Decorated Gothic

More complex flying buttresses and more carvings (free-flowing images incorporating animals, birds, humans and plants) allowed masons to show their skills

Columns forming arcades were more slender and elegant and often capped with foliage capitals.

Examples

Exeter Cathedral www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk

Dedicated in 1050 to St Peter

The original Anglo-Saxon minster was already in town but the cathedral moved from Crediton because of the sea raids

In 1107 the nephew of William the Conqueror (William Warelwest) was appointed bishop and began the building plans in the Norman style with the foundation being laid in 1133.

Bishop Walter Bronescombe decided in 1258 that the building was old fashioned and started the process of replacing with a cathedral in the Decorated style having been inspired by the grandeur of near by Salisbury Cathedral which was constructed in the Early English Gothic style

The Norman building was kept but additions were made in the local stone of Purbeck Marble.

The cathedral was completed in 1400

Later additions included the chapter house and chantries

Lichfield Cathedral www.lichfield-cathedral.org

Dedicated to St Chad & St Mary

A succession of religious buildings were constructed on the site – the first cathedral being in the Norman style

The current cathedral was built from 1195 but contains many later additions

The internal length is 370ft, breadth of nave is 68ft

The central tower is 252ft high

Constructed from sandstone from quarries to the South of Lichfield

Because of the weight of the stone vaulting in the nave the walls lean out slightly

By 1500 there were 200 altars but many of these were destroyed in the Reformation

Restoration work was commenced under Bishop Hackett in the 1660s with changes later in the 18^th century (William Wyatt) and the mid 19^th century (Sir George Gilbert Scott) at which time the medieval splendour returned to the cathedral