Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/149

Rh Bk. VI. Ch, III. PLANS OF ENGLISH CATHEDRALS. 133 for effect. The apsidal arrangement, so universal in Norman cathe- drals, has disappeared never to return, except in Westminster Abbey, (1245-1269), and in some readjustments, as at Tew- kesbury ; and the square eastern termination may henceforth be considered as established in this country — the early sym- bol of that independence which eventually led to the Reformation. Once the Salisbury plan came to be considered the true English type, the Nor- man cathedrals were grad- ually modified to assimi- late their arrangements to ^ it. The nave and tran- sept of Winchester were already too extensive to admit of a second transept, but the choir was rebuilt on the new model ; and when afterwards the nave was remodelled by William of Wykeham it became one of the most beautiful, as it continued to be the longest of English cathedrals (556 feet, over all). About the same time Ely had a choir and ])res- bytery added to it in lieu of the old Norman choir, which raised it to the very first rank among Englisli churches ; ^ and when, in 1322, by a fortunate acci- dent the old Norman tower fell, the intersection was rebuilt in a 569. Plan of Salisbury Cathedral. Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. ' The proper effect of this part of Ely Cathedral lias been seriously marred by the erection of the new reredos. In itself a fair specimen of modern Gothic, it is placed so far from the choir as to lose its proper effect. It is painfully dwarfed by the large plain area in front of it. But worse than this, it cuts up and destroys the most beautiful presby- tery in England after the Angel Choir at Lincoln. The architects of Walsing- hani's time glazed two compartments of the triforiuni to throw light upon the principal object in the choir, which was intended to stand two bays farther for- ward. It would have been well if the lOtli century restorers had taken the hint.