Chapter I: Preface

It is my hope that this little treatise may serve to enhance the pleasure and interest of such visitors to our ancient Churches as care for architectural details, and that it may help them to follow the development of one of the most beautiful features.

With this object I have endeavoured to be clear and concise. This has necessitated the rejection of scores of illustrations which might have added to the attractiveness of the book, but would also have added to its complexity. In making my selection I have had regard in every case to certain points which are briefly hinted in the list of illustrations.

In suggesting approximate dates I have been guided mostly by the character of the work, but I have compared my suggestions with records when available. Appearances are often safer guides than doubtful records.

For about one-fourth of the photographs from which the illustrations are made I am indebted to my son Mr Arthur Gardner, F.S.A. The rest are from my own negatives.

S. G.

HARROW

_January 1927_

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS _page_ ix

ABBREVIATIONS xvi

CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1

Pre-conquest and Anglo-Saxon work--Norman carrying on of Classical traditions--13th century Renaissance and progress--English and French development

CHAPTER II: PRIMITIVES 7

Anglian crosses--Anglo-Saxon embryo of Stiff-leaf--Byzantine elements

CHAPTER III: ROMANESQUE OR NORMAN 14

Shapes of capitals--Lombardic ornaments--Early experiments--French Corinthian--Scallops

CHAPTER IV: EARLY ENGLISH STIFF-LEAF 22

Basis of trefoils--Two types, the solid mid-rib and the hollowed or cut-out--Traditional and Progressive--Course of development

CHAPTER V: NATURALISTIC 33

The Return to Nature--Roses and Daisies, etc.

CHAPTER VI: DECORATED 39

Globular waves and Ripples--Stone-carving gives way to Wood-carving

CHAPTER VII: PERPENDICULAR 42

Squareness and drilled holes--Sprawling leafage--Final effort to return to Nature

CHAPTER VIII: MATERIALS 46

Form _v._ Surface--Building stone--Purbeck marble--Wood