[en.wikipedia.org] ------ scroll down to Traditional types of spires. I'd suggest finding a cathedral that matches what you thinking of and go to that page for further information on its construction. Possibly doing another search for it also where you might find a local link to more information.

[en.wikipedia.org] scroll down to the bottom of this one and you'll find Materials. Below that is a list of various architecture styles that could lead you to the preferred search you want.

Architecture of cathedrals and great churches ------ [en.wikipedia.org]

As for the article, we all have our demons and dark thoughts to deal with. Apparently this guy lost his struggle with his, according to the norms of society, where death was the answer for him and his wife. With that said, to him it might have been a win. For what ever reason and means that could possibly be and or accomplish for him.

Personally, I find much of our society to be quite conditioned in many aspects to a point we are driven to suppress our nature and thoughts, due to a managed perception on how humans are required to act. If I were to release the dark thoughts I have many would find it suitable to label me according to how they have been conditioned to react, even though most men contain those same dark thoughts. I struggle not to say all for that same reason And many women knowing how men are would fall between the lines somewhere within that matter. Over time we have been slowly controlled and manipulated towards a transformation against our humanity, as though we are machines which new technology can achieve better production to certain aspects. We can only be conditioned by propaganda to be found acceptable though.

From the ages to today only wealthy people can get away with being "human". Somewhere in that time it became unacceptable to do certain things in which this was pushed on the peasants within laws. While in secret the wealthy managed to carry on, those in position of power also. My god, does anyone know what type of things happened in the cellars and tunnels under DC at night between then politicians? Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein and all their followers and ilk are in utopia jealousy. It's not limited to only there either! Today common humans have been suppressed by the use of movements that have been used as tools against us. Most people don't understand this. I could go on about this for quite a while using the womans liberation movement and me too movement using my knowledge on bdsm as a comparison, but it would probably create a stir and cost us some members.

Unable to know exactly what this guy was going through from a lack of information, I would give consideration that he was a victim of that suppression. Feeling unable to fully express himself in fear of societies requirements he felt he had no outlet to discuss his thoughts. And quite possibly the fact that religion played a large roll in this it made it extremely worse. She was at a point in her life of receiving a position of power also could have been a major issue. His wife fleeing off with another man, of the cloth, was the tipping point? After he exposed a side of himself no one seems to have seen from him before. Quite frankly this has a failure of society written all over it.