Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/305

Rh Bk. VII. Ch. IV. BATALHA. 289 Similar chapels at Burgos and Murcia have already been noticed, but this was to have surpassed them all, and if completed would have been the most gorgeous mausoleum erected during the Middle Ages. It is curious to observe how the tradition of the circular tomb- house behind the altar remained constant in remote provinces to the latest age. The plan of this church is virtually that of St. Martin at Tours, of St. Benigne at Dijon (Woodcuts Nos. 341, 343), and of other cluirches in Aquitania. It is easy to see how by re- niovino; the intermediate walls this basilica would become a chevet church, complete except for the difference in the span of the two parts. Had the mausoleum been finished, the wall separating it from the churcli would not improbably have been re- moved. The plan of this tomb- house is interesting as being that of the lai-gest Gothic dome attempted, and as showing how happily the Gothic forms adapt them- selves to this purpose, and how easily any amount of abutment may be obtained in this style with the utmost deofree of litjhtness and the most admirable play of per- spective ; indeed no construc- tive difficulties intervene to prevent this dome having been twice its present diam- eter (65 ft.) ; in which case it would have far surpassed Sta. Maria del Fiore and all the pseudo-classical erections that have since disfigured the fair face of Europe. Generally speaking, neither the proportions nor the details of this church are good ; it was erected in a country where the principles of Gothic art were either misapprehended or unknown, and where a lavish amount of expenditure in carving and ornament was thought to be the best means of attaining beauty. The church from this VOL. II. — 19 732. Plan of the Church at Batalha. Murphy.) Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. (From