places like Banbury and Edinburgh, were built by several

rulers, including Alfred the Great. Most of the stone

Abstract
castles that currently dot the region were constructed in
This research is about medieval architecture and its the 11th century by Norman lords. In the meantime,
types, styles, religions, and building techniques during wealthy landowners in France started building enormous
middle age. This study shows how building was fortresses that eventually turned into castles. These
constructed throughout the Middle Ages, which were built for a number of different
generally spanned the fifth to the fifteenth centuries, are
referred to as medieval architecture. The architecture
was developed further throughout the so-called
Renaissance, building on earlier works. Examples of
causes. First off, the castle was a symbol of both wealth
medieval architecture are typically only found in
and authority. Additionally, it was a military outpost that
Scandinavia, western, central, and southern Europe.
offered the lord some defense against the King of
There are four categories of medieval architecture: the
France. Like Roman city walls, the castle might also serve
mighty, the holy, the public, and the functional.
as a commerce barrier, preventing traders from entering
the city and making them travel through a tariff zone.
Initially, Roman Empire architecture served as the model
Introduction
for ecclesiastical medieval architecture. The designs of
Structures built throughout the Middle Ages, which Roman temples, one of which may be found at
generally spanned the fifth to the fifteenth century, are Caerwent, Wales, served as inspiration for this in part.
referred to as "medieval architecture." The architecture, Early churches were either constructed on the remains
which was based on earlier works, persisted throughout of old temples or converted basilicas, hence the name.
the Renaissance. Medieval architecture can be seen in While richer and more developed kingdoms like France
abundance in Scandinavia, Western, Central, and and the Holy Roman Empire built stone churches that
Southern Europe. There are four categories that can be were rarely seen until the Norman invasion of England in
used to categorize the Middle Ages' influential, religious, 1066, cultures like those in Anglo-Saxon England erected
public, and practical architecture. Roman and ancient wooden churches, a trend that continues in Scandinavia
architecture were still standing in the Eastern today.
Mediterranean during the Early Middle Ages. Around
Types of medieval architecture
Europe, including the United Kingdom, archaeological
sites have uncovered several Roman towns and villas. Religious architecture
These buildings regularly fell into ruin due to a lack of
The history of architecture is more concerned with
qualified masons, and finally were replaced by timber
religious structures than with any other kind since, in
huts. The architecture of the peasantry and lower
most ancient cultures, the church or temple was the
classes is characterized by low-slung dwellings called
most expressive, longest lasting, and most significant
grubenhaus, as seen in Beowulf's Meduseld. In the late
structure in any community due to the universal and
Middle Ages, architecture started to advance with larger
lofty appeal of religion. The typology of religious
and more durable structures. These buildings were
architecture is complicated because no single religion
intended to serve a purpose. This led to the
has any fundamental characteristics, such as those that
development of pottery complexes, mills, smithies, and
define domestic architecture, and because each
multi-sectioned long dwellings. Castles progressively
religion's functions involve a wide variety of activities
took the place of fortifications throughout Europe.
that alter as societal patterns change.
Archaeology has revealed that hill forts were rebuilt
throughout the Early Middle Ages, often known as the Military architecture
British Dark Ages. Burghs, which are still in existence in
Since there has been a desire to compete for territory,
military architecture has existed for ages. It keeps track
of emerging tactics and weaponry trends and makes
predictions about them. The designs and concepts
created for the armed forces also help with solving
common problems in society. As a result, while working
to meet the needs of the military, there is always
potential for creativity and experimentation. The space
composition system's universal design and clarity are
further addressed by the architecture's features and
requirements. Each building's purpose is harmoniously
projected into its own space. For architects, every
project presents a fresh opportunity to expand their
areas of competence.
Civic architecture
the architecture used in the construction of buildings for
civil purposes, as opposed to military and naval
architecture, such as private mansions, palaces,
churches, and so forth. Architecture in a community that
is created by and belongs to its inhabitants is known as
civic architecture. Additionally, citizens are those who
belong to a community and have rights and obligations
there.
Styles of Medieval Architecture
Pre-Romanesque Architecture
Building monuments from southern and western Europe
that date to the early Middle Ages (about 500–1000) are
examples of pre-Roman construction. The Germanic
tribes began to settle, embrace Christianity, and adopt
Roman civilization around this time. Buildings changed
from being made of wood to being made of stone,
mostly churches. Under Charles the Great's rule (814–
814), highly disparate construction techniques and
methods initially started to converge, setting the stage
for the development of Roman art. Pre-Romanesque
architecture encompasses the heyday of Byzantine
construction in the East. The buildings at King
Theodoric's (526) headquarters in Ravenna, Italy, bear a
strong testament to her influence, although the Western
architects were unable to produce such magnificent
works. Pre-Romanesque architecture does not include
structures with a significant Byzantine influence. Early
Christian architecture, Romanesque architecture,
Russian church architecture, Norse architecture, Pre-
