THE GOTHIC STYLE IN ENGLAND

The term Gothic was coined during the Italian Renaissance for a style of architecture then considered so barbaric that it could be ascribed only to the Goths, the fifth-century ravagers of Classical Rome. Gradually "Gothic" has ceased to be pejorative. The Gothic style develops in Europe between the twelfth and the sixteenth century. It follows the Norman or Romanesque style.

In the early Gothic period, the principal artistic enterprises were the great abbey and cathedral churches. No new form of church was evolved by early Gothic masons, but both architectural style and building technique underwent a complete transformation. Indeed, the Gothic style is, of all architectural styles, the one that can claim to be most completely independent of the classical traditions of antiquity. For the first 30 years of its existence Gothic architecture was an exclusively French development, but in the late twelfth century it spread beyond France and by about 1250 it had displaced the local Romanesque styles of most regions of Europe.

Gothic cathedrals have pointed arches,very high steeples, high roofs graced with fan-vaulting and wall surfaces covered with a vertical pattern of geometrical panels. High pillars and the use of pointed arches create a slender effect with a strong tension to the top. Gothic facades were vertically divided in three sections, corresponding to three portals, reflecting externally three internal naves. The facade was surmounted by twin spires and a big rose-window over the central portal. Typical of Gothic style is the stained glass work. It’s made by assembling different coloured pieces of glass in lead framing to form a pictorial image, such as the life of Jesus or one of the saints.

Stylistic features of French Gothic style are present only in the oriental side of Canterbury Cathedral and in Westminster Abbey.
In Great Britain, Gothic style had an autonomous development. It was called the " Perpendicular Style " because these buildings are slim and trim at the top. This characteristic is revealed by the screen with pillars smaller at the top. It was a development of the proceding Gothic styles in that it owed its structure and proportion of large windows to minimal supporting walls. Windows and walls were dissolved into a continuous arcade of openings and all the elements of the structure are slender at the top. Other typical characteristics are : the duplication of the transept which gives the sense of great quietness and the windows on the head of th naves and in the quire. The first English Gothic style has one of his most important examples in Salisbury and Wells Cathedrals.

 

BATH ABBEY

History

c. 60 a.d. Romans begin to develop Bath as a spa and a centre of Pagan worship around Bath’s hot spring.

Here is the summary of Bath’s history :

" Between 300-350 there is the presence of Christian people in Bath.

The 5th century sees the end of Roman Britain. In 577, the Saxons capture Bath.

In 676, a convent of Christian nuns is founded in Bath. In 781, the king of Mercia gains control of the monastery of St. Peter in Bath. In 973, Edgar is crowned as the first effective king of all England in Bath Abbey. In 1066, the Norman conquest takes place. In 1090, the Norman Bishop moves his throne from Wells to Bath, where he founds his new cathedral. In 1499, the Norman cathedral is in ruins ; the present Abbey church is founded to replace it.

In 1569, the ruined Abbey becomes the Bath parish church. In 1942, Bath is bombed and the Abbey is damaged. "

The Abbey

In the West Front, the wonderful sculptures of the Abbey talk about a legend :

God appeared in a dream to Bishop Oliver King telling him how to build the Abbey. The Bishop began the work in1499 in a place of a previous church founded in the 8th century. The building is rich in burial monuments and tombstones that give an interesting view of the history of the local society. The vast internal is characterized by the delicate fan-vaulting. The Abbey is known as " The Lantern of the West " because of the light shining from its many windows at night. The windows of the clerestorey are unusually large. They used to have the shields of families who gave money for the building. In the South Aisle the " Nativity window " shows the birth of Jesus. 

In the North Transept there is the organ, which is much used for concerts and recordings.

In the South Transept there is the fan-vaulting, a feature of English churches that is very rare in the continent. It is characteristic of the Perpendicular Style.

The high altar reminds us of the simple table at which Jesus shared his last supper with the Disciples. The font is still sometimes used for Baptism. The Norman Chapel takes its name from the rounded Norman arch above the window. The weight of the roof is sustained by a support called a flying buttress.
The Abbey is 67m long and 22m large. The nave vault is 24m high and the tower 49m high.

1. West Front represents Bishop Oliver King’s dream that led him to demolish the ruined Norman church and replace it with the present Abbey. He dreamt some angels on ladders between heaven and earth and he heard a voice bidding him to restore the church.

