1902 Norman Architecture 303 



the product of western art, and that it was imported into 

 Palestine, Sicily, and wherever else found at the time of the 

 Crusaders. There was nothing like it in Palestine, so far as 

 I am aware, before this time." All the Palestine works 

 referred to in the above were built between a.d. 1140 and 

 1180.^ They were designed in the Norman style, and were 

 of similar kind of buildings as those erected at the same time 

 in Europe. Here, I think, I ought to point out that the 

 Norman architecture was developed at the end of the 

 eleventh century, became more refined and intricate at 

 the middle of the twelfth century, and then was superseded 

 by the Early English. The first of these dates coincides 

 with the capture of Jerusalem by the Crusaders in a.d. 1099, 

 and the last with the recapture of Jerusalem by Saladin in 



A.D. 1187.^ 



Having briefly pointed out the external indications of 

 Norman work, I will now draw attention to some of the 

 internal indications. The word " capital " is so well known 

 as to require no definition. Its form is often a guide as to 

 fixing the date of the building. The upper part of the 

 capital out of which the arch mouldings rise is called 

 " abacus," and its square form in all Norman work is 

 particularly noticeable. In the Transition period both 

 square and circular forms of the abacus are met with side 

 by side, just as semicircular and pointed arches occur to- 

 gether. This mingling of these forms is only to be met 

 with in the Transition period. The choir of Canterbury 

 Cathedral, rebuilt in a.d. 1174 — i.e., four years after the 

 murder of Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury — is 

 the finest example, I think, of this mingling of the two said 

 forms. The "round" of the Temple Church, London, is 

 another good example. 



The most common shape of the body of the capital is 



^ Dr Cunningham Geikie in his ' Holy Land and the Bible' says, " Every part 

 of the country bears witness to the gigantic energy of the western nations, great 

 forts, churches, hostelries, being built as if to last for ever." 



^ Towards the end of the twelfth century the Crusaders' hold on Palestine 

 became very insecure. In 1185 Heraclios, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, together 

 with the Grand Masters of the Templars and Hospitallers, gave to Henry H. the 

 keys of the Holy Sepulchre as an appeal for help. The Patriarch then dedicated 

 the Temple Church, London. 