Romanesque architecture, including Merovingian,
Carolingian, Ottonian, and Asturian architecture, can all
be classified as Early Middle Ages architecture. Although
these terminologies have issues, they still function well
as introductions to the age. Trachtenberg's
"historicizing" and "modernizing" aspects, Italian vs
northern, Spanish, and Byzantine themes, and especially
the theological and political machinations between
kings, popes, and other ecclesiastic officials are factors
that come into history of each period.
Romanesque Architecture
the term "Romanesque" means descended from the
Romans. Romanesque, often known as the Norman style
in England, emerged in the 10th century and persisted
into the 12th. With the advent of Gothic architecture, its
popularity declined. The characteristics of certain
regional architectural traditions, including Carolingian,
Ottanian, Byzantine, and Roman architecture, have been
blended in this style. Romanesque buildings typically
include strong walls, large structures, semicircular
arches, barrel vaults, and tall towers as their
distinguishing characteristics. Romanesque architecture
also incorporates dynamic masses into a single
structure. Romanesque structures also exude a strong
sense of force and solidity to those who observe them
from the outside. Without further ado, let's look more
closely at the traits of Romanesque architecture.
Gothic Architecture
is a type of architecture that was popular in Europe from
the late 12th and the 16th century, or the High and Late
Middle Ages, and which, in some places, continued into
the 17th and 18th centuries. It developed from
Romanesque architecture, and Renaissance architecture
succeeded it. It was created in northern France,
specifically in the Île-de-France and Picardy regions. The
term Gothic was initially disparagingly used during the
later Renaissance by those ambitious to resurrect the
architecture of ancient antiquity. At the time, the style
was occasionally referred to as opus Francigenum. The
pointed or ogival arch is the distinctive design feature of
Gothic architecture. The development of the pointed rib
vault, flying buttresses, intricate tracery, and stained-
glass windows were all influenced by the usage of the
pointed arch.
Religion of Medieval Architecture
Medieval Religion
Christianity, specifically Catholicism, was the only
religion officially recognized throughout Medieval
Europe. The church had a significant influence on
people's lives during the Middle Ages. No matter who
you were—a peasant, a serf, a noble, a lord, or a king—
the church and medieval religion controlled your life
from birth to death. Convents and monasteries among
other religious institutions rose to prominence and
affluence. The Catholic church and religion dominated
the lives of many Medieval individuals, including several
orders of monks and nuns. The Christian church
underwent a significant deal of transformation
throughout this time. The Eastern and Western Christian
Churches divided as a result of disputes during the
Crusades, leading to The Great Schism of 1054,
sometimes known as the Crusades' consequences, was a
division between the Eastern and Western Christian
Churches. The Catholic faith's practices came under
scrutiny, and men like Martin Luther (1483–1546)'s ideas
inspired the creation of a new religion called
Protestantism, which sparked a second split in the
Christian Church known as the Protestant Reformation.
All significant historical occurrences, religious reformers,
and philosophers who influenced changes in medieval
religion are included in this section.
Christianity
Christianity has status as a result of the emperor's
personal endorsement, which increases the demand for
rituals and organizational structure. Christian basilica
architectural design was for the needs of the
congregation, which meant a new kind of design. With
the spreading of the influence of Christianity,
congregations grew as did the churches space. "New
Early Christian building types include churches,
baptisteries for the ritual of baptism, and mausoleums
for the dead.
Islam
Roman, Byzantine, Iranian, and Mesopotamian
architecture, as well as all other cultures whose
territories the Early Muslim conquests captured in the
seventh and eighth centuries, had an influence on early
Islamic architecture. As Islam spread throughout
Southeast Asia, Chinese and Indian architecture also had
an impact further east.
Judaism
Judaism is one of the religions with the most symbolism
and history. It is the oldest monotheistic religion in the
world, having existed for close to 4,000 years. Judaism
employs buildings and places of worship for gatherings,
study, and liturgical services in addition to other
purposes. In order to honor Judaism, introspection, and
community, architects are reconsidering the design of
synagogues and public gathering places today.
Paganism
Religious and non-religious architecture can be broadly
classed as belonging to the Pagan period. Both buildings
have distinctive characteristics and regional
components. As a result, Pagan structures continue to
be respected and significant. It has been noted that
when pilgrims visit Buddhist temples, they do not only
honor the Buddha statues but also take in the
architectural splendor. Additionally, Buddhist temples
from the Pagan era can be divided into four types: solid
temples in the Stupa style, hollow temples in the Gu
style, vaulted temples, and Buddhist temples with
pentagonal floor plans.
Conclusion
The word "medieval architecture" refers to buildings
constructed throughout the Middle Ages, including
municipal, ecclesiastical, and military constructions. The
three primary architectural eras of the Middle Ages are
Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque, and Gothic. Most of the
remaining medieval buildings are cathedrals and castles,
but there are also numerous instances of medieval-style
dwellings and municipal buildings spread throughout
Europe.
References:

https://artincontext.org/medieval-architecture

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-
england/medieval/architecture/

https://www.revisitinghistory.com/medieval/
architecture-and-design/