directly against the face of the wall (Fig. 109.)[1] just as they sometimes are in England, as in the Presbytery of Lincoln. The framework of Burgos is thus incomplete by the omission of one of the most important members, and the clerestory wall is therefore necessary to the stability of the structure. The clerestory of the inner apsidal aisle of Toledo is walled in even more completely, its openings being mere small circles, one in each bay.[2]
In the nave of this building, however, the clerestory is perfectly Gothic, since the opening fills the whole space beneath the vault. At Leon, also, according to Mr. Street, it did so originally, though it was subsequently found necessary to partially wall-up the opening, in order to strengthen the piers, which had begun to show signs of weakness.
It is true, as Mr. Street remarks,[3] that in a climate like that of Spain the large openings that are peculiar to Gothic would be unsuitable; but this is equivalent to saying that Gothic architecture is unsuitable in such a climate. And hence, as well as for other reasons, the pointed architecture of Spain is not Gothic with absolute strictness. Nevertheless, it must not only be admitted that such buildings as Burgos, Toledo, and Leon, though not of Spanish origin, are Gothic in the main, their vaults having the Gothic concentration upon the piers, the internal vaulting systems being completely developed, and their vault thrusts being met by systems of flying buttresses; but it may, I suppose, be said also that they are among the grandest edifices of the world.
A more detailed consideration of the forms of vaults, the composition of piers, the adjustment of flying buttresses, and the modes of enclosure, is unnecessary, as the Gothic of Spain in the thirteenth century follows more closely than the pointed architecture of any other country the
- ↑ This figure is copied from Street's Gothic Architecture in Spain.
- ↑ It is true, indeed, as we have seen in the second chapter, that walls remain, to some extent, in the clerestories of early Gothic buildings in France; but in these cases they are but survivals in a growing style which soon entirely frees itself from them. Moreover, though portions of wall still remain for a while, the pier is, at the same time, completely and independently developed, so that the wall might be removed without danger to the building. But when these Spanish churches were erected the perfect example of Gothic construction had been furnished in the French buildings, and the walls which they retain are inconsistent with developed Gothic principles.
- ↑ Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain, p. 112.