2. In the West Window there are Old Testament scenes and people.

3. The windowm commemorates the    crowning in Bath Abbey of Edgard, the first effective king of all England.

9. The high altar; above it there is the  great East window with 56 scenes from the life of Jesus.

13.The Norman Chapel with a  round-headed Norman arch. Here  there is Bath’s Book of

Remembrance naming the Bath civilians and members of armed forces killed in World War 2.

18.The door that, until the Abbey was  suppressed, led to the Prior’s   lodging overlooking the cloister.

 

FaV ade of Bath Abbey

 

GLASTONBURY ABBEY

Glastonbury Abbey has long been claimed as the oldest shrine in England. The first church was made in a covering of wood and lead in 633.

St. Durston, who was an abbot, built a new Abbey around the wattle church. Under the Normans, the Abbey was again rebuilt but in 1184 a great fire destroyed it. The Lady Chapel was immediately rebuilt on the site of the wattle church, but the building of the Abbey Church continued for over 300 years.

  1. QUEEN ELIZABETH’S CROSS.

  2. THE LADY CHAPEL AND CRYPT: This Chapel was built on the site of the wattle church after the fire of 1184, and stood apart from the main church until joined to it by the GALILEE. The Norman Doorways show scenes from the Bible. The Crypt Chapel, dedicated to St. Joseph of Arimathea, was rater dug out under the Galilee.

  3. THE NAVE: all that remain of the Nave today are three boys of the south wall and the shape of the windows helps in the dating of the building. The position of the great pillars which supported the Nave roof are marked in the grass by small concrete kerbs.

  4. THE TRANSEPT: the transept each had two chapels. In the North Transept, one was dedicated to St. Thomas Backet, who was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral. A later chapel was called the "Loretto Chapel", added about 1500 and named in honour of the Holy House in which Mary had lived, and which now stands in Loreto, in Italy.

    5.
  1. THE CHOIR: a large opening is the remains of an archway leading to the Choir. Here the Marks attended services eight times a day. This potin of wall show how the Abbey walls were made. Outer surfaces of dressed (cut) stone called ASHLAR were infilled with small, compacted rubble. Where extra strenght was needed to support heavy loads, the walls were made of solid dressed stone. Here stood the HIGH ALTAR, the focal point of the Abbey and from where communion with God was celebrated. It is believed that here are the graves were discovered in the Abbey graveyard by the monks in 1191.
    2.
  2. THE CLOISTERS: here the monks took exercise and against the north side would have done their studing and writing in small private booths. From here the monks could gain access to all the main parts of the Abbey. Built around here were the sleeping and eating quorters an d the Chapter House or busins centre of the Abbey.
  3. REREDORTER: the reredorter simply means the "room behind the dormitory" and was the main toilet. This would have benn continually flushed by a stream diverted to run under the building. The fouled water went down this drain. Most sign of the Abbey’s wates supply have gone.
  4. THE ABBOT’S HALL: it was a duty of the Abbot who was in charge of the Abbey to entertain and to eat with the guests. The Abbots of Glastonbury were particulary important and they needed a Great Hall for their many visitors.
  5. THE ABBOT’S KITCHEN: in this kitchen was prepared the special food for the Abbot and his important guest. Once this building had a chimney at each corner. Steam and cooking smells from the kitchen found their way out of the central lantern. Gargoyles (from an old french word for "throat") stop rain water from the roof from running down the walls.

THE GROUNDS: all the food for the Abbey came from its own estates.

 

TINTERN ABBEY

Tintern Abbey is situated in the lonely, "secluded" Wey Valley. The Abbey was founded in 1131 by cystercense monks who cultivated the fields around. In the fourteenth century it became the most important abbey in Wales but in 1536 it was destroyed by Henry VII like other monasteries.

Now it is only a ruin but its pointed arches and windows are still beautiful as in the past. Its beauty inspired poets like Wordsworth and painters like Turner.

LINES,COMPOSED A FEW MILES ABOVE TINTERN ABBEY, ON REVISITING THE BANKS OF THE WYE DURING A TOUR.

JULY 13,1798

Five years have past;five summers, with the length

Of five long winter!and again I hear

These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs

With a soft inland murmur.-Once again

Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,

That on a wild secluded scene impress

Thoughts of more deep seclusion;and connect

The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

 

 

WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Westminster Abbey represents the most solemn example of Gothic style in Great Britain. This is an active church, in fact functions are daily celebrated and it keeps Great Britain history. It was begun in 1245 and it holds more French features than any other 13th century English church. The vaults turn dramatically toward the high and simbolize God’s power. The Abbey presents the typical cruciform plant, symbol of Jesus Christ’s death. In the westpart of the Abbey the quire is located where glorious hymns for God aresung. There are a lot of tombs and monuments of important figures of English history, which illustratethe faith in life after death.

