Medieval Architecture

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that according to most historians, the Medieval Period, also known as the Middle Ages, represents about a thousand years from circa 400 A.D. to 1400 A.D., and is sometimes referred to as the "Dark Ages." For centuries, this period of time was thought to be the dark interval between the collapse of the Roman Empire and the rebirth of Western civilization in the Renaissance. However, the writer points out that since the 18th century, historians have revised their opinions on this period, particularly regarding the idea that Medieval design and architecture was crude and primitive. Tee writer discusses that several outstanding examples of Medieval architecture demonstrate that this old view is totally inaccurate, for there are many churches, cathedrals and related buildings in countries like France, England and Germany which bear out the truth, being that Medieval architecture and design was just as complicated and beautiful as any created during the centuries that followed the "Dark Ages."

From the Paper:

"Not too far from this enormous chapel, one can find a single, huge window divided into horizontal tiers of transom windows which help to illuminate the whole interior.
"Overall, this beautiful building must have been a very popular gathering place for worshippers from all levels of English society, even the English peasantry who usually lived in mud huts or cheaply-constructed wooden houses and could find some form of sanctuary within the walls of Salisbury away from all the poverty and starvation that characterized the typical Medieval village or town.
"In Germany, the Church of St. Elizabeth at Marburg, built between 1233 and 1283 A.D., .."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Borg, Victor P. "Architecture." Internet. 2001. Retrieved from http://www.victorborg.com/html/architecture_essay.html.
• McClendon, Charles. The Origins of Medieval Architecture: Building in Europe, AD 600-900. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2005.
• Saalman, Howard. Medieval Architecture. New York: George Braziller, 1986.

More papers on Medieval Architecture:

• Essay # 63137 : "The Symbolism of Gothic Architecture"
• Analytical Essay # 131168 : "The Castle and Medieval Cities"
• Term Paper # 95166 : "Gothic Architecture and Medieval Town Planning"

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