A B C of Gothic Architecture

74 PERIOD OF TEANSITIOX.
In the work at Fountains Abbey alreadymentioned,
the aisles are vaulted, and the width of the aisle being
greater than the space
between the pillars,it follows
that each compartment, or bay, of the vault was not
square, but oblong; the greater lengthbeing across the
aisle,where we have the semicircular arch or arch-ribs
to carry
the vault,the narrower space being from pillar
to pillar towards the choir : we have there the pointed
arch, and thus we have a succession of semicircular
arches down the length of the aisle,and a range of
pointed arches towards the choir : and the same on
each side. But although this may account for the use
of the pointedarch, it is still quite distinct from the
Gothic style; we have it at Fountains in pure
JN'orman
work half-a-century before we have the same arrangement
again at Canterbury, in the work of William of
Sens after the fire. Here, however, we have not only
the pointed arch, but it is accompanied by a general
change of
"
style, all
the accessories are undergoing
a rapid change. The moldings, the ornaments, the
sculpture,and all other details are of a more highly
finished and a lighterstyle.
The triforium- arcade of
Canterbury Cathedral is an excellent example, with
the arches pointed and recessed,abacus well-molded,
and foliagein the capitals.
Canterbury,as has been pointed out, is the earliest