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Lancet windows at Hexham Abbey, UK

A lancet window is a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch at its top.^[1] It acquired the "lancet" name from its resemblance to a lance.^[2] Instances of this architectural motif are typical of Gothic church edifices of the earliest period. Lancet windows may occur singly, or paired under a single moulding, or grouped in an odd number with the tallest window at the centre.

The architectural motif first appeared in the early French Gothic period (c. 1140–1200), and later in the English period of Gothic architecture (1200–1275). So common was the lancet window feature that this era is sometimes known as the "Lancet Period".^[3]

The term "lancet window" is properly applied to windows of austere form, without tracery. Paired windows were sometimes surmounted by a simple opening such as a quatrefoil cut in plate tracery. This form gave way to the more ornate, multi-light traceried windowed.

Examples

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  Early English lancet windows in the south transept of Beverley Minster, East Riding of Yorkshire, England
  

  
  

  
  


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  Early English lancet windows, built 1234, east end of Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire, England
  

  
  

  
  


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  Early English east window and series of nine lancet windows in the south wall of the choir, in the ruined Ardfert Cathedral, County Kerry, Ireland
  

  
  

  
  


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  Early English lancet windows in the Lady Chapel of Hereford Cathedral, Herefordshire, England
  

  
  

  
  


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  Late 13th century Y tracery in lancet windows of chancel of St Helen's church, Barnoldby le Beck, Lincolnshire, England
  

  
  

  
  


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  The triple lancet east window, c. 1300, in St Andrew's Church, Attlebridge, Norfolk, England
  

  
  

  
  


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  Left aisle with single lancet window in the medieval church of St Lucia in Galluzzo, Florence, Italy.
  

  
  

  
  


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  A double lancet window in the 14th century castle at Ivrea in the Piedmont region of Italy
  

  
  

  
  

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lancet windows.

• Catenary arch

References