Dr. Leedy's study is therefore unrivalled in
the depth with which it treats its subject. It
documents and analyses the emergence offan
vaulting and traces its origins back to certain
essential characteristics of the English
interpretation of Gothic, involving both aesthetic
and technical considerations. It identifies the
centres which were especially influential (such as
Tewkesbury and Gloucester) and relates these to
the 'families' of dependent work which they
inspired. Theory, design, symbolism and
construction of the vaults are discussed in detail.
A particularly valuable feature of this heavily
illustrated work is the thorough and
comprehensive catalogue of known fan vaults,
with chronological data, description and technical
analysis of each, including an account of how
each was constructed, giving new insights into
changing techniques.