SPIRE, a acute pyramidal roof in common use over the towers of churches. The history of spires is somewhat obscure, but there is no doubt that the earliest exam ples of anything of the kind arc the pyramidal roofs of the turrets of Norman date. Those of St. Peter's, Oxford, and Rochester cathedrals, are good specimens of circular and octagonal spirts on a small scale. Spires of this early period are much lower than those of later date. The early English style has spires of acute form over the larger towers. They are generally what are termed broach spires, i.e., the slopes spring from the cornice of the tower svitlsout any parapet, and at the point where the square changes to the octagon there is -a small act-off or separate roof. Sometimes the angles at top of towers were occupied with pinnacles or sloping masses of masonry, as at Bayeux cathe dral, Normandy.
In the decorated style the spires were more enriched, with a parapet and pinnacles at the top of the tower, crochets on the angles, and enriched windows.
The spires of the perpendicular and flamboyant styles are still more enriched, with flying buttresses at the angles, etc. They are sometimes perforated, and the sides of the spire filled entirely with tracery. Such spires are common in Germany. those of Stras bourg and Frieburg on the Rhine being very fine examples. As in the later styles gen erally, the character and beauty of the spire give place to dexterity in masonry, and many examples exist of traceried spires more wonderful than beautiful. See GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.
Spires are most frequently constructed of stone, but they are also occasionally made of wood, and covered with lead, copper, slates, or shingles. These are chiefly to be found in localities where stone is scarce.