Between Rome and Goth

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 [published 7/4/2021]

The Byzantines

Key Buildings created at this time were ornately decorated. The experience and journey taken by the inhabitant would have been key within the buildings plan.

Constantine was converted to Christianity, a key event in the religion's rise to the mainstream. Churches, a Christian place of worship, are core architectural features throughout the world. The religion's influence can be seen within byzantine architecture.

 

The Byzantines also gave history a strong feminine icon. Theodora, the wife of Emperor Justinian. She was born into poor circumstances and rose to be a strong voice within the Empire. Romans were firm believers in women as property, so this was a massive achievement for a woman at that time.

Meanwhile, in Britain, locals were thought (by archaeologists) to be repurposing the buildings left behind by Romans when they retracted from Britain (and most of Europe).

 

Romanesque

Romanesque architecture was a response to what was left behind by the Romans. The Aesthetic vernacular was solid and sturdy. Thick walls, buttress, groin vaulting, and relief arches were critical features of this period.

 Edward the Confessor

Anglo-Saxon

the Anglo-Saxons were several tribes living in Britain (and the surrounding area) during the Middle Ages. Many modern fairy tales have been set within this time. Including the tail of King Arther and his nights. Many historic sites have some link to this tail. They produced a lot of high-quality handmade crafts. Which would one day inspire the likes of William Morris during the arts and crafts movement.

The Feudal system began. The system dictated that Lords owned the land, and they were required to look after that land and the people who lived on it. The peasants belonged to the land and, therefore, the lord. The peasants farmed the land and paid taxes to the lord. The peasants worked the land in return for the lord's protection.

Vikings, a group of people from northeast Europe, invaded a range of countries, including Briton. They gained and exchanged a range of knowledge and goods. They kept slaves and worked as mercenaries all over the globe. The Vikings were pagan. Most of them converted to Christianity through the work of Christian missionaries. During this period, most Europeans followed Christianity.

The Bedouins, in Arabia, were discovering Islam. This religion continued to grow and have an effect on architecture throughout history.

How a Novel Saved Notre-Dame and Changed Perceptions of Gothic Architecture,© <a href='https://www.flickr.com/photos/davehamster/8164290385/'>Flickr user davehamster</a> licensed under <a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/'>CC BY 2.0</a>

The Gothic Period

The Gothic period started in France. The French built many masterpieces in the gothic style, including Notre Dame Cathedral. The buildings of this movement have delicate, ornate features. This was due to the technical advancements allowing for thinner walls and arches; as well as larger windows that let in more light. The key structural features, like the flying buttress, pointed arch, and pinnacle, had both form and function.

 

Further Notes

I knew a lot about this time before writing this piece. Most research was about filling the gaps, understanding space and time, and looking closer at technical information. This is the first piece I have used dyslexia and dyspraxia digital assistance equipment (text to speech, read and write, mindview, etc). Though it was not used until the end of this piece, it has already proved a lot easier and quicker.

 

Bibliography

Hall M.A., Timothy C. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Middle Ages: Explore the Turbulent Times and Events of This Extraordinary Era. UK, DK Audio, 19 Mar. 2020, play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEDscRQx6M.

Ressler Ph.D, Stephen. “The Rise and Fall of the Gothic Cathedral | Kanopy.” Port.kanopy.com, 2011, port.kanopy.com/video/rise-and-fall-gothic-cathedral.

EASYarchitecture. “What Is Gothic Architecture?” YouTube (Jayson Malik & Arise Studios), 27 Jan. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrdkL7Y8Who. Written, Produced and Edited by: Mark Wilcken Architectural Advisor: Ethel Goodstein- Murphree, Associate Dean and Professor of Architecture at Fay Jones School of Architecture, University of Arkansas.

Ramirez, Dr Janina. “Architects of the Divine: The First Gothic Age.” Www.youtube.com, BBC, 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAFoH8QNZfo&t=59s, www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-Oz3wjdoGs, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX67TR2sgv0. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Stoney, Shannon. “Ch 16 Gothic Cathedral Architecture.” Www.youtube.com, 7 Oct. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxj1fo2p0Q. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Stoney, Shannon. “Ch 16, Roman Architecture and Romanesque Churches.” Www.youtube.com, 5 Dec. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPAP7RSO230. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

 

 

davehamster. How a Novel Saved Notre-Dame and Changed Perceptions of Gothic Architecture, www.archdaily.com/879028/how-a-novel-saved-notre-dame-and-changed-perceptions-of-gothic-architecture/59ae8970b22e387006000068-how-a-novel-saved-notre-dame-and-changed-perceptions-of-gothic-architecture-photo. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Encyclopædia Britannica. “Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.,” Encyclopædia Britannica, www.britannica.com/place/Byzantine-Empire#/media/1/87186/96028. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Encyclopædia Britannica. “Theodora,” Encyclopædia Britannica, www.britannica.com/place/Byzantine-Empire#/media/1/87186/96065. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Encyclopædia Britannica. “Saint-Sernin,” Encyclopædia Britannica, www.britannica.com/art/Romanesque-architecture#/media/1/1384996/245577. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

Ronan, Ann. “Angalo Saxon Edward the Confessor,” History Extra, 26 Apr. 2020, www.historyextra.com/period/anglo-saxon/facts-anglo-saxons-dates/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2021.

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