Cotmania. Vol. III. 1928-9

The Rev. William Gunn is one of the latest innovators in architectural language. He proposes the term Romanesque to distinguish the architecture which prevailed from the age of Constantine till the revival of the Grecian orders of building in the west of Europe.
Mr Rickman in his "Attempt to discriminate the Styles of English Architecture,"1817, uses the term English to distinguish the Christian architecture; repeats several of the terms used by Warton, but introduces a new word "perpendicular," to distinguish a particular style. He subdicides the subject into four styles or periods. "The Norman Style, which prevailed to the end of the reign of Henry II. in 1189 ; distinguished by its arches being generally semicircular; though sometimes pointed with bold and rude ornaments." "The Early English style, reaching to the end of the reign of Edward I. in 1307; distinguishable by pointed arches and long narrow windows without mullions." "Decorated English, reaching to the end of the reign of Edward I. in 1307 ; distinguished by pointed arches and long narrow windows without mullions, and the tracery in flowing lines, forming circles, arches, and other figures, not running perpendicularly." "Perpendicular English," in use till 1630 or 1640. "Probably the latest whole building in this style not later than Henry VII. The name clearly designates this style, for the mullions of the windows and the ornamental panellings run in perpendicular lines."
Mr Rickman's work furnishes a description of the various parts of buildings in each of the styles which he enumerates; and also contains a catalogue of buildings illustrating the principles of English architecture.
He says. "Though many writers speak of Saxon buildings, those which they describe as such are either known to be Norman, or are so like them that there is no real distinction. But it is most likely, that in some obscure country church, some real Saxon work of a much earlier date may exist; hitherto, however, none has been ascertained to be of so great an age."
Mr Dawson Turner adopts the terms used by Mr Rickman. Speaking of the decorated style he says: "It was principally confined, in England, to a period of about seventy years, during the reigns of the Second and Third Edwards. In France it appears to have prevailed for much longer. It probably began there fill fifty years sooner than with us,a nd it continued till it was superseded by the revival of the Grecian or Italian architecture." He adds, "Nowhere have I been able to trace among our Gallic neighbours the existence of the simple perpendicular style, which is the most frequent by far in our own country, nor that more gorgeous variety denominated by our antiquaries after the family of Tudor."