Gothic Cathedrals

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the Middle Ages gave rise to several schools of thought after the fall of the Roman Empire, schools of thought that would shape how Christianity would be represented and worshipped. The writer points out that as a result, Gothic architecture was born, with markedly different characteristics than its predecessors. The writer discusses that the Gothic architectural style had one central theme in mind: to display the glory of God while demonstrating the smallness and insignificance of man, a mortal being. In doing so, new methods of construction were implemented to give the structures a more intense assertion of grandeur. The writer concludes that each cathedral has a story to tell, and the Gothic method of architecture allowed them to tell their story in a unique and grandiose fashion.

Outline:
The European Middle Ages and the Gothic Cathedral
Notre-Dame D'Amiens
Other Influential Biblical References
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"One characteristic of the Gothic cathedral that separated it from its predecessors was its use of the "flying buttress". Historically, cathedrals had been built in such a manner that its sheer size called for thicker walls to support the tremendous weight bearing down from the top of the structures. In Gothic cathedrals, the flying buttress was initiated. Bearing the weight of the structure from an angle, the flying buttress allowed for the walls of the cathedrals to have cut-outs, which allowed for much larger windows, allowing light to pour into the interior, illuminating the structure while adding to its spiritual ambience.
"While the Gothic cathedral boasted several new forms of design, there was an adherence to tradition in part of its construction: the floor plan. The floor plan of the Gothic cathedral was designed in the same "cross" patterns of previous cathedrals, with each section having a different function for biblical reference."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Romane, Cecile. "Notre Dame D'Amiens - French Cathedral." UNESCO Courier March, 1997
• J.I. ""Gothic" Architecture." Notes and Queries Vol. s1-I, Number 9 (1849) Pg. 134
• Grant, Lindy. "Amiens Cathedral West Front." QJM: An International Journal of Medicine Vol. 97, No. 6 (2004) Pg. 315
• Simson, Otto Georg von. The Gothic cathedral: origins of Gothic architecture and the medieval concept of order. Bollingen Series, XLVII (1988)
• Bony, Jean. French Gothic Architecture of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries University of California Press, (1985)

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