BELGIAN AND DUTCH GOTHIC. " The darkened roof rose high aloof, On pillars lofty and light and small ; The keystone that locked each ribbed aisle Was a fleur-de-lis or a quatre-feuille ; The corbels were carved, grotesque and grim, And the pillars with clustered shafts so trim, With base and with capital flourished around Seemed bundles of lances which garlands had bound." — ScOTT. I. INFLUENCES. 1. Geographical. — The country of the Netherlands lies wedged in, as it were, between the Germanic and Romanic races of the European peoples, thus accounting for the dual influences found in its architectural development, Belgium being under French, and Holland under German influence. ii. Geological. — The district abounds with clay suitable for the making of bricks, and the consequent effect upon the archi- tecture was considerable, being specially noticeable in domestic work, as in the small house facades in the towns. Stone was used in Brussels Cathedral and other examples, and granite was also available, the cathedral at Tournai being whoUy of that material. iii. Climate. — This is similar to that of England, but has greater extremes of heat and cold. iv. Religion. — This was greatly influenced by the religions of France, Germany, and Spain, under whose dominion the Netherlands were at different times. V. Social and Political. — The mediaeval architecture of these countries developed with the social progress of the people, the towns with independent municipalities rivalling each other in the arts of war and peace. Many buildings, notably Guildhalls and Town Halls, large in conception and rich in detail, were erected, reflecting the wealth and prosperity of the merchants and weavers of Antwerp, Louvain, Ghent, and other cities. vi. Historical. — Flanders, as a fief of France, became united to Burgundy by the marriage of the first Duke of Valois to Margaret, the heiress of Flanders. The whole of the Netherlands F.A. c c
