All the three styles, _Early English_, _Decorated_, and _Perpendicular_, make up what is known as GOTHIC architecture. The name is unfortunately a meaningless one; for it does not in any way refer to the architecture of the Goths, as the name NORMAN does to the architecture of the Normans. The great difference between the two styles is that whereas the roof of a _Norman_ building was supported by the walls, the roof of a _Gothic_ building was supported not by the walls, but by the buttresses, some of which might be constructed in the form of bridges. Such buttresses are known as _flying buttresses_. It would be almost true to say that we might knock down every inch of wall in Beverley Minster or Patrington Church and yet leave standing the framework and roof of the buildings, with the western towers of the one and the central spire of the other. Such buildings are perfect in design, and their perfectness is due to the knowledge and skill which were possessed by their architect-builders. Gothic architecture grew like a plant, and reached its full development in the _Perpendicular_ style, when the enthusiasm for church-building was at its height. Most of our village churches show signs of having been in part rebuilt during the period when the _Perpendicular_ style flourished, and one of its most marked features is a lofty central or western tower, such as we see at Hedon, Howden, and Driffield. For a long time after the Reformation there was no fresh church-building, and little church-repair. What little attention our ancient parish churches had at the repairers’ hands was often of the kind that is called ‘churchwarden’ restoration, an example of which we see in the accompanying photograph of a portion of Welwick Church. Now, happily, such is a thing of the past, and our church restorers aim at a restoration which is true to its name. [Illustration: _Photo by_] [_C.W. Mason_ ‘Churchwarden’ Restoration at Welwick Church. ] It is unusual to find an ancient parish church built in one style throughout. But Filey Church is almost entirely on the border-line between _Norman_ and _Early English_; Patrington Church is almost entirely _Decorated_; and Skirlaugh Church, which was built by Walter Skirlaw, Bishop of Durham, about 1403, is entirely _Perpendicular_. Modern churches are, on the other hand, usually in one style throughout. The churches of Kilnwick Percy, East Heslerton, and Sledmere will serve as good examples of modern _Norman_, modern _Early English_, and modern _Decorated_ styles. [Illustration: _Photo by_] [_C.W. Mason_ A Grotesque ‘Poppy-Head’ at Holy Trinity, Hull. ]