The house of kings.

The shrine.

Almost all the monarchs of this country have been crowned in the Abbey ; some are also buried next to the high Altar. In fact there are the tombs of :

  1. King Edward the First
  2. King Henry the Third
  3. King Henry the Fifth .
  4. The Coronation Chair made in 1301 and used at coronations ever since.

    5.  

    The Lady Chapel

    The Lady Chapel consists of a nave and two aisles. It was built by king Henry the seventh between 1503 and 1519. In this part there are the tombs of :

  5. Queen Elisabeth the First
  6. Queen Mary the First
  7. King Henry the Seventh
  8. Mary, Queen of Scots
  9. King Edward the Third
  10. King Richard the Second.

    11. Poets and Others

    The so called Poet’s corner honours many writers, actors and musicians. Some are buried here, others memorialised.

  11. Geffrey Chaucer
  12. William Shakspeare
  13. George Frederik Handel.

The worshipping Abbey

It contains the body of the king St. Edward the Confessor. Here coronations take place as well as royal weddings and funerals.

  1. The shrine of St. Edward
  2. Sacrarium and Cosmati Pavement
  3. The Quire.

The Monastery

The monks wrote and walked here. Their living accomodation was near the cloister. In the Chapter House they met and heard the Rule of St. Benedict read to them. Here we can find :

  1. The Chapter House
  2. The Pyx Chamber
  3. The Undercroft Museum.

The Nave

The Nave is the longest single space the church. It contains important monuments such as : 

  1. The grave of the Unknow Warrior
  2. The U.S. Cogress Medal
  3. Wiston Churchill
  4. Twentieth Century Martyrs
  5. Innocent Victims.

 

 

 

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

It was built between 1220 and 1258 to celebrate the glory and the greatness of

God. The cathedral is built in a syngle style called "early english Gothic architecture ". Developments in contruction methods made it possible to build the soaring arches that lift up people's and thoughts to God. The Cloisters and Chapter house were built in the middle of the 13th century ; the tower and spire were added later between the turn of the century and the early years of the 14th century.

A Cathedral gets its name from the Bishop's "Cathedra", the Greek word for "Choir". The Bishop's chair reflects his role as the chief teacher of the Christian faith in the diocese. This Cathedral is the "mother church" of the diocese of Salisbury. The ground plan of the Cathedral uses to shape of a

cross and the symbol of the cross appears at many places in the building.

WEST END: a perfect example of early Gothic architecture, so simple, so elegant and built in only 38 years.

  1. MEDIEVAL CLOCK: probably the earliest working clock in the world ca 1386. In separate bell-tower until 1790.
  2. NORTH TRANSEPT: large north window by Hemmings 1895 in style of 13th century.
  3. SPIRE CROSSING: four "Purbeck marble" pillars planned to carry small lantern tower only. It is the tallest in England. Subseqent strenghteningincluded "flying buttresses" in upper galleries, and stainer arches in both main and eastern transepts.
  4. QUIRE: canons’ stalls ( with misericords) mainly 13th century, rest off woodwork, including canopies, later. Vault decoration late 19th century. Enamelled glass window (1781) above High Altar shows Moses and brozen serpent.
  5. MORNING CHAPEL: revolving glass prism engraved by Laurence Whistler. Prism flanked by remains of medieval stone quire screen.
  6. CHANTRY CHAPEL OF EDMUND AUDLEY: in perpendicular style with much original colouring. Modern textiles completed1980.
  7. TRINITY CHAPEL: first altar consacrated here 1225. Note consecrtion crosses on wall. On north side 14th century wooden Madonna and Child. East window dedicated to prisoners of Conscience. Altar frontal represents "faith in the city".
  8. MOMPESSON TOMB: it’s the tomb of Sir Richard and his wife. Figures facing west instead of usual east because tomb was formerly on opposite side of cathedral.
  9. WILLIAM LONGESPEE: half-brother to king John. Served him as military and naval commander, diplomat and statesman; was present at Runnymede for Magna Carta agreement (1215) and at Foundation Stone Ceremonies of Cathedral.
  10. ST OSMUND: Purbeck marble tomb of St. Osmund. Responsible of completion of first Cathedral at Old Sarum and its promotion as centre of learning.
  11. CLOISTERS: althoug Salisbury Cathedral was never monastic, Cloisters, built in the middle of 13th century are largest in area of any Cathedral in country.
  12. CHAPTER HOUSE: it is one of the most perfect achievement of Gothic architecture in England. It was built in the mid 13th in the style known, as "Geometric". The name "Chapter" derives from the practice of reading a chapter of the Bible at their meetings. The chapitals of the Purbeck marble colums are carved to represent foliage, with here and there a little bird or animal among the leaves. There are also human heads each with a different expression. Above the arcading runs a medieval friese of sculptures representing scenes from the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus

