Arches and Lancets and Spires, Oh My!

     This is a lesson on Victorian architecture, specifically the Gothic Revival style (not to be confused with the goth style of today). Queen Victoria, whose birthday we celebrate every May in Canada with a statutory holiday, reigned in Great Britain from 1837 to 1901. During that time several architectural styles gained and waned in popularity - Italianate, Colonial Revival, Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic Revival, Classical Revival, Second Empire, Beaux Arts, Arts and Crafts or Craftsman and Queen Anne Revivals.  You can google any of these to see a picture of each style. I recommend www.OntarioArchitecture.com for pictures and information on residential Victorian properties still in existence in Ontario today.
    Pretty much all these styles were big on architectural details.  Some might say showy but I call it elegant and stately. Two wonderful examples are in nearby Picton and Madoc. Thanks to Shannon Kyles, author of the site OntarioArchitecture, for permission to use her photos.

 Gothic Revival was in reaction to the Renaissance and its perceived move away from Christianity. A revival of the Christian faith took place in 1841 to 1880 in the U.K. and North America  So this style had a lot of the details found in Gothic (Medieval Christianity) architecture - things like arches and lancets and spires, brick work and stone.  (Have I lost you yet?)  There was spiritual symbolism in these particular features.  The sharp peak points to heaven. Lancet windows (called this because they looked like the point of the medieval lance use during the crusades), stained glass and arches all echo details found in Medieval cathedrals.
     The Victorian interpretation of  the Gothic style also included detailed vergeboard (gingerbread trim) and an asymmetrical design  as seen  in the front view of the two houses above and in our wonderful example - on the left is a bay window and on the right a box window. The centre, second storey window is a lancet while the left, first floor, front  and centre door have arched windows. The window on the right has a brick arch over it and may have been arched at an earlier date.

Considering our faith, I find the fact that this house with its Gothic Revival design should fall into our hands more than coincidence.