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Norman architecture is most easily recognised by its use of beamed ceilings and semi-circular arches mounted on pillars topped with either plain or finely sculptured capitals. The style was developed from earlier Roman architectural techniques and so is often referred to as "Romanesque".

The style came to Britain with the Normans in 1066, lasting only till about 1170 when the style now known as Early English or "Gothic" rapidly developed, in which the rounded arches on pillars with capitals were succeeded by pointed arches and pillars, with their elaborately-carved and ornamented multiple flutes continuing their lines right up into equally elaborately-carved and ornamented vaulted ceilings.