The Seven Periods of English Architecture Defined and Illustrated by Edmund Sharpe

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The Seven Periods of English Architecture Defined and Illustrated by Edmund Sharpe

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By Evelyn Fischer Posted on Mar 18, 2026

In Category - Modern Literature

Authors: Sharpe, Edmund, 1809-1877 Published By : Sharpe, Edmund, 1809-1877

Book Language: English

Have you ever looked at an old church or castle and wondered, 'Wait, which century is this from?' I used to feel that way too, until I picked up Edmund Sharpe's book. It's not a dry history lesson—it's a detective's guide. Sharpe hands you the magnifying glass and teaches you how to spot the clues. Is that window round or pointy? Are the walls thick and simple, or covered in elaborate stone lace? He breaks down 700 years of English building into seven clear chapters, from the heavy, fortress-like Norman style to the light, fan-vaulted beauty of the Perpendicular. The magic is that after reading it, you won't just see old buildings; you'll start reading them. Your next walk through a cathedral or even past a village church will feel like solving a puzzle. It turns history from something you memorize into something you can see.

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Let's be honest: the title sounds like it could be a textbook. But Edmund Sharpe's The Seven Periods of English Architecture is something much more useful—it's a field guide. Published in the 1850s, it was written to make sense of the incredible variety of churches, cathedrals, and castles scattered across England. Sharpe, an architect himself, noticed that people were confused. They couldn't tell a Norman arch from a Decorated window. So, he did what any good teacher does: he created a clear, memorable system.

The Story

There isn't a plot with characters, but there is a clear journey. Sharpe takes you on a walk through seven distinct phases of building design, starting with the Norman period (1066-1189) and ending with the Tudor period (1485-1547). For each period, he doesn't just list dates. He shows you the signature features. He explains how to identify a Norman building by its massive, round arches and thick pillars. He points out how Early English style introduced tall, narrow, pointed 'lancet' windows. He makes you see the difference between the flowing, natural stone carvings of the Decorated period and the strict, vertical lines of the Perpendicular style that came after. The 'story' is the evolution of an art form, told through the language of stone and glass.

Why You Should Read It

This book gives you a superpower: context. Before reading Sharpe, an old building was just 'old.' Now, it has a place in a story. You understand that a thick, rounded arch isn't just a design choice; it's a technological solution from a time when builders were figuring out how to hold up heavy stone roofs. The book is filled with illustrations—Sharpe's own drawings—that act as a perfect cheat sheet. The real joy comes from applying it. On your next trip, you can look at a cathedral and piece together its history. 'Ah, this nave is Early English, but that chapel was added later in the Perpendicular style.' It makes exploration active and deeply satisfying.

Final Verdict

This is the perfect book for curious travelers, amateur historians, or anyone who has ever felt a spark of wonder looking at an ancient building. It's not for academic specialists seeking new theories—it's for the rest of us who want a reliable, clear, and genuinely helpful guide to understanding the beautiful stone history that surrounds us. Keep a copy in your car or backpack. It will change how you see your own country.