Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/444

 386 COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE. were brought together under the rule of the Dukes of Valois, descendants of the French kings. Early in the sixteenth century the Netherlands belonged to Charles V. (1519-1555). During the Middle Ages the cities of the Low Countries were the richest and most powerful in Europe, and were constantly at war with one another. 2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER. The architecture of Belgium during this period was of two main types, that of the hilly part partaking of German, and that of the level part (Flanders) partaking of French character. A mixture of Spanish features is observable in many of the domestic build- ings, but in the Town Halls a national style of architecture was evolved, which for this class of buildings is unequalled in other countries. Dutch architecture, although somewhat resembling German, has a natural character of its own. Much of the orna- ment in many of the fine, large, and lofty churches of the fifteenth century has, however, been destroyed, owing to iconoclastic zeal. The Dutch character of simplicity is translated into the barn-like churches, and for this reason the architecture of Holland is of less interest than that of Belgium. 3. EXAMPLES. ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE. The cathedrals show a general inclination to French ideas in the general disposition of their plans. Tournai Cathedral (a.d. i 146-1338) is a good example, illustrating the styles of three successive periods. The nave is Romanesque ; the circular-ended transepts with four towers and a lantern are of the Transition period, and the choir, with complete chevet, fully developed Gothic, very light and elegant in character. Brussels Cathedral (a.d. 1226-1280) (No. 167) is one of the finest examples, the choir (1226) being generally considered the earliest Gothic work in Belgium, The eastern termination has a half-developed chevet, and the choir has large side chapels. The vaulting and nave windows date from 1350-1450. Antwerp Cathedral (a.d. 1352-1411) (Nos. 154 c, 167) is the finest church in Belgium, and is remarkable for nave and treble aisles, the latter of equal heights, and narrow aisleless tran- septs. The west front (1422-1518), with its single western tower and spire, is rich and elegant but over-decorated, displaying the florid taste of the period. Bruges, Haarlem, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Ypres, and Ghent Cathedrals are other well-known examples.