Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/208

192 ENGLISH ARCHITECTURE. Tart IL bury; but this became one of great beauty when applied, as in Westminster Abbey, to the tomb of Edward III. (Woodcut No. 626), where its appropriateness and beauty of detail distinguish it from many more ambitious shrines in stone. In general design these two monu- ments are similar to one another, and must have been erected very nearly at the same time — the difference being in the superior richness and elabora- tion of the regal as compared with the princely tomb. Although this form of wooden tester was the most usual in monu- ments of the age, stone canopies were also frequently employed, as in the well-known monument of Aymer de Valence (died 1324) in Westminster Abbey. But all previous examples were excelled by the beautiful shrine Avhich the monks of Gloucester erected, at a considerably later period, over the burying-place of the unfortunate Edward II. (Woodcut No. 627). In its class there is nothing in English architecture more beautiful than this. It belongs to the very best age of the style, and is carried out with a de- gree of propriety and elegance which has not been surpassed by any ex- ample now remaining. If the statues with which it was once adorned could now be replaced, it would convey a more correct idea of the style of the Edwardian period than can be obtained from larger examples. It seems to have been as much admired then as now ; for we find its form repeated, with more or less correctness of outline and detail, at Winchester, at Tewkesbury, and St. Alban's, as well as elsewhere, the whole forming a series of architectural illustrations unmatched in their class by anything on the continent of Euro]ie. As a fine sjiecimen of the form taken by a multitude of these tombs during the last period of Gothic art we may select that of Bishop Redman at Ely (1501-1506). Though so late in date, there is nothing offensive either in its form or detail. On the contrary, it is well pro- portioned and appropriate ; and though there is a little display of 625. Tomb of the B'.aok Punce, Canier bury Cathedral. (Cath. Hb.)