Chapter II.

Period of 1000 years from Fall of Rome, A.D. 476, to Capture of Constantinople, 1453--The Crusades--Influence of Christianity--Chairs of St. Peter and Maximian at Rome, Ravenna and Venice--Edict of Leo III. prohibiting Image worship--The Rise of Venice--Charlemagne and his successors--The Chair of Dagobert--Byzantine character of Furniture--Norwegian carving--Russian and Scandinavian--The Anglo-Saxons--Sir Walter Scott quoted--Descriptions of Anglo-Saxon Houses and Customs--Art in Flemish Cities--Gothic Architecture--The Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey--Penshurst--French Furniture in the 14th Century--Description of rooms--The South Kensington Museum--Transition from Gothic to Renaissance--German carved work: the Credence, the Buffet, and Dressoir.