gothic essay Flashcards
(19 cards)
Peterborough Cathedral - Historical Context & Significance
- origins and timeline? (4)
- summarised analysis?
- before the cathedral the site contained a monastery, built in 655 AD however this was destroyed by Viking raids in 870 AD.
In the 10th century a Benedictine monastery was then founded on the site.
The current building’s construction commenced in 1118 led by Abbot (head monk) John de Sais, following the Norman conquest. The structure was mostly completed by 1238
In 1541 the building became a cathedral subsequent to the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII.
- therefore, the timeline of Peterborough spans across the transition from the popularity of Norman Romanesque style to the early English Gothic. Consequently, the cathedral is one of the best architectural monuments of this transition.
Peterborough Cathedral - romanesque, structure, style
- norman authority in stone?
- typical features of Romanesque architecture can be seen in several ways such as The use of very large stonework, thick piers, round arches, and barrel/groin vaults.
The sense of rhythm of the interior, achieved through alternating cylindrical and compound piers, lead to a feeling of solemnity as well as order, which is representative of the structure of religion.
Peterborough Cathedral - romanesque, structure, style
- artistic features?
- technological achievements?
- Some of the cathedral’s artistic features include lavishly decorated blind arcading, layered rhythm in the nave, and geometric carvings.
The wooden nave ceiling which was constructed in the early 13th century displayed traditional Romanesque visuals, completed with painted panels of symbolic imagery.
- The cathedral pushed the limits of Norman engineering with:
Long nave spans
High stone walls
Early experimentation with ceiling treatments (though not yet rib vaulting)
While not as ambitious structurally as Durham, Peterborough achieved grand scale and impressive uniformity.
Peterborough Cathedral - Gothic Period: Innovation, Expression, and Elevation
- The Iconic West Front (c. 1230s)
- The West Front of Peterborough Cathedral is known for its recognisable Early English Gothic architecture, made up of three large arches and an asymmetrical appearance
The three massive pointed arches, are framed by slim Gothic style towers.
The inclusion of these towers brought in a vertical emphasis, and spatial contrast/drama not seen in the Romanesque parts of the building.
The scale and boldness make it unique in Gothic England
Peterborough Cathedral - Gothic Period: Innovation, Expression, and Elevation
- Shift in Spiritual Aesthetic?
- one feature of gothic architecture is that it aimed to connect the earth with the heavens through light, height and ornamentation.
The Gothic additions lead the viewer’s eye upward (towards heaven) and emphasize the divine
Later Gothic elements (e.g., Perpendicular Gothic vaulting in the retrochoir and Lady Chapel) add elegance and lightness.
Peterborough Cathedral - Gothic Period: Innovation, Expression, and Elevation
- technological and structural evolution?
- use of pointed arches improved structural efficiency and allowed taller, more open façades
Gothic windows, with tracery and stained glass, utilised light as a symbol of holiness — though much of the glass at Peterborough has now been lost or replaced.
Peterborough Cathedral - cultural and national significance
- cultural and national significance?
- Peterborough is One of few cathedrals containing Romanesque alongside distinct Gothic features.
Contains the tomb of Katherine of Aragon, highlighting its role in Tudor religious politics.
York minster - historical context
- historical context?
- One of the most iconic cathedrals in England. Historically, the site has functioned as a place of Christian worship, dating back to the 7th century. However, the current, predominantly Gothic structure, was built between 1220 and 1472. Showcasing an evolution of styles and construction methods across the High to Late Gothic periods.
When the Minster was constructed religion played a centre role in citizens daily lives, with cathedrals typically functioning as both religious and community hubs.
At the time of construction there was political and religious tension, especially between England and Rome, and later within the Church of England itself (as can be seen during the Reformation).
There was also economic growth in medieval York - which allowed such an ambitious project
York minster - Gothic Architectural Features & Innovations
- Verticality and Light?
- technological innovations?
- Verticality through Vaulted ceilings, tall spires, and slender piers, creates sense vertical transcendence.
considerable use of stained glass fills the building with coloured light, particularly through the Great East Window, which remains the largest area of medieval stained glass in the world.
- Ribbed vaults allows taller, more stable structures to be created, whilst also redistributing weight.
Flying buttresses — though less visually prominent than in French Gothic — were used to support high walls and large windows
significant use of tracery, especially in its windows, in both the Decorated and Perpendicular styles.
