1902 Norman Architecture 147 



continued in use throughout Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, 

 and Early English styles. As to vaulted ceilings, I think the 

 Norman builder intended them for cathedrals and abbeys, 

 and not for parish churches. I am aware of instances to the 

 contrary, but these I regard as exceptions and not the rule. 

 In parish churches the vaulted nave was rare, but the vaulted 

 chancel was not unusual. The vaulting of this period, both 

 early and late, shows considerable change. In the early 

 style, frequently the ribs of the arches are entirely omitted ; 

 at a later period the vaulting was supported by ribs, and 

 towards the end of the period these were frequently enriched 

 by grand bosses. 



Developments in the early (or true) Norman style went on 

 under the Norman kings ; in fact, before the close of the 

 reign of William the Conqueror's youngest son the Norman 

 style attained its greatest grandeur in Durham Cathedral. 

 But with the reign of Henry II. (1154-1189) the Transition 

 or later Norman style fairly set in. At first the change was 

 by almost imperceptible degrees ; the general character and 

 aspect of the work remained still decidedly Norman, as is 

 seen on the front and western transept of Ely Cathedral. 

 Briefly, some of the changes were as follows : the walls 

 became less massive ; the ornaments became richer and 

 more complex ; shafts and mouldings were multiplied ; and 

 the abacus became round instead of square. 



Lastly, the pressure of arch (and vault) on walls reduced in 

 massiveness revealed the lateral thrust. To combat this the 

 later Norman style introduced the buttress or external lean- 

 towards. These buttresses were at first stumpy, very massive, 

 and very ugly ; but later on the unsightliness was remedied, 

 and buttresses became higher, slender, and graduated. Notice 

 that the early buttresses were after-thoughts ; therefore one 

 seldom finds bond or tie stones in old buttresses — i.e., they 

 were built to lean against the lateral thrust, and to save the 

 walls from being pushed out of the perpendicular. Had 

 it not been for the buttress many of the Norman parish 

 churches would have fallen down ere this, and would have 

 left us no monument of Norman work to speak to our 

 generation. 



