Gothic architecture includes styles of cathedrals which consist of large churches with prominent towers, I have found that a main feature within gothic architecture is verticality. These towers were meaningful of God, people would look up to admire the sky scrapping tower reminding them of the power of God. Gothic buildings usually had three main characteristics verticality/vertical linings, flying buttresses and a sense of height where the towers are emphasised. Large stained glass windows were also another important element within the Gothic style.
The architecture of York Minster
English cathedrals which are in the Gothic style are divided into three categories, cathedrals of the old foundation, cathedrals of the monastic foundation and cathedrals of the new foundation. These classes were all dependent of historical events and timings. Cathedrals of the old foundation are the cathedrals which were not influenced by Henry VIII, this includes; York Cathedral, Lincoln Saint Pauls and many more. (Bannister,1905)
York cathedral is one of the largest Gothic style cathedrals in the whole of northern Europe. York cathedral has a title of ‘Minster’ this is because the church was acknowledged in the period of Anglo-Saxon times. The Minster itself has a bold Chapter house, an enriched Gothic nave along with a Gothic style quire and transepts on the north east and south. The Chapter house was constructed between 1260-1280, the heavily engineered arched roof is strengthened by timber built into the ceiling. This was instead of a foundation column, a revolution in the style of Gothic architecture and an important motif in architecture for the future. The octagonal Chapter house was used for the parliament of Edward I and is currently still used as a spot for college canons. (York Minster, 2017)
Over half of England’s medieval stained glass is within York Minsters 128 windows, this makes York Minster an irreplaceable piece of art and a true element of the Gothic style. York Minster contains a spectacular window on the west side which was glazed between 1338 and 1339, having a total cost of £67. It is known that the window is named as ‘The Heart of Yorkshire’. This is because of the stonework sourced from Yorkshire in the upper section of the window, it was entirely restored due to erosion in 1989-1990. The West window has smaller stained glass windows incorporated into the extremely large window. The stained-glass window displays the motive of the church, the Great West window also illustrate a hierarchy from the bottom to the top of the window. This follows a trait of the eight archbishops of York above the base layer are the Apostles and finally a series of panels which portray the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary which showed annunciation, nativity resurrection and lastly ascension. The very top panels of stained glass tell a story of the Virgin Mary being crowned as a queen next to Christ in heaven. (York Minster, 2017)
The Great East window is the largest medieval stained glass window in the country it is also the earliest piece of English art produced by a named artist (The History of York, N.D). John Thornton glazed the stained-glass window between 1405-1408. It was said that the window illustrates scenes of the end of all things which is explained in the book of Genesis which describes the events which foreshadow the end of the world and an apocalypse which was believed in the period of the middle ages. Currently the East window is part of a restoration and conservation project with in Europe, 311 panels from the window are being restored which will take three years to complete and started in 2008 by the York Glaziers Trust. (York Minster, 2017) The famous stained glass window had all its glass withdrawn before the first and second world war it was then put back together shortly after the wars had ended.
In the early English Gothic style of architecture, in the north of York Minster stands the north transept, displayed there is the Five Sisters window. The window itself is a memorial of women who lost their lives during the first world war. Within the window is Grisaille glass which in the French language means greyness; this type of glass was carefully pieced together forming geometric designs individually in which followed into a pattern. The colours incorporated into the window in the Grisaille manner were greys and greens which was supported by external pillars showing the early Gothic engineering theory to reinforce the exceptional memorial. (York Minster, 2017)
A panoramic view of the City of York is accomplished from the top of the central tower inside York Minster; the highest point of York itself. The 15th century central tower is 200m high and built in the perpendicular style portraying the Gothic element of verticality this was known as a technological achievement during this period. (Crossing and central Tower of York Minster, N.D.) The grand central tower has collapsed twice in its time, reinforcing the towers foundations was important as the soils underneath were causing these reoccurring issues. (York Minster, 2017) Culture changed the way that York Minster has been constructed, the Minster went through a development of Gothic stages. York’s cathedral was first a wooden chapel then followed to become a stone church around the time of 627, this was made a ruin due to the invasion of William the Conquer; York Minster was then rebuilt with a Norman approach. Originating from France, the Gothic characteristics are influenced within the style of the Minster assembled with white magnesium limestone and finished in 1472. (York: PM, 2015)
The architecture of Notre Dame
The world famous Gothic cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral which lays within the City of Paris was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals, it is also known as ‘Our Lady of Paris’ in the French language. Construction of the dominant landmark began back in the 12th century; 300 years later the cathedral was complete. Notre Dame is built in the style of French Gothic however, also have components of the Naturalism and Renaissance periods. (Notre Dame Cathedral- Paris, 2009)
The cruciform plan of Notre Dame was due to the religious beliefs and the cultural values of Paris when Notre Dame was established which therefore, had a huge impact on elements of the cathedral. Another exceptional feature is the raised nave, the nave with double aisles was built from the beginning. Unlike the flying buttresses, which were added into the building when fractures appeared to gain extra support this was due to the nave vault being too heavy. The engineers of the time had used stone supports and buttresses therefore, the wall is non-structural equalling more space for stained glass windows and over lighting features, this was to express and highlight the interior of the cathedral. The pointed arched exterior is an important part of the Gothic structure as the nave, transept and tower were inspired by the Romanesque era. (Visual arts cork, N.D.)
