The Architectural style

period in English
architecture roughly dated
to the years 1066-1180
known as “Norman”
periods of English medieval architecture
approximately as follows :

•Early Norman in England 1060-1090

•Norman Period 1090-1160
•Transition 1160-1195
•Early English 1189-1272
•Transition 1272-1300
•Decorated 1300-1377
•Transition 1360-1399
•Perpendicular 1377-1547
Interior of a Romanesque Cathedral
Early Christian vs. Romanesque
The Speyer Cathedral in
Germany
A typical Romanesque cathedral

The rounded arch

Small windows

2
Viking Conquests
 Medieval (medium aevum)
Times
• The full time span of the
Middle Ages covers many
centuries. It begins with
the breakup of the Roman
Empire and merges into
the Renaissance in the 15c
and 16c. However, in
England the dates we
assign are 1066-1485.
Early Christian vs.
Romanesque
 Aspects of Gothic Architecture

Floor plan
of an
English
Gothic
Cathedral

This is a plan
of Gloucester
cathedral
 For stability, a circular Roman arch supporting only its own
weight must be thick enough to contain an equivalent “inverted
catenary” arch
Therefore, Romanesque architecture typically very massive
(“heavy”)
 3rd Abbey Church at Cluny,
1049
• Largest church in the Christian world
• Like Roman basilica but more elaborate
• Vertical emphasis
Barrel vault
Transept
Masters of the Great Cathedrals
 Stages of Postclassical
Development
• D. New Economic and Urban
Vigor
– Agricultural
improvements
• Increased production
• Surplus, wealth,
population growth
– Towns grow
• Literacy expands
– Education
• Cathedral schools,
from 11th century
• Universities, from 13th
century
Romanesque Architectural Style
• Rounded Arches.
• Barrel vaults.
• Thick walls.
• Darker, simplistic
interiors.
• Small windows, usually
at the top of the wall.
Which Vault Is Which?
Triforium or Triforium
passage:

A narrow passage in
the thickness of the
wall with arches
opening onto the nave.
It may occur at the
level of the clerestory
windows, or it may be
located as a separate
level below the
clerestory. It may itself
have an outer wall of
glass rather than stone
Romanesque Architecture
 English Romanesque
• Exteriors were plain
except for sculptural relief
around the main portal.
These relief figures told a
bible story.
• The emphasis was on the
horizontal – modest
height –rounded arches –
walls as support – dark
and somber tone --
simple and severe lines.
Norman Romanesque
 Manors plus castle
Manoralism plus Feudalism
Leeds Castle dates back to 1119
 Medieval Town
Functional but not built for trade
The term Norman
architecture is used to
categories styles of
Romanesque architecture
developed by the Normans in
the various lands under their
dominion or influence in the
11th and 12th centuries.
 In 596 Pope Gregory the Great sent St Augustine to convert
England to Christianity. This was the first ever papal mission,
and St Augustine built a priory on the site of the present
cathedral precincts in AD 597
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian churches in England
and it continues to play a central role in English Christianity. Originally
founded in 602
The Normans (adapted from the
name "Northmen" or "Norsemen")
were a mixture of the indigenous
people of France and the Viking
invaders under the leadership of
Hrolf Ganger, who adopted the
French name Rollo and swore
allegiance to the king of France (
Charles the Simple). Danish or
Norwegian Vikings began to
occupy the northern area of
France now known as Normandy in
the latter half of the 9th century. In
911, Charles the Simple granted
them the small lower Seine area,
which expanded over time to
become the Duchy of Normandy.
The Norman people adopted Christianity and the
Gallo-Romance language and created a new cultural identity
separate from that of their Scandinavian forebears and
French neighbors. Norman culture, like that of many other
migrant communities, was particularly enterprising and
adaptable. For a time, it led them to occupy widely dispersed
territories throughout Europe.
 The main gatehouse of
Oxford Castle Harlech Castle, Wales.
Oxford Castle
Stone wall of an English barn
The Tower of
London, seen
from the
River Thames,
with a view of
the water gate
called
"Traitors
Gate."
Tower of London. 1078-1097
 Durham Cathedral
1093

Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham in the North East of England, was
founded in 1093 and remains a centre for Christian worship today. It is
generally regarded as one of the finest examples of a Norman cathedral in
Europe, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with
nearby Durham Castle, which faces it across Palace Green, high above the
River Wear.
North side of Durham Cathedral, across Palace Green.
Durham_Cathedral_plan. Ground plan of
Durham Cathedral
The Church of England
Durham Castle, seen here in front of the Cathedral
Durham Castle - view from within the Castle courtyard
Durham Castle - view of the keep
Mont Saint Michel is a historic pilgrimage site and a symbol of Normandy
Anglo-Saxon stone carving at Earls Barton church
 Ludlow Castle's
gatehouse

The castle was first

constructed in the
late 11th century
(possibly 1085) by a
Norman marcher lord
known as Roger de
Lacy, and was held
by the de Lacy and
Mortimer families
before passing into
the hands of the
crown with the
accession of King
Edward IV of England.
Clock tower
Tower of London (c.1077-97)
Durham Cathedral (1295)
View of Ely Cathedral across the cathedral yard.
Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire is
a magnificent medieval cathedral
with a number of unique
characteristics. Most of the present
building was completed by 1189 in
the Romanesque style, with some
additions made in the 13th and 14th
centuries.
Norwich Cathedral

Norwich Cathedral is
more than 900 years
old.
 Salisbury Cathedral, built c. 1200—1275, is a superb example of Early
English Gothic architecture (apart from its 14th-century tower and spire)
 The Early English Gothic style superseded the Romanesque or
Norman style of the 12th century

St Mary's Built between 1220

Church and 1240 the most
important external
Felmersham, feature is the West
Bedfordshire Front, considered
to be one of the
finest examples of
Early English
architecture in the
region
The West Front of Exeter Cathedral
periods of English medieval architecture
approximately as follows :

Early Norman in England 1060-1090

Norman Period 1090-1160
Transition 1160-1195
Early English 1189-1272
Transition 1272-1300
Decorated 1300-1377
Transition 1360-1399
Perpendicular 1377-1547
Westwork

Nave

Aisles

Transept

Radiating Chapels