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The Medieval Church Cathedrals

            The Medieval Church Cathedrals and Medieval Man.
             Ideal geometric shapes in architecture have imparted a feeling of order and harmony since the Greeks.
             The Romans, using only geometry and the repeated use of the semicircular arch, later built and empire.
             The medieval flying buttress was born from the desire for building higher; and the pointed arch arose from the necessity of efficiently transferring the extra weight from above.
             Gothic was firs used as a term of derision by Renaissance critics who scorned the architectural style's lack of conformity to the standards of classic Greece and Rome. A closer look, however, reveals that the underpinnings of medieval architecture were firmly rooted in the ancient use of geometry and proportion. It is seen in the overall cruciform shape of a cathedral. Cruciform means the building is in the shape of the cross on which Christ was hung.
             Light was important to medieval theologians. It symbolized God's first creation. The use of stained glass windows transformed ordinary light into something divine. Gothic architecture developed out of a desire to build churches with larger windows so that God's light could shine throughout the building(www.newyorkcarver.com). Most medieval stained glass was not stained.
             Medieval man felt saints were exceptional people because they died for what they believed. Relics of saints were placed in a shrine; often in the form of an elaborate tomb embellished with gems and precious metals. The most notable saint being Thomas Becket. Becket's casket is decorated with scenes of martyrdom, against a blue enamel background, with details picked out in gold and the faces raised up in relief. The casket depicted scenes of his murder, burial and ascent into paradise. His soul is carried aloft by angels. A full-length portrait of him was included in the mosaic decoration of the cathedral of Monreale. Saints were also immortalized in the jamb figures located on either side of the main portal door.


Essays Related to The Medieval Church Cathedrals

1. Gotic Cathedrals

... as a derogatory term for all architects and artists in the middle ages, which were compared to the works of the barbarian Goths. Although now the Gothic Age is considered Europe's internationally acclaimed, it began as a regional phenomenon (Kleiner 488). The gothic style was first recognized in northern France around 1140 A.D., during the last major medieval period, immediately following the Romanesque period. Gothic art would dominate European architectural development ... Cathedral after fire destruction in 1174, which lead to a new style from the English. The English Cathedrals are ...

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2. Etheldreda and the Shrine Architecture of Ely

... Witburga and brought it for entombment in the church at Ely. Ely was fortunate among English cathedrals in having a saint of such renown as Etheldreda. Her shrine, in the eastern arm of the Cathedral, was an object of veneration and a source of income for the Priory though out the medieval period. (Meadows and Ramsay 2003, 67) The shrines with the bodies of all the saints formed a tangible connection between earth and ... Heaven for pilgrims seeking solace. In 1072 William the Conqueror made a pilgrimage ... ...

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3. Two of the Greatest Time Periods in Art History

... was the Catholic Church. The people of medieval times were more interested in the principle that the life of the spirit and the afterworld was superior to building and enjoying earthly culture. Most of the works of art center around the church, as they were the major financial supporter of art during this time. Therefore, the information gathered today about life during the medieval period is largely found in relation to Christian works and the church. The medieval times ... two examples do not show many different facial expression, many of the sculpted figures of the renaissance do sho...

  • Word Count: 1682
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4. Church In The Middle Ages

... sin" of Adam weakens human nature made man fearful of failure. In a time when the shape of the Christian church was in question, the crusades acted as a battle to separate the power in the medieval church. The traditional names given to the movements were the "Gregorian Reform" or the "Hildenbrandine Reform." Both names of which the author says are misguiding and inappropriate. They refer to Pope Gregory VII, who while played a major role ... ." For example, the chapter involving the description of the universities shows the historical beginnings of modern-day college. The origin, Logan ...

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5. Church In The Middle Ages

... sin" of Adam weakens human nature made man fearful of failure. In a time when the shape of the Christian church was in question, the crusades acted as a battle to separate the power in the medieval church. The traditional names given to the movements were the "Gregorian Reform" or the "Hildenbrandine Reform." Both names of which the author says are misguiding and inappropriate. They refer to Pope Gregory VII, who while played a major role ... ." For example, the chapter involving the description of the universities shows the historical beginnings of modern-day college. The origin, Logan ...

  • Word Count: 3487
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6. The Middle Ages; The Golden Age, The Age of Faith, The Age o

... cathedrals with the marvelous ceilings, stained glass windows and flying buttresses began in the middles ages. These architectural achievements reflected in Medieval Europe by H.C. Davis, Oxford University Press. " measure [the middle ages] by the memories and the achievements that it has bequeathed to the modern world we must judge them by their philosophy and law, their poetry and architecture- Faith was also a very important aspect in medieval life. The Catholic Church ... had influence on the government as well as religion making it very powerful. People of the church made strict co...

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7. Medieval Culture

... The art and architecture of the medieval times was a way to idealize the affirmation of their spiritual beliefs. The most important example would be the ways in which the cathedrals were built. They were almost always either the tallest building right smack in the center of the town, or it was placed upon a hill so that it stood above all other buildings. This was to symbolize that the church was the ... strongest and largest power in the ... town. Another example of how they affirmed their spiritual beliefs and values through art, were the stained glass windows they placed in the cathe...

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8. Medieval Music

... later Western music. In the history of music, the medieval period extends from about A.D. 500 to about 1450. However, our knowledge of medieval music is incomplete due to our loss of medieval music. The music of the people consisted of folk songs and dances. Public concerts did not exist. Paying to hear music would have seemed ridiculous to medieval people. Church polyphony was performed only in cathedrals, monasteries, royal chapels ... , and a few large city churches. Outside of these places polyphony was confined, in most of Europe, to the upper classes. The common people only heard p...

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9. How the Medieval Church Affected Everyday Life

The Medieval Church played a significant role on the people of the times, be they a peasant or nobility, more so than it does today. In this paper, I will relay to you the conditions, rules, and impacts of the Church on Medieval Society. From the earliest ages, the people were told that the only way to get to Heaven was if the Roman Catholic Church would allow them. On a weekly basis, society was informed of the atrocities ... of it, and would do anything to be obviated from this devastation. This you see is how the Church controlled every aspect of their lives, from start to finish. Every cl...

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