Architecture in the Middle Ages

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Patricia Goldsby Professor Reigle 9/12/2011 Architecture in the Middle Ages Middle Age Architecture went through many advanced changes from the Romanesque to the Gothic styles of architecture between 11th and 12th centuries. The Middle Ages were considered a very unsettled period of time in the world’s history; however, it was a time that saw the foundation of great architectural improvements. Many of the world’s ultimate architectural structures were constructed during this period and most are still standing today. There were many styles of architecture, but two main types of architectural developments during that era were Romanesque and Gothic styles. Both were comparable in some ways but surprisingly mostly different. Gothic architecture derived from the Romanesque style; however, both of these periods have its own dissimilarities, and therefore, its own unique character. These two were created during the Middle Ages around 800-1500 AD. (Moffett, Fazio and Wodehouse 191-273) The architecture of the Romanesque and Gothic periods as a whole was unlike that of any other and the transition that the architecture endured during the conversion from Romanesque to Gothic was truly radical. (Marquardt and Jordan 7) The differences between Romanesque and Gothic architecture may be due to the lifestyles changes that occurred between these two eras. Romanesque architecture was designed for protection purposes than for quality. Romanesque buildings are low and heavy-looking, with thick walls, round arches and small windows. Rows of columns support round, arched ceilings called vaults. The vaults are heavy and tended to create downward force that could cause the walls to collapse. (Armi 48)This is the reason buttresses (stone supports) were built against the walls. Romanesque carving was almost always done in relief-sculpture carved from a background. Earlier
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