Gothic Cathedrals

A detailed Summary of Gothic Cathedrals

"Derived from the Latin word cathedra, meaning "throne," the cathedral signifies the seat of the bishop at the center of the diocese. Worthy of their administrative role, such buildings were usually quite grand, situated on hallowed sites, and replete with symbolic elements" (Humanities, Nov/Dec95, Vol. 16 Issue 6).

When viewing a cathedral, one tends to see them as magnificent, sometimes stark monuments erected to worship God in a grand setting. This was indeed a major purpose of the cathedral. It is easy to overlook other functions and aspects of cathedral life which, to the fourteenth century mind would be almost as important. Cathedrals trained and educated junior clergy, they housed and accommodated pilgrims and other important visitors, they had complex financial relationships with their other cities in which they stood, they were centers of excellence for craftsmen and inspired innovation. "The cathedral reveals medieval symbolism, technology, theology, and knowledge, and reflects the changing political, social, and economic forces and conflicts surrounding its construction" (Humanities, Nov/Dec95, Vol. 16 Issue 6).

Socially and politically, the cathedral played an important role both within itself, as a school for junior

min, and ending with Christ and the twelve apostles. For those sculptures the cathedral has been given the name of "a Bible in stone".

There was a passion for building in middle ages it covered the France with monuments. Building of cathedrals was one of the main devotions in the middle ages, those huge structures were built in major cities reflecting the fact of the power of that city and the greatness of that period in the life of the city. The building of the cathedral went for many years, constantly adding new structures.

Yet another great example of the cathedrals of that period is the Notre-Dame of Chartres cathedral. The building of the cathedral that is in place today began in 1195 and went on for 30 years, however some parts of the cathedral are the remains of the cathedral that was on its place before and was destroyed by the fire in 1194. The building was actually the reconstruction as it was approached at that time. Parts of the cathedral where build in the later periods. Stained glass windows was the big part of the cathedral, it gave the interior unforgettable look with the dim lights of different colors. Furthermore at Chartres largest amount of the thirteen's century windows survived, windows "...tell of the mirades and good works of the saints, and of the virtues of fortitude and perseverance through adversity and even martyrdom" (Humanities, Nov/Dec95, Vol. 16 Issue 6).

2. BUILDING CHARTRES, Avrich, Jane, Harper's Magazine, May2000, Vol. 300 Issue 1800

3. NOTRE-DAME OF PARIS AND THE ANTICIPATION OF GOTHIC, Murray, Stephen, Art Bulletin, Mar98, Vol. 80 Issue 2

Most prominent examples of the gothic cathedrals would be: Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres(, and Notre-Dame d'Amiens. Notre-Dame d'Amiens is the largest cathedral in France it is double that size of the Notre-Dame de Paris! It is also thought to be one of the best examples of Rayonnant style of gothic architecture. Even though it is big, "... it does not give any impression of be

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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