Second Pointed

Second Pointed. Style of Gothic architecture that emerged in the late C13, known in England as the Decorated style, and developed in C14, during which enrichment became more elaborate, with diaper-work covering surfaces, and widespread use of the ogee form. At the end of C13 First Pointed period plate-tracery had evolved, then bar-tracery arranged in Middle Pointed Geometrical patterns. Nail-head and dog-tooth ornaments were superseded by fleuron and ball-flower enrichment, while crockets on pinnacles and canopies became profuse. Floral and foliate ornament were given naturalistic treatment, nowhere more so than in the enchanting leaves of the Chapter House of Southwell Minster, Notts. (c.1290—damaged in the late C20). The later phase of Second Pointed saw the development of Curvilinear or Flowing tracery, the almost universal adoption of ogee or S-shaped curves, the appearance of mouchette or dagger-forms in tracery, and the invention of Reticulated or net-like tracery patterns formed by ogees. Windows became very large, and the flame-like forms of the lights in the upper parts of traceried windows gave the name Flamboyant to late (C15) elaborate (especially Continental) Gothic (which continued until the early C16). Vaults acquired intermediate or lierne ribs, enabling very complex patterns (some star-shaped) to be created. Celebrated examples of Second Pointed work include the octagon and Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral (first half of C14) and the Percy tomb at Beverley, Yorks. (with its elaborate canopy). Roofs remained steeply pitched.

Bibliography

Bony (1979);
Coldstream (1994);
J. Parker (1850);
Rickman (1848)