St Stephen's Chapel

This 1955 book examines the beginnings of 'Perpendicular'. A reconsideration of the structures themselves and of their documentary background drastically corrected previous ideas, and all this knowledge is made use of and extended by the author. Dr Hastings sets forth the whole theory of the incidence and discrimination of principles and practice of the Court School of masons and decorators, taking as his focal point the building of St Stephen's Chapel, Westminster (1292–1347). Dr Hastings introduces his main subject by an examination of the 'New Work' of St Paul's Cathedral, by a survey of masons employed on royal buildings, and by a study of the surviving evidence relating to the Eleanor Crosses. He concludes with an essay on the tomb design of England and France within his period, by an examination of the contemporary works at Windsor, Ely, Gloucester, and by a final chapter summing up his conclusions. The book is richly illustrated by reproductions of old plans and drawings, and by photographs.