Britannica AI Icon

English Decorated style

architecture
Also known as: Decorated Gothic style

Quick Summary

The English Decorated style, a phase of late Gothic architecture, flourished in England from approximately 1300 to 1375. This style is characterized by rich visual effects achieved through elaborate decoration. Key features include a strong emphasis on vertical lines within stone window tracery, significantly enlarged windows, and the creation of unified vertical interior spaces. A distinctive element is the use of fan vaults, which spring from slender columns or pendants.1

This style evolved from the earlier English Gothic period and was later succeeded by the Perpendicular style. Notable examples of the Decorated style include sections of the cloister at Westminster Abbey, the Angel Choir at Lincoln Cathedral, and the nave and west front of York Minster.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.