ernal Decorations of English Churches, British
Critic, April, 1839.

[79-*] The date of the _foundation_ of an abbey or church must not,
however, be confounded with that of its actual _erection_, which was often
many years later, and the only certain guide to which is the date of the
_Consecration_.

[83-*] In the minute and circumstantial account which Gervase gives of the
partial destruction of this cathedral by fire, A. D. 1174, and its after
restoration, he seems to allude, though in obscure language, to the
altered form of the vaulting in the aisles of the choir (_in circuitu
extra chorum_); and his comparison, with reference to this building,
between early and late Norman architecture is altogether so curious and
exact as to deserve being transcribed:--

"Dictum est in superioribus quod post combustionem illam vetera fere omnia
chori diruta sunt, et in quandam augustioris formae transierunt novitatem.
Nunc autem quae sit operis utriusque differentia dicendum est. Pilariorum
igitur tam veterum quam novorum una forma est, una et grossitudo, sed
longitudo dissimilis. Elongati sunt enim pilarii novi longitudine pedum
fere duodecim. In capitellis veteribus opus erat planum, in novis
sculptura subtilis. Ibi in chori ambitu pilarii viginti duo, hic autem
viginti octo. Ibi arcus et caetera omnia plana utpote sculpta secure et non
scisello, his in omnibus fere sculptura idonea. Ibi columpna nulla
marmorea, hic innumerae. Ibi in circuitu extra chorum fornices planae, hic
arcuatae sunt et clavatae. Ibi murus super pilarios directus cruces a choro
sequestrabat, hic vero nullo intersticio cruces a choro divisae in unam
clavem quae in medio fornicis magnae consistit, quae quatuor pilariis
principalibus innititur, convenire videntur. Ibi coelum ligneum egregia
pictura decoratum, hic fornix ex lapide et tofo levi decenter composita
est. Ibi triforium unum, hic duo in choro, et in ala ecclesiae
tercium."--De Combust. et Repar. Cant. Ecclesiae.

[Illustration: Doorway, Paulscray Church, Kent.]

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE EARLY ENGLISH STYLE.

Q. During what era did the Early English style prevail?

A. It may be said to have prevailed generally throughout the thirteenth
century[86-*].

Q. How is it distinguished from the Norman and Semi-Norman styles?

A. The semicircular-headed arch, with its peculiar mouldings, was almost
entirely discarded, and superseded by the pointed arch, with plain
chamfered edges or mouldings o