An element of the Gothic is statues, Norte Dame is largely famous for the number of gargoyles and the statues that surround the exterior perimeter of the building, these structures were originally for extra support and engineered to be drainage systems. The culture of the 12th century to the 15th thought gargoyles were important for drainage method but also as a defender this was a form of symbolism indicating a sense of evilness (Visual arts cork, (N.D.). Some of the gargoyles within Notre Dame spit, eat their prey or indicate signs of boredom, the ornaments are a great characteristic of the cathedral and are a proud quality of the Paris region. Gothic carvings are also incorporated into the detailing of Notre Dame some of these carvings are illustrations of the Old Testament Kings. (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, 2012)
Just like York Minster, Notre Dame has its own stained glass windows these were changed throughout the centuries and restored when needed. The rose window is a prominent feature which displays only the most Gothic concepts of art within the window itself. The rose window in these Gothic buildings are focused on the façade of the structure and are made up of thousands of stained glass window segments. The symbolism behind the Notre Dame rose window is the Virgin Mary and Christ, in the outer fragments are stained glass with illustrations of Saints and Prophets, this was an important feature in the cathedral due to religious beliefs in France at the time of the 12th-15th century.
“Gothic architecture had a magnificent opportunity of development in the construction of the great cathedrals, which, in France, were all built at the end of the twelfth and beginning of the thirteenth centuries. The cathedrals were the great meeting-places of the city, used for secular purposes, such as the administration of justice, and even for histrionic performances (which, again, were religious in character), as well as for mass.” – John J. Stevenson – Gothic Architecture; Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, 1876. (Elore, 1995)
The technological achievements of Notre Dame are that it has a high standing spire of 90 metres which was larger than most buildings in Europe in the 12th century. The 10 bells of Notre Dame are also a triumph of the period as they have followed through the centuries and are still used in cathedrals and churches today. Notre Dame is a success in the fact it began a revolution of architectural elements which are still used in society today; arches stained glass windows and flying buttresses are only a few examples. Gothic architecture has progressed through time with Norte Dame being a ruling influence.
The architecture of Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey of London was reconstructed from St Edward the Confessor’s church in 1245 after it was destroyed by Henry III however, he left the nave still standing. The new structure was built in the Gothic style. The cruciform plan is symbolic of Christ and the design of the Cathedral was impacted by the contemporary French architecture, cruciform plans were important to the culture of the period as religion impacted the way the people lived.
Although features of the Norman and Romanesque styles were still relevant in the Abbey, the engineers and designers strived for a more English Gothic approach. Some of the Gothic qualities include spires, vaulted ceilings and pointed arches. These pointed arches meant that the weight of the building could be shared out equally enabling the windows of the Abbey to be larger, this made the Abbey seem more elegant and open. Pointed arches were a huge technological advance during the period as architects and engineers gained knowledge in how to support stonework in different ways. The nave of Westminster Abbey is completely made of stone and is famous for its Gothic vaulted roof, the aisles of the nave are narrow therefore making the ceiling seem higher than it is although the ceiling only stands at 102 feet. This was another theory for the architects and engineers as a success because it improved the exterior and interior of the building and overall was a new approach to Gothic architecture, the skill is still used today. The pointed arches were also a symbol of them pointing to heaven and that’s the reason for them being not curved. Vertical and perpendicular styles are related to the Gothic genre hence designers incorporating many vertical linings throughout all cathedrals. (Architecture, 2017)
Flying buttresses are amongst the Gothic features of the Abbey and these are used to distribute weight from the walls of the Abbey to the ground; They are also used as a form of decoration not only as a structure. These decorative features are part of most Gothic Cathedrals including York Minster and Notre Dame. The Chapter house of Westminster Abbey was used by Benedictine Monks, they used the building for meetings; it is still used by the parliament today. Like York Minster the Chapter house is an octagonal shaped building which involves a vaulted ceiling and a central volume following the perpendicular themes. Surrounding the Chapter house are medieval sculptures and art (English Heritage, N.D.). The Chapter house is enclosed by Traceried windows influenced by the Rayonnant type which is also part of the side chapels which were added to the nave of Notre Dame. (Watkin, 2015). Westminster Abbeys vault demonstrates that the nave was not built earlier than 13th century this is because it’s a later style of Gothic architecture. The vaults themselves have ribs which were not needed however, the Abbey was a place of worship and a dominant building therefore the architects wanted the structure to be outstanding equally unnecessary details. (Quartr, 2017)
A dominant quality of Westminster Abbey is its glass work. The Abbey had large Gothic stained glass windows these would bring light and colour into the nave and other areas of the cathedral. The stained glass would be pictures with very few words as people could not read well during this time in history. Westminster Abbey has a heavenly and delicate atmosphere and was designed to be symbolic of heaven and a place to connect with God. Although the reasoning of the Abbey was a place of worship to God it was also used as a focal point and a place to perform and entertain as it had spectacular musical resources. Areas of the Abbey are also used as a burial position for royals, scientists’, musicians and more. Therefore, Westminster Abbey was a significant construction for the people and culture as a form of memorial and worship. The monument displays an English Gothic Rose window on the west façade. Incorporated within the window is arts of Christ whom is enclosed by angles and virtues. (Abbey History, 2017)
Conclusion and analysis sketches
In conclusion, Gothic architecture has advanced through time and followed through the centuries and still inspires cathedrals and modern architecture today. For example, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is influenced by the Gothic by its central tower. Culture has impacted the way that Gothic architecture is constructed and how it is used, religion and leisure have also been two main impacts on cathedrals. Future architecture can be inspired by the Gothic style in many ways as a lot was learnt during the periods of the Gothic era. Engineers and designers understood how to support buildings with flying buttresses and evolve the building to suit the culture as shown by the cruciform plans and the mass stained glass windows which are both a major essence to the Gothic. By taking inspiration from Gothic architecture, architects can emulate the awe-inspiring nature and the beauty of the Gothic style into modern structures.
References
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