The Cotswold region is a relatively well-defined, upland district that reaches across the heartland of Britain. It has a rich and complex history and is renown for its natural beauty and its outstanding vernacular architecture. During the second half of the nineteenth century, after a long period of decline, it began to attract the interest of artists, designers and craftsmen, among them William Morris. They were followed by several prominent architects associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement, who welcomed the opportunity to work in the Cotswolds as its unspoilt character provided the perfect environment to foster their principles and beliefs. They were responsible for an impressive number of new buildings and repair and alteration works in the region. This thesis is divided into three parts. The first part provides a general background to the Arts and Crafts Movement in Britain, and to the Cotswold region itself, its history, topography and building traditions. It also describes the special appeal of the region to Arts and Crafts designers and craftsmen who established workshops in the region. Particular reference is made to the achievements of Ashbee and the Guild of Handicraft in Chipping Campden and of Ernest Gimson and the Barnsley brothers in Sapperton. The second part of the thesis examines Cotswold Arts and Crafts architecture according to type. The majority of commissions were for domestic buildings, which range from large country houses to cottages. There are also some important Arts and Crafts community projects and minor ecclesiastical works found throughout the region. A significant proportion of commissions concerned the repair and reuse of old buildings, and these include many of the most inventive and imaginative designs. In the third part of the thesis. the late flowering of Arts and Crafts architectural talent in the region is summarised. Some of the best works date from the inter-war years. Many of these were deSigned by a younger generation of architects and craftsmen, notably Norman Jewson and F.L. Griggs, who gave new direction and purpose to the Movement's architectural ideals. This remarkable group of Arts and Crafts buildings share an admirable sympathy for their surroundings, and they reveal an inventive and informed response to the dominant vernacular precedent. The high standard of design and craftsmanship that was established, together with the notable emphasis on conservation, had important implications at a local and national level. This thesis aims to reveal the significance of this group of Cotswold Arts and Crafts buildings to an evaluation of the Movement's architectural achievements in general.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:601222 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Gordon, Catherine |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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