Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/326

 268 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. facade, than by the level lines of the heavy horizontal Classic cornices, which are more effective under the Grecian or Italian sun, which moves higher in the firmament. Snow and inclement weather were responsible for the high pitched Gothic roof of Northern Europe. iv. Religion. — Introductory remarks and a description of the various orders of monks are given on page 218. The immense power of the Popes, which was probably at its height in the thirteenth century, was evidenced in the way they made and unmade Emperors and Kings and disposed of their dominions. The clergy, in consequence of their learning, also took a pro- minent part in temporal affairs, and by so doing attracted wealth and power to their orders. In Germany, many of the Abbots and Bishops were prmces of the Empire, and the Archbishops of Cologne, Treves, and Mayence were among the Electors of the Emperor. The worship of relics, and of local saints (as S. Hugh at Lincoln, S. Thomas at Canterbury, S. Swithun at Winchester), the periodical pilgrimages, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and other forms of ritual, also had their influence on the monuments. Mariolatry was responsible for the addition of lady chapels either laterally, as at Ely (No. 117 a), or at the eastern extremity, as at Salisbury (No. 117 e). The demand for chapels dedicated to particular saints, for an ambulatory to be used for processional purposes, and the foundation of chantry chapels where masses for the dead could be repeated, also affected the general plan of many buildings. V. Social and Political. — Refer to each country. The growth of towns which developed into important cities brought about an increase of riches and the erection of magnificent build- ings owing to municipal rivalries. In Italy, the country was divided into different portions belonging to the larger towns, which afterwards became principalities, whereas in Germany, towns joined together for mutual defence, amongst the most famous being those forming the Hanseatic league. vi. Historical. — Refer to each country. 2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER. The principles and cliaracter of Gothic architecture were similar throughout Western Europe, and are indicated on No. 109. The fully-developed Gothic art of the thirteenth century was the style which had been slowly developing itself throughout Europe as a necessary sequence of Romanesque art, and is mainly recog- nized because of the introduction and use in door and window openings, arcades, vaulting and ornamentation of the pointed arch