Lancet windows and the Early English gothic style

Relatively tall, thin, pointed "lancet" windows are characteristic of the Early English style of gothic church architecture, built roughly in the 1200s. 

Here are examples from Holy Cross church in Haltwhistle, Northumberland. 

It can be seen that this earliest gothic (pointed-arch) style emphasizes height, and saves on glass; but does not allow very much light into the church. 

Then again many of the earliest churches were modelled on caves - and it was only later in the gothic era that church architects decided that light was godly, and exploited advances in building techniques and cheaper glass to make walls that were mostly window (relying upon buttresses to support the weight of the roof). 

In Northumberland, Early English is well represented; and was also often emulated by Victorian church restorers and new church/ chapel builders (sometimes with a round, instead of pointed, arches).

Although Norman-style architecture is closest to my heart (round arches, massive pillars, zig-zag decorated - Durham Cathedral is my favourite-ever building); I am very fond of the austere and simple EE style. 

I find EE induces a distinctive mood of spiritual yearning that feels somewhat "holier" than the effect of being stunned and overwhelmed by the more in-your-face and obvious charms of the later gothic styles.  

Early English was indeed that last major pre-Victorian period of church building, or at least church survival, around here. 

Because after Edward I ("Hammer of the Scots") there were frequent wars with Scotland that triggered the breakdown of large scale society, and the rise of the violent Border Reiver clans occupying a broad swathe of disputed territory. 

The ensuing poverty and disorder meant that from approximately 1300-1600 (England and Scotland were "united" under James I in 1603) few Northumbrian churches were built. 

So we have only a few examples of the later Decorated (1300s), and Perpendicular (1400s) styles of medieval church architecture.  

After the dissolution of the monasteries and Reformation (mid 1500s) there was a surplus of eccestiastical buildings, so there was relatively not much church building nationally, until after the Industrial Revolution and ensuing population growth of the 1800s. 

So around here (and with notable exceptions) "the old stuff" is Norman (mostly 1100s) and Early English - then we jump into Victorian.