richly decorated with carvings, particularly the
capitals.
Westminster abbey
Eg: Westminister abbey
• The design is based on the continental system of
geometrical proportion.
• English features include single rather than double aisles
• a long nave
• wide projecting transepts.

• highest Gothic vault in England (nearly 102 feet) and it was

made to seem higher by making the aisles narrow.
Westminster abbey
• The Englishness is also apparent in the elaborate
mouldings of the main arches, the lavish use of
polished Purbeck marble for the columns and for all
sculptural decoration.
• The east-west axis was determined by the existing
position of the Lady Chapel.
• A spacious area between the high altar and the
beginning of the choir was necessary to provide a
‘theatre’ where coronations could take place.
1. Nave
2. Cloister
3. Chapter house
4. Henry chapel
• The stonework ,the sculptured roof dominates
• carvings are brightly coloured
• the wall arcades decorated in vermilion and gold.
• The walls were adorned with fine paintings.

• Brilliant ruby and sapphire glass, with heraldic shields

set in a grey monochrome pattern, filled the
windows.
• The chapel screens and tombs added to the display
of colour.
Westminster abbey
Cloister Chapter house