Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Gothic Definition
History and Architecture
- Aisle
- Altar
- Ambulatory
- Angel Roof
- Apophyge
- Apse
- Arcade
- Arch
- Archivolt
- Base
- Battlement
- Bay
- Belfry
- Bell Tower
- Bellcote
- Bench End
- Board Bell Turret
- Body
- Boss
- Box pew
- Bracket
- Broach Spire
- Buttress
- Canopy
- Capital
- Cartouche
- Chancel
- Chancel Arch
- Chancel Screen
- Chantry
- Chapel
- Chapter House
- Choir
- Clerestory
- Cloister
- Communion Rail
- Compound Column
- Consecration Cross
- Corbel Head
- Crossing
- Crypt
- Early English
- Easter Sepulchre
- Effigy
- Fan Vaulting
- Font
- Font cover
- Funerary Helm
- Gallery
- Gargoyle
- Gothic
- Green Man
- Grotesque
- Hatchment
- Herringbone
- Hogback Tomb
- Holy Water Stoup
- Hunky Punk
- Jesse Window
- Kempe Window
- Lady Chapel
- Lancet
- Lectern
- Lierne
- Lych Gate
- Misericord
- Monumental Brass
- Mullion
- Nave
- Ogee
- Organ
- Parclose Screen
- Parish Chest
- Pendant
- Perpendicular Gothic
- Pew
- Pinnacle
- Piscina
- Poor Box
- Poppy Head
- Porch
- Priest's Door
- Pulpit
- Purbeck Marble
- Quire
- Rebus
- Reliquary
- Reredos
- Retable
- Romanesque
- Rood
- Rood Loft
- Rood screen
- Rood Stair
- Rose Window
- Round Tower
- Sanctuary
- Sanctuary Knocker
- Saxon Period
- Scratch Dial
- Sedilia
- Spire
- Statue Niche
- Stoup
- Tomb Recess
- Tracery
- Transept
- Triforium
- Tympanum
- Undercroft
- Vaulting
- Victorian Gothic
- Wall Monument
- Wall Painting
- Wheel Window
Gothic
Originally a term of derision applied by post-medieval writers, who considered the architecture of the Middle Ages to be reminiscent of the destructive influence of the Goths on the classical civilisation of Rome. Gothic architecture in Britain was the period between the Norman, or Romanesque style, and the post-medieval Tudor style. It was originally called 'the French styl;e' as the principles of Gothic architectue first evolved in France. The main characteristics of Gothic church architecture are:
- Pointed arch
- Elaborate vaulting, using ribbed vaulting techniques
- Clustered shafts of piers
- Great interior height of buildings
- Large windows, often with elaborate, curved tracery and stained glass
There are three main periods of Gothic architecture:
- Early English (roughly 1180-1275)
- Decorated (1280-1380)
- Perpendicular (late 14th - early 16th century)
Gothic style was re-popularized during the Victorian period, when many churches were restored using the Victorian's interpretation of Gothic style. Such Victorian architecture is usually termed Gothic Revival, or Victorian Gothic.
Related: Arch Romanesque Early English Vaulting Victorian Gothic Tracery