The windows contain none of the original medieval glass, although some fragments exist in the western windows of the nave.

 

MAGNA CARTA : the British Beneath window is exhibited one of the four surviving original texts of Magna Carta the famous agreement made between King John and the barons in 1215. It is beautifully written in Latin on vellum and contains about 3500 words, many of them abbreviated, a line over the top of a word indicating where letters had been omitted. Two of the originals are in Museum and one at Lincoln Castle. The seal has not survived. The sealing of the charter was a victory for the rule of Law in this country, and established that no free man may imprisoned or persecuted without fair trial before his equals. The basic principales of Magna Carta have been incorporated into the Costitution of the United States of America and several Commonwealthcountries. Over the centuries the Cathedral has become the guardian of a valuable collection of medieval manuscripts.

The Cathedral Church of St.Andrew

In Wells

The Cathedral is dedicated to St. Andrew, one of the first disciples of Jesus.

The church was first built about 705 a.D.. In the Cathedral there is the cathedra of the bishop of the Diocese of Bath and Wells. From 1088 to 1244 the bishop’s cathedra was in Bath Abbey.

  1. West Front ( started 1230 ) : holding 293 statues, the magnificent west front presents the greatest array of mediaeval statuary in Europe. Above original tiers of statues is the figure of Christ in Majesty.
  2. Scissor arches ( c 1338-1348 ) : built to transfer weight and prevent the tower from collapsing, these amazing intersecting curves of stones were constructed under three sides of the tower. In 1313 the tower was made higher and a wooden spire covered in lead was added.
  3. Quire : the western end of the quire forms the oldest part of the present cathedral ; under some stalls are elaborately carved misericords. In the area behind the High Altar there is the retroquire.
  4. Saxon Font : it has light rounded arches and holds the water which is used at baptism.
  5. Chapter House ( completed in 1306 ) : an octagonal chamber where the Canons met to transact cathedral business.
  6. Clock ( c 1392 ) : the second oldest mechanical working clock in the world with three dials showing hours, minutes and the date of the lunar months ;above the clock-face knights mount as the clock strikes. Below the clock there is the statue of Jesus.
  7. Lady Chapel : it’s dedicated to Mary. This Chapel was built nearly 700 years ago as a separate building.

 

West faV ade of Wells Cathedral

 

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL

Winchester Cathedral was rebuilt by Normans on the original Saxon church.

It was begun in 1079, but only the crypt and some parts of the transept are left from this ancient building ; infact the two parts of the transept were rebuilt after Durham Cathedral .

Winchester Cathedral marks visibly the shifting from the Romanesque to the different types of Gothic style : the austerity of the first Gothic is sided by the ornated, " flamboyant " Gothic and later by the perpendicular Gothic, typical

of some English Cathedrals, characterized by large windows and elaborated roofs. During the13th century the retrochoir, divided in three naves, and the elegant Lady Chapel were built.

Later on, the west facade was restructured and the Romanesque was changed into the perpendicular style.

A wooden choir with misericords perfectly preserved is a good example of late Gothic richly decorated with plants and animals, which testify the gothic sensibility for the natural world.

 

ROMAN BATHS

In Bath, it was extremely exciting, walking where Romans walked on ancient stone pavements around the steaming pool, seeing the Temple of Sulis Minerva, Romano-Celtic goddess of the springs with the inscriptions and sculptures about the lives of the people of Aquae Sulis - priests, soldiers and local people such as children -.

STONEHENGE

Here is Stonehenge!

We know this site has nothing to do with owe "Gothic" but as we were quite near there, why not to go and visit the Druid misterious monument? It was terribly impressive to see those huge megalits in the sun.

