Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/198

182 ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE. Paut II. consequently be looked upon as safe indexes of the existence of Scan- dinavian influences in the eastern counties, and also as interestinof examples of the mode in which a compromise is frequently hit upon between the feelings of intrusive races and the habits of the previous inhabitants. It can scarcely be doubted that round-naved and round-towered churches existed in the eastern counties anterior to the Norman Conquest ; but if any still remain, they have not been described. .The earliest that are known were erected during the Norman period, and extend certainly down to the end of the Edwardian period. Some of the towers have perpendicular details, but these seem inser- tions, and consequently do not indicate the date of the essential parts of the structure. 612. Spire of Great Leiglis Church, Essex. 613. Tower of Little Saxham Church, Suffolk. As a rule, the English parish church is never vaulted, that sjiecies of magnificence being reserved, after the Norman times at least, for cathedrals and collegiate churches ; but, on the other hand, their wooden roofs are always appropriate, and frequently of great beauty. So essential does the vault appear to have been to Gothic architecture, both abroad and in this country, that it is at first sight difiicult to admit that any other form of covering can be as beautiful. But some of the roofs in English churches go far to refute the idea. Even,