Gothic Architecture in Medieval France
Gothic Architecture in Medieval France
As with most modernizations, new concepts are often refined versions of previous techniques. Although structural design during the Middle Ages was already advancing at a large scale, distortions of the classical style were not too apparent until the Gothic era occurred. Taking place during a time of turmoil with the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Plague, the Gothic age emerged right as European society was forced into a reflective change. With an increase in trade and a growing civilization, an associated development of cities also occurred. Since it was more plausible to centralize churches and monasteries within towns, advancements of stone architecture began in order to meet the needs of the general public. First appearing in Northern France in the mid-12th century, Gothic style began mainly in these newly built or restored cathedrals. The modernizations that took place within Gothic architecture directly reflected the changes that were taking place within French society.
The two main structural improvements of Gothic architecture were pointed arches and ribbed vaulting. Building upon the design of the intersecting arches of groin vaults (primarily seen within the Romanesque period), Gothic architects created rib vaults as a result of using diagonal and transverse arches that intersected crosswise. By switching from curved to more-pointed arches, builders were able to maximize height-space and have all the arches at approximately the same level, regardless of the arches’ widths. This allowed the inside of cathedrals to be very spacious and give the appearance of openness. Another structural advantage of the pointed Gothic vaults is its downward weight distribution. Because they require less reinforcement to keep them in position, large windows could be placed underneath the arches instead of supports, making it possible to let more light into the room. These areas were often filled with another prominent Gothic
As with most modernizations, new concepts are often refined versions of previous techniques. Although structural design during the Middle Ages was already advancing at a large scale, distortions of the classical style were not too apparent until the Gothic era occurred. Taking place during a time of turmoil with the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Plague, the Gothic age emerged right as European society was forced into a reflective change. With an increase in trade and a growing civilization, an associated development of cities also occurred. Since it was more plausible to centralize churches and monasteries within towns, advancements of stone architecture began in order to meet the needs of the general public. First appearing in Northern France in the mid-12th century, Gothic style began mainly in these newly built or restored cathedrals. The modernizations that took place within Gothic architecture directly reflected the changes that were taking place within French society.
The two main structural improvements of Gothic architecture were pointed arches and ribbed vaulting. Building upon the design of the intersecting arches of groin vaults (primarily seen within the Romanesque period), Gothic architects created rib vaults as a result of using diagonal and transverse arches that intersected crosswise. By switching from curved to more-pointed arches, builders were able to maximize height-space and have all the arches at approximately the same level, regardless of the arches’ widths. This allowed the inside of cathedrals to be very spacious and give the appearance of openness. Another structural advantage of the pointed Gothic vaults is its downward weight distribution. Because they require less reinforcement to keep them in position, large windows could be placed underneath the arches instead of supports, making it possible to let more light into the room. These areas were often filled with another prominent Gothic
Cited: Bony, Jean V. French Gothic Architecture of the 12th and 13th Centuries. Berkeley: University of California, 1983 Fitchen, J. 1961. The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals: A Study of Medieval Vault Erection. Oxford, Oxford University Press.