Gothic Architecture and Medieval Town Planning

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at gothic architecture and the urban planning of medieval towns, focusing specifically on Mont- Saint-Michel on the islet of Mont Tombe. According to the paper, aside from the intrinsic military value of Mont-Saint-Michel, the place served also as a social, cultural and political arena.

From the Paper:

"Of particular interest in the study of Gothic architecture is the structure standing tall on the islet of Mont Tombe - Mont-Saint-Michel. Before understanding the architectural wonder of this sacred shrine, one must first know the history relevant not only to the place itself but in most areas during the Medieval Period. Since this era has been considered fraught with battles and warfare, building of churches, cathedrals or any holy place at that time was not only in consideration of the religious fervour but in deference to military strategies as well. Religious structures did not serve only as places of worship but of defense or withstanding of attacks from marauding invaders. Mont-Saint-Michel is by any means not an exception since aside from serving the spiritual needs of the inhabitants; its military value was very much taken into consideration."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abelard. (2006). Gothic cathedral and church construction. Abelard.org [Internet]. Cathedrals in France. Available from: <http://www.abelard.org/france/cathedral-construction.php> [Accessed 12 September 2006].
• Adams, Henry. (1913) Mont-Saint-Michel and Chartres. Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company.
• Gothic Architecture. (2000). Bishops College [Internet]. Available from: <http://www.bishops.k12.nf.ca/designtech2109/archstyles/gothic/index.html> [Accessed 12 September 2006].
• Benedict M.X. (2006). Gothic Architecture. M.X. Benedict's Arts and Humanities Home Page [Internet]. Available from: <http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mxb/med_gothic_architec.html> [Accessed 12 September 2006].
• L'abbage du Mont-Saint-Michel. (2005). Nets d'Or Regional [Internet]. Available from: http://vinz666.club.fr/index.htm> [Accessed 12 September 2006]

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