SEPARATE TILES FROM THE SAME PAVEMENT.] With the close of the first half of the century we come to the end of pronounced Italian detail such as pervades the tiles at Lacock, and characterises other isolated features in different parts of the country. The nature of the detail in the second half of the century is different; it no longer comprises the dainty cherubs, the elegant balusters, vases and candelabra, the buoyant dolphins, and delicately modelled foliage which are associated with Italian and French Renaissance work, but it indulges freely in strap work, curled and interlaced, in fruit and foliage, in cartouches, and in caryatides, half human beings, half pedestals, such as were the delight of the Dutchman of the time. But the extreme heaviness of the Dutch work was lightened in its passage across the water, and the English workmen seem to have improved upon their later models as much as they fell short of their earlier. There is a fine carved and inlaid chest in St. Mary Overie, Southwark, which shows this change in detail (Plate X.), but it is treated with more restraint than the woodwork of later years. It was the gift of Hugh Offley, and bears his initials and marks, as well as his arms and those of his wife's family: he was Lord Mayor in 1556, and is not unlikely to have given the chest in that year. [Illustration: 32.--LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE. THE STABLES (BETWEEN 1540 AND 1553).] In addition to the change in the character of the detail, we find a classic rendering of strings and cornices more prevalent; doorways became frequently round-headed instead of flat-pointed, windows became square-headed, and all accessories parted with what remains of Gothic character they may have possessed in favour of a classic treatment. But the general body of a building was less susceptible of change than were its particular features, and how the general body of such buildings as houses developed will be seen in the next chapter. [Illustration: 32A.--FROM THE SEDILIA, WYMONDHAM CHURCH, NORFOLK.] [Illustration: PLATE X. CHEST FROM ST. MARY OVERIE, SOUTHWARK (DATED 1556).] CHAPTER III. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOUSE-PLAN FROM ABOUT 1450 TO 1635. NOTE.--The plans are drawn to a uniform scale of 50 feet to the inch.