[Illustration: PLATE XCVI LINCOLN CATHEDRAL FROM SOUTHWEST]
Salisbury Cathedral is a splendid example of pure Early English, having had the rare advantage of having been begun and finished within a period of forty years, 1220-1260, and is remarkable for the uniformity and harmony of its construction. Mr. Ferguson has pointed out that there is scarcely a trace of foreign influence in the building, the square east end taking the place of the apse of the Norman churches, and fixing the future character of English choirs; and he adds that it is "one of the best proportioned and at the same time most poetic designs of the middle ages." The various parts of the building all unite to lead the eye to the central point,--the richly adorned spire built in 1250, which is the loftiest in England. The sculptures on the beautiful west front were nearly all destroyed by the Puritans, but have recently been replaced.
[Illustration: WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL WEST FRONT]
Worcester Cathedral is in plan a double cross with very short transepts, and with a chapter-house and spacious cloisters on the south side. In general characteristics it is Early English, but includes specimens of all styles from the Norman down to the latest Perpendicular. The oldest parts of the present church are the choir and Lady-Chapel, which date from the first quarter of the thirteenth century. The north side of the nave belongs to the Decorated and the south side to the early Perpendicular period; but they are very similar in general appearance. The central tower shows traces of the transition from Decorated to Perpendicular. In the interior, the choir dates from the purest Early English period, and impresses by its richness and uniformity; and the magnificent groined roof, extending in an unbroken line for 420 feet, is a feature that perhaps no other cathedral can match.
[Illustration: PLATE XCVII ELY CATHEDRAL: WEST FRONT]
Lincoln Cathedral, splendidly crowning the hill on which the city is built, may perhaps claim to be the finest church in Great Britain. Other cathedrals equal or surpass it in certain points; but in the combination of size, delicacy of detail, effectiveness of both interior and exterior, good preservation and grandeur of position, it has probably no rival. Of the original cathedral, built at the end of the eleventh century, the tower, a portion of the west front, and part of first bay of the nave remain. The Norman cathedral was injured by an earthquake in 1185, and its restoration was at once undertaken by Bishop Hugh, called "St. Hugh of Lincoln" (1186-1200), who finished the choir and east transepts--the earliest piece of Early English work of known date. The west transepts and chapter-house were completed soon after, and the nave, including the west front, by about 1250. The upper story of the central tower, which dates from about 1240-50, was added between 1300 and 1320. The upper parts of the west towers are late Decorated, dating from about 1380. Among the more noteworthy external features are the fine central and west towers, and the west façade, in spite of its mixture of styles and the fact that it is in some degree merely a screen. The choir of the interior is the oldest known example of the Early English style, and is separated from the nave by a decorated screen (1320) surmounted by the organ. Though the vaulting is too low the entire interior is harmonious and imposing.