GLOSSARY

THE GOTHIC

A

ABBEY: a monastery or convent ruled by an abbot or an abbess.

AISLE: the side part of a church.

ALTAR: the commmunion table; High Altar: it is at the heart of christian worship. It is here that the bread and wine are blessed at the communion service.

APSE : a rounded domed section especially at the east end of the church.

ARCH: 1. Pointed arches or soaring arches ( to soar = to fly high into the air ) (typical of gothic architecture ) ; 2. Round – headed arches (typical of Norman or Romanesque architecture ).

 

B

BAPTISM FONT: the font holds the water used at Christian Baptism, when new members are welcomed into the Church Family. They are marked with the sign of the cross on which Jesus died. Sometimes they are given a candle to show that they have passsed from the darkness of ignorance into the light of Christ.

BISHOP:a high-ranking member of clergy in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England.

BOSSES :ornamental nodes.

 

C

CAPITAL: the highest part of a column.

CARVING : statues or objects made by cutting the wood.

CATHEDRA or SEAT: place where the Bishop sits.

CHANCEL: the part of a church near the altar.

CHANDELIER: a fixture hanging from the ceiling with branches for holding lights or placed on an altar.

CHANRY CHAPEL: place where prayers were once chanted. (To chant = to recite in singing manner).

CHAPEL: a small part of a larger church.

CHEST: a large strong box.

CHOIR: group of monks who sing in a church.

CLERESTOREY: the upper row of windows.

CLOSE: the space where religious buildings stand (Archibishop mansion).

COAT OF ARMS: the badge or crest of a family that helped the building of the church.

CROSS: a crucifix ; PROCESSIONAL CROSS : it is carried in front of the Bishop, other clergy and the choir when they come in procession into the church for important services.

CRUCIFORM PLANT: it is so called because the church is built in the shape of the Cross on which Jesus died. The main body of the cross is the Nave. The North and South Transepts are the arms of the Cross. At the east end, nearest the Holy Land, is the Chancel with the Choir and the Sanctuary, which contains the High Altar. (Look at the picture).

CRIPT : an underground cell or chapel especially used for burial.

 

D

DEAMBULATORY : place behind the choir where monks used to walk.

 

E

EFFIGY : a likeness of a person carved in stone or wood.

EMBRODERIES : decoration usually in needlework.

 

F

FAçADE : the front of a building usually it was devided in three parts that corresponded to three portals outside and to the three naves inside. The façade was summounted by twin spires and a big rose-window, over the central main portal.

FLYING BUTTRSS : it supports the weight of the roof outside the church.

 

L

LECTERN : a stand for a book to be read.

 

M

MISERICORDS : the clergy or monks sat there to rest while standing during long services.

N

NAVE : the middle or main part of the church where the people worship.

 

O

ORGAN : a musical instrument typical of churches.

 

P

PILLAR : an upright support for roofs and arches. BROKEN PILLAR : it is a sign that this is a memorial to the " last of the line ", the last member of a family who died without having children.

PORTAL : a grand entrance or doorway.

PULPIT : an enclosed platform in a church for the minister or priest.

 

Q

QUIRE : place where monks sang sitting in their choirstalls.

 

R

REREDORTER : room behind the dormitory.

RETROQUIRE : the area behind the Altar.

ROOD : a cross carrying an image of Christ.

ROSE-WINDOW : it is a round window with stained glass.

 

S

SCISSOR ARCHES : to strength the tower to support the weight of the tower.

SPIRES : a tale, sharp-pointed tower. TWIN SPIRES : two similar spires.

STAINED GLASS : it is composed of coloured pieces of glass which form sacred figures; its function is to diffuse the light in the nave.

STEEPLE : the tower of a church with the bell.

 

T

TRANSEPT : the part of a church which lies across the main part.

 

V

VAULT : an arched roof. FAN-VAULTING : a vault reproducing a fan.

 

W

WALL MEMORIALS : a statue commemorating a historical event or people on a wall.

 

 

HANNO PARTECIPATO ALLO SCAMBIO
Gli alunni:
                    Bagnoli Cristina
Bernardi Luca
Chellini Silvia
Cinci Elena
Conforti Erica
Conti Francesca
Di Renzo Romina
Masini Erica
Moneti Sonia
Mori Alessandra
Nannoni Giulia
Pepi Giulia
Pezzi Giulia
Santangelo Alice

L' insegnante: Razzi Paola