York minster - Gothic Architectural Features & Innovations
- Sculpture and Iconography
- The Chapter House features a lavishly carved interior with plant life, animals, and human faces — highlighting a shift from previously only featuring religious iconography to more naturalistic and humanised forms.
The Great West Front houses Gothic statues, part of the cathedral’s intention of a reflecting a “Bible in stone.”
York minster - artistic and cultural significance
- artistic and cultural significance?
- The Great East Window, by John Thornton, is one of the most important examples of medieval stained glass artistry, showing the beginning and end of the world in a Christian context.
The Minster’s art, architecture, and acoustics were all designed to create drama within the church, making worship a deeply immersive and sensory experience.
York minster - legacy and impact
- legacy and impact?
- played a vital role in engineering York’s identity, to that of a spiritual and political centre
represents medieval craftsmanship, requiring generations of stonemasons, glassmakers, and engineers.
Even after the Gothic period, it continued to be a cultural centre — surviving the Reformation, Civil War, and even a 1984 fire.
west minster abbey - historical context
- historical context?
- Location: London, England
Founded: Originally a Benedictine monastery in the 960s, but the current Gothic church was begun by King Henry III in 1245.
was rebuilt in the French Gothic style, aiming to rival cathedrals of other European countries and to reflect the religious and political power of England.
since been the location of every English coronation since 1066 and is home to tombs of royals, poets, scientists, and statesmen, making it one of the most symbolically significant religious buildings in the UK.
westminster abbey - gothic features
- Key Gothic Architectural Features?
- Pointed arches: Found throughout the nave, choir, and windows, typical of Gothic design
Ribbed vaulting: Used in the ceilings to create verticality and distribute weight
Flying buttresses: External supports allowing higher walls and larger windows
Vertical emphasis: Tall columns and spires draw the eye upward,
Stained glass windows: creates coloured light in the interior, illustrating biblical scenes
Tracery: Delicate stonework in windows and walls — a key feature of English Gothic artistry
westminster abbey Artistic and Symbolic Achievements
- Artistic and Symbolic Achievements?
- The Cosmati Pavement (1268), was A extraordinary mosaic located in front of the High Altar. It was constructed by Italian craftsmen and serves as a rare example of medieval geometric design in England.
the tomb of Edward the Confessor was A highly adorned shrine as well as a significant site of medieval pilgrimage.
Sculpture was widely utilised with royal tombs and statues, combining realism and symbolism
westminster abbey - technological innovations
- technological innovations?
- Advanced vaulting techniques: Allowed for greater height and thinner walls.
Use of flying buttresses enabled the placement of very large stained-glass windows, which was rarely found in earlier styles.
A combination of local English Gothic and Continental French Gothic emphasises the blend of European influences.
The abbey has been frequently modified and expanded since its construction, showcasing evolving building techniques into the Late Gothic and even Renaissance periods
westminster abbey - signficance in the gothic period
- significance in gothic period?
- summarised analysis whole building?
- One of the first major buildings in England built in the true Gothic style, particularly French gothic
influenced later English Gothic, especially the Perpendicular Gothic style that followed.
a symbol of Gothic architecture’s
ability to combine religion, national pride, and royal influences all in one structure.
- Westminster Abbey is widely considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. It demonstrates the significant bounds in architectural technology of the Gothic period (e.g. vaulting, flying buttresses), and its artistic finesse reflects the religious, royal, and cultural power of medieval England
GENERAL GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
- romanesque?
- gothic?
- gothic religion?
- Romanesque Architecture (around 10th–12th centuries). Romanesque architecture was first seen in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire and during the early Middle Ages.
- Gothic Architecture ( 12th–16th centuries)
Gothic architecture began to emerge in the 12th century AD, most notably in France, and significantly gained dominance in the 13th century. It came during a time of growth in both culture and religion, and alongside the rise of universities and a more urbanized society. - The Church continued to invest in the arts, with the construction of grand cathedrals and abbeys being key to the Gothic movement.
An increasing desire for monumental structures led to the construction of vast cathedrals, abbeys, and churches that again emphasise the era’s connection to religion.
GENERAL GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE
- gothic artistic and technological features?
- overall summary?
- Pointed arches, flying buttresses, ribbed vaulting, and large stained-glass windows created light-filled, spaces. The emphasis on verticality and decorative ornamentation also signified this period.
- The Romanesque, Gothic, and Late Medieval periods represent a large stride in architecture, and further connected religion, society and the built environment.
The advancements in technology laid the groundwork for later architectural styles and continue to influence architecture today.
