Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . rocketted spire between fourspirelets surmounted each of the four towers, and Wilarsssketch shows the lower part of those on the westerntower. They have now all disappeared, but that onthe Tour de lHorloge lasted till the Revolution, whenit had to be removed, being dangerously out of theupright. The construction of these openwork stages is obviouslyunsuitable for carrying weight. In the later, but some-what similar tower at S. Pere sous Vezelay in Burgundy(Plate XV), there is only a wooden spire. This charmingsteeple, which dates from about 1
Gothic architecture in France, England, and Italy . rocketted spire between fourspirelets surmounted each of the four towers, and Wilarsssketch shows the lower part of those on the westerntower. They have now all disappeared, but that onthe Tour de lHorloge lasted till the Revolution, whenit had to be removed, being dangerously out of theupright. The construction of these openwork stages is obviouslyunsuitable for carrying weight. In the later, but some-what similar tower at S. Pere sous Vezelay in Burgundy(Plate XV), there is only a wooden spire. This charmingsteeple, which dates from about 1240, is attached to ahumble church, and the great gable with its niches andstatuary has nothing behind it. The porch or narthex, 1 Jai este en mult de tieres si com vos porez trover en cest livre. Enaucun liu onques tel tor ne vi com est cele de Loon. Ed. Willis, p. 57,Plates LXVII, LXVIII. 2 These porches, however, were entirely reconstructed by the architectof the restoration, M. Bceswillwald. Broche, op. cit. p. 24. S. Peresous Vezelay Plate XV. T. G. J. S. PERE -SOUS VEZELAY ch. v] EARLY FRENCH GOTHIC 91 on which the picturesque effect of the composition depends s. Pereso much, is a later addition. Great lightness is given to Vezeiaythe angles of the tower by the detached shafts, and thewhole effect is airy and delightful. The union of theoctagon with the square is artistically contrived by runningthe angle shafts of the octagon down into the the tower abounds in awkwardness of detail, whichhowever does not mar the effect seriously. To return to Laon. We must not overlook the ancient with its great hall overlooking the ramparts and Evechethe wide plain below, and its two-storeyed chapel in theearliest pointed style, built by Bishop Gautier, thefounder of the present cathedral; nor the early churchof S. Martin with its square east end like the cathedral, s. MartinThere are few towns in France more full of interest thanLaon, and the picture of the ancie
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Keywords: ., bookauthorjacksont, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1915
