ABSTRACT
Following an initial note on the early use of building stone in England, the development of architectural styles is described and illustrated: Saxon, Norman, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular, with brief notes on the styles from the Tudor period onwards. It is noted that this development from trabeated (beams) to arcuated (arc-shaped) to Gothic was an inevitable progression based on continually increased understanding of mechanical principles. Modern architecture is discussed and the postmodern style is explained via the ‘bundled pilasters’ at the entrance to the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in London. Next, the work of two outstanding architects is described: the Roman Marcus Vitruvius Pollio and the English Sir Christopher Wren. This Section includes a description of the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral after the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the demonstration from Sir Christopher’s sketches that he understood the arch stability principles which are described earlier in this Chapter. The subject of architecture has its own words for the various components of stone buildings and so a list of 12 books containing glossaries of architectural terms is included. Copious, full-colour illustrations, an extensive background bibliography together with the information the book contains, will enhance the reader’s appreciation of the built environment whether in the countryside or in the city.
