What Significant Change Took Place In The Abbey Church Of Saint-denis?

Gothic Compages: The Abbey Church of Saint Denis

The Abbey Church of Saint Denis is known every bit the first Gothic structure and was developed in the 12th century past Abbot Suger.

Learning Objectives

Illustrate a timeline of the cosmos of the Abbey Church of Saint Denis

Key Takeaways

Key Points

The Abbey Church of Saint Denis provided an architectural model for cathedrals and abbeys of northern France, England, and other European countries.
In the twelfth century, Abbot Suger rebuilt portions of the church using innovative structural and decorative features that were fatigued from a number of sources, resulting in the first truly Gothic building.
The two architects who worked under Abbot Suger'south management remain uncredited, identified just by their unique stylistic contributions.

Key Terms

Abbey Church of Saint Denis: The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis is a big medieval abbey church building in the commune of Saint Denis, renowned for its Gothic architecture.
Rayonnant Gothic: The flow of French Gothic architecture between c. 1240 and 1350, characterized past a shift in focus away from the Loftier Gothic mode of great scale toward a greater concern for two dimensional surfaces and the repetition of decorative motifs at different scales.
convalescent: The round walkway encircling the altar in many cathedrals.
Romanesque: European architecture containing both Roman and Byzantine elements; sometimes applied to the debased manner of the later Roman Empire, but especially to the more developed compages prevailing from the eighth to the 12th centuries.

The Abbey Church of Saint Denis, too known every bit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Denis, is a big medieval abbey church in the district of Saint Denis, now a northern suburb of Paris. This site originated as a Gallo-Roman cemetery in late Roman times. Around 475 CE, St. Genevieve established a church at this site. In the seven^th century, this construction was replaced by a much grander construction, on the orders of Dagobert I, Male monarch of the Franks.

The Basilica of Saint Denis is an architectural landmark, the start major structure of which a substantial part was designed and congenital in the Gothic style . Both stylistically and structurally, information technology heralded the modify from Romanesque architecture to Gothic architecture . Before the term "Gothic" came into mutual apply, it was known as the "French Style."

Saint Denis is a patron saint of French republic and, according to fable, was the first Bishop of Paris. Legend says that he was decapitated on the Hill of Montmartre and later carried his head to the site of the electric current church, indicating where he wanted to be buried.

Sculpture of decapitated Saint Denis, holding his head in his hands.

Saint Denis, from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris: Saint Denis was martyred in connection with the Decian persecution of Christians, shortly later CE 250.

Dagobert I refounded the church as the Abbey of Saint Denis, a Benedictine monastery. Dagobert also deputed a new shrine to firm the saint's remains; it was created by his chief counselor, Eligius, a goldsmith by grooming.

Dagobert's tomb is shown elaborately decorated.

Tomb of Dagobert I: Dagobert's tomb was improved during the 13th century at the Basilica of Saint Denis.

Abbot Suger

Abbot Suger (circa 1081-1151), Abbot of Saint Denis from 1122 and a friend and confidant of French kings, had been given the abbey as an oblate at the age of 10 and began work effectually 1135 on rebuilding and enlarging it.

Suger was the patron of the rebuilding of Saint Denis, but not the builder, as was often causeless in the 19th and early on 20th centuries. In fact information technology appears that two singled-out architects, or master masons, were involved in the 12th century changes. Both remain bearding, just their work tin be distinguished stylistically. The outset, who was responsible for the initial piece of work at the western terminate, favored conventional Romanesque capitals and molding profiles with rich and individualized detailing. His successor, who completed the western facade and upper stories of the narthex before going on to build the new choir , displayed a more restrained arroyo to decorative furnishings, relying on a simple repertoire of motifs , which may have proved more than suitable for the lighter Gothic style that he helped to create.

Suger's western extension was completed in 1140 and the three new chapels in the narthex were consecrated on June 9^thursday of that year. On completion of the west front, Abbot