SAXON ARCHITECTURE. Until recently, all those old English churches of which the doors and windows had semicircular arches,Wero usually termed Saxon. More careful study of our architecturalfanti quities showed that these were for the most part of Norman date; and it was then by many somewhat hastily assumed to be at least doubtful whether there were any buildings remaining of Saxon construction, That there are churches which were in part erected prior to Norman Conquest there is now, however, no longer any dispute. Their; number is indeed small, as might be expeCted ; for the condition, ot the people, the disturbed state of the country, and the ravages. et foreign invaders, would either prevent many churches, except of a comparatively rude character, being erected, or account for their destruction ; and it will be readily perceived how churches which remained at the Conquest, would, one after another, with the progress of refinement be removed to make way for others of a costlier character, or more fashionable style of architecture ; and that consequently, after the lapse of SOO years, but few fragments of such buildings should be extant.
Yet some vestiges, as we said, are left. Mr. Bloxam, who has paid particular attention to the subject, gives in the last edition of his ' Gothic Architecture' (1859, p. 90) a list of more than 90 (46 of which ho has himself examined), which contain portions of presumed Saxon architecture. Mr. Rickman believed ho had verified the existence of such remains in 120 churches.
Saxon architecture would be best described as the earliest form of Anglo-Romanesque. [ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE.] The:earliest Anglo-Saxon architects made use of the materials of the Roman build ings, wherever they could obtain them, and imitated the workmanship. In the brick walls and semicircular arches of the oldest Anglo-Saxon buildings, there are evident attempts to copy what is called the herring-bone work of the debased Roman architecture which prevailed in England. But the buildings were constructed by, or under the direction of, ecclesiastics who had acquired on the continent the current taste in ecclesiastical architecture ; and who carried out their views as well as the skill of the workmen and the materials at their command permitted. For the more important buildings--and there
are accounts in the chronicles of the erection of cathedrals and monastic edifices of considerable importance—foreign workmen were brought over. Accordingly, we find throughout the period a reference more or less direct to continental models, and, as might be expected from the connection of the court and the clergy, towards the latter part, a growing approximation to the Norman taste.
The style extends over a period of nearly four hundred years—froin the latter part of the 7th to the middle of the 11th century. It is morally divides1 Into two period'', the first extending to nearly the end of the lothcentury, the second to the ConqueeL But the rieeond period is that Whet) the Norman influence prevailed, and when the style ditrered In little from the Norman but in its being less refined and sitistle. [NORMAN ARCIIITITIMIK.1 Here, therefore, it will be enough to Indicate a few of the dietinetive eharacteriaties of the older variety.
No complete Anglo-Saxon church remaina; but from those which are most perfect, as Brixworth in Northamptonshire, and from the reference+ in Saxon record,' and the drawings in manuscripts, we see that the churches were nude, plain, and massive In appearance, and that whether cruciform, or with nave, side-aisles, and a tower at the west end, the chimed was usually riptide!. [Arius.] Crypts appear to have been not uncommon in the larger churches, and a tolerably per fect one is still extant beneath the chancel of Itepton church, Derby shire. Towers were commonly very massive, divided into two or three stories by the rib-work described below ; the surface being also divided by strips of similar rib-work, and having at the angles quoins of long and-short work. The walls, where surmounted with a spire, or rather spire-roof, seem to have mostly had a gable-like termination ; of this gable termination a good example remains in the tower of Sompting church, Suers:, though the roof-spire has been lowered. Of a more elaborate tower, Earl's Barton, Northamptonshire, is one of the most perfect existing examples. From their solidity of construction, the towers have proved the most lasting parts of Saxon churches.