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Chap. IIJ. NORMAN.

16D
tlie nave, :ii:d tcnnliiatecl towards the east in a semicircle. In larger cliurclies, tliere
is a nave and two side aisles, the latter being divided from the former by ranks of co-
lumns
; but no transe])ts appear till towards the latter part of the period.
"
WI e-
ther," observes JNIr. Millers, in his account of Ely Cathedral, whose system we ado])t,
"
their cimrches were ever higher than one tier of arches and a range of windows
Rbove (as at Ely), may be questioned. Richard, prior of Hexham, speaks of three stories,
which implies another tier of arches ; but if he is rightly so understood, this seems an ex-
ception from a general rule, for the church at Hexham is spoken of by all writers who
mention it, as the glory of Saxon churches in the seventh century. Afterwards, about 970,
a considerable change took place
;
transepts came into general use, with a s(|uare tower at
the intersection, rising but little above the root^ and chiefly ustd as a lantern to give light
to that part of the church. Towers were also erected at the west end : the use of them
coincides with the introduction of bells, at least of large and heavy ones." The churches
of this period were of small dimensions, and the comparative sizes of the Saxon and the Nor-
man churches which followed is almost a criterion of their age.
;591. King {^Muuiiiiniita .inttqua, vol. iv. p. '2-iO.) gives three aras of the Saxon sTy'e,
From Egbert, 59S, to the Norman ion()uest. It has been questioned by antiquaries
whether any Saxon rciniiins actually exist in tliis country; but, admitting their arguments,
which are founded on reterencis to recordsno mean authorities,it must be recollacted
that, on their own showing, some of these trencii so dose upon the period of the Conquest
as to show that the Saxon style miglit have prevailed in them, for ihe general change of
style in any art is not effected in a day. If we look for examples coeval with tlie Saxons
themselves, and without controversy to be attributed to them,, they will, perhaps, be found
only in crypts and baptismal fonts; for many churcht-s were rebuilt by the Noimais,
who left these parts untouched. The principal characteri-tics of the style now called
Anglo-Saxon, are a debased copy of Uoman details, comprisintr long and short masonry,
the ahsencH of buttresses, semicircular and triangular arches, rude balustres in the window
openings, hammer dressed wt)rk and unchiselled sculptures. Also the occasional use of
a rude round staircase to the west of the tower. A list of jJorlioiis of about one luindred
and fortv buildings is gi\en by Godwin, in English Archa:i>loijisCs HaiuUmoh, 1 SG7. The
CMstles oF Roman or Saxon foundatioji were, liichborough, in Kent
;
Castletown, in
Uerhysliire
;
Porchester, in Hampshire; Pevensey, in Sussex ;
Castor, in Norfolk ; Burgh,
in Suttwlk
;
Chesttrford, in Essex; Corfe, Dorset; Exeier Castle gateway; Dovir, in
Kent
;
and Beestoi), in CXe-.hiie. (See also Pniportion in Architecture, Book III.)
Sect. II.
KOU.MA.V AKCHlTECTUltE.
392. From the landing of William in 1066, architecture received an impulse, indicated
in various styles, which lasted till the time of the Tudors; when, as we shall hereafter see,
it gave way to one altogether different. That called the Norman style, which continued
from 1066 to nearly 1200, comprised the reigns of William I., William II., Henry I.,
Stephen, Henry II., and Richard I. The twelfth century exhibited a rage for building
in Britain more violent than has been since seen. The vast and general improvements that
were introduced into fabrics and churches in the first years of this century are thus de-
scribed by a contemporary writer
(
Order/c. Vital. Hist. Eccles.,\\h. x. p. 788.):

"The
cathedrals, and abundance of churches, newly built in all parts of the country, the great
number of splendid cloisters and monasteries, and other residences for monks, that were
there raised, sufficiently prove the happiness of England under the reign of Henry I.
I'eace and prosperity were enjoyed by the religious of all orders, who lent their whole power
to increase the magnificence and splendour of divine worship.
'1
he ardent zeal of the faithful
prompted them to rebuild their houses, and especially their churches, in a more suitable
manner. Thus the ancient edifices raised in the days of Edgar, Edward, and other Chris-
tian kings, were taken down, and others of greater magnitude, beauty, and more elegant
wi>rkinanship, were reared in their stead to the glory of God." As an example of the fervour
with which these objects were carried into effect, we cite the following instance, (juoting
from Dr. Henry, upon whom we have drawn, and shall draw, rather largely.
"
When Jollred,
abbot of Croyland, resolved to rebuild the church of his monastery in a most magnificent
manner (a.r. 1 106), he obtained from the archbishops of Canterbury and York a bull dis-
pensing with the third part of all penances for sin to those who contributed any thing
towards the building of that church. This bull was directed not only to the king and
people of England, but to the kings of France and Scotland, and to all other kings, earls,
barons, archbisiiops, bishops, abbots, priors, rectors, presbyters, and clerks, and to all true
believers in Christ, rich and poor, in all Christian kingdoms. To make the best use oi

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