Final answer:
Salisbury Cathedral is characteristic of the Early English Gothic style, standing as a nearly singular style representation and featuring a long, low profile without predominant flying buttresses. Its west facade acts as a screen wall and towers are modest in height, in contrast to later Gothic cathedrals with tall spires.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Salisbury Cathedral's Exterior
The Salisbury Cathedral, an epitome of the Early English style, exhibits distinct characteristics that differ notably from the general evolution of English Gothic architecture. Unlike many English Gothic cathedrals, which often display a mix of styles due to extended periods of construction, Salisbury Cathedral offers a more homogenous architectural narrative. Built during the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style, the exterior features of this cathedral stand out in comparison to several others from the same era.
- It is an exception to the trend of multiple styles as it mainly showcases the Early English Gothic style throughout its edifice.
- The cathedral has a long, low, sprawling look, which is typical for this stage of Gothic architecture, emphasizing horizontal lines over vertical aspirations that later Gothic buildings would pursue.
- Although initially not included in the design, flying buttresses were later added for structural stability due to the thin walls beginning to fracture. However, they are not a dominant exterior design element as seen in later Gothic structures.
- The cathedral's west facade is treated like a screen wall, detracting from the structural expression of the buttresses and giving way to decorative façade elements.
- In terms of vertical elements, the cathedral's towers remain relatively small when compared to the lofty spires of later Gothic cathedrals.
These features together define the distinctive character of the Early English Gothic period, particularly represented by the Salisbury Cathedral's exterior.