Hostname: page-component-74656f9884-npj9w Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-11T02:44:21.992Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

II.—An unsolved problem in Gothic architecture: the permanent outer roof

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2011

Get access

Extract

The destruction at Rheims has called attention to a weakness which is found in almost all Gothic churches—the inflammable nature of the outer roof. The inner vault of the cathedral church is intact, but the outer roof was consumed in the great fire of 1914. It was of lead resting on a fine piece of carpentry at an unusually steep angle. The sweep of the roof from end to end was one of the great attractions of the external effect of the church. The present appearance (pl. I) is almost that of a great bath with high walls, for the distance between the two roofs was much greater than in the case of many contemporary churches. The outline of the extrados of the vault is somewhat obscured by the debris which has fallen on to it.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1917

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable