The Introduction deals with symbols as the motive of Gothic design. In the following pages the various periods of English Gothic are defined by their predominating forms and ornaments dating from the seventh to the sixteenth centuries. Simple examples have been chosen in order to avoid the confusion which might result from the choice of more complex illustrations. In the preparation of the illustrations the works of Agincourt, Didron, Owen Jones, and the late Jethro A. Cossins, have been consulted for those of Plate I. Of the remaining, Plate II., Fig. 5, and Plate V., Fig. 1, are from works of Parker and Rickman respectively. Five details are from photographs; the remainder are from original sketches and studies by the Author. LIST OF PLATES PLATE PAGE I. BYZANTINE AND EARLY CHRISTIAN 13 II. ANGLO-SAXON 21 III. NORMAN 27 IV. TRANSITIONAL, 1145-1190 (NORMAN TO EARLY ENGLISH) 35 V. EARLY ENGLISH 39 VI. DECORATED 45 VII. DECORATED 47 VIII. PERPENDICULAR 53 IX. PERPENDICULAR 55 X. ENGLISH GOTHIC ROOFS 63 XI. VAULTING 71 XII. VAULTING 73 CHRONOLOGY The popular classification of English Gothic Architecture divides the style into four periods, thus: Norman William I., 1066, to Richard I., 1189. Early English Richard I., 1189, to Edward I., 1272. Decorated Edward I., 1272, to Richard II., 1377. Perpendicular Richard II., 1377, to Edward VI., 1547. These terms are useful, but not sufficiently descriptive. They were superseded by the late Edmund Sharpe’s “Seven Periods,” the terms of which are derived from the forms of the windows and their tracery, but are applicable to other details. SHARPE’S “SEVEN PERIODS.” Saxon 1066. Norman 1066 to 1145. Transitional 1145 ” 1190. Lancet 1190 ” 1245. Geometrical 1245 ” 1315. Curvilinear 1315 ” 1360. Rectilinear 1360 ” 1550. PLATE I BYZANTINE AND EARLY CHRISTIAN [Illustration: PLATE I] English Church Architecture of the Middle Ages INTRODUCTION PLATE I BYZANTINE AND EARLY CHRISTIAN