The MIddle Ages
The Middle Ages rose out of the ashes of the Roman Empire. The Pagan religion was under threat from the huge up rise in Christian followers. Christianity quickly became a standard religion with churches, Bishops, officials such as the Pope, and most importantly the cathedrals, which were strongly influenced by the virgin mother Mary. Chartres Cathedral in France is one as such; it is of high magnitude, known for its architecture, sculptures, stained glass windows and liturgical music, or plain chant, which was of the highest importance amongst the Christian people and their worship. During the time of the Middle Ages religion was of utmost importance. The Christian church was noted for saving the west and maintaining order throughout. Chartres Cathedral in France was built in place of an earlier Romanesque church from 1194 to 1260; it suited the religious needs and became the geographical center for the surrounding area. The Cathedral was seen as "the loftiest expression of the medieval period it held in these miracles of soaring stone- the crystallized expressions of community effort, religious exaltation, and emotional and intellectual forces of the people who created them." (Fleming 199) Cathedral de Notre Dame de Cha
The most important aspect in the worship of any religion is the liturgy, however the most valued artistic contribution would be the music. Plain chant the music of the Middle Ages and of the early Christian church was one of the disciplines which contributed to the greatness of Chartres Cathedral. The chant was not used as entertainment, but as a practical form of religious worship. Sculptures, painting, architecture and stained glass also contributed to the religious magnificence of Chartres. These disciplines depicted the Virgin Mary, Christ, saints, and other important figures and values of the Middle Ages, throughout the entirety of the Cathedral. Chartres Cathedral incorporated the religious enthusiasm and craftsmanship of patrons of the local guild as well as royalty and community members. Examples of this religious devotion in the form of art can be seen through numerous disciplines throughout the cathedral. The first example is illumination. This consists of elaborately colored illustrations that decorate manuscripts, often created by monks of the church. Theatre in the form of plays or speeches took place in the Cathedral, and consisted of popular religious themes like miracles or the Virgin Mary. Literature was read in a performance style for the many that could not read. It consisted of epic poems, novels, or myths and tales of hero's, that were all prompted by religious enthusiasm. An art of extraordinary beauty, which lined the walls of all Cathedrals, was the stained glass window. This technique of intricately placed coloured glass allowed a glowing God- like light to enter the Cathedral and shine religious subjects on the worshippers. Chartres contains over one hundred and seventy windows, including the most famous rose windows, and over forty different depictions of the Virgin Mary. These magnificent
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Approximate Word count = 1238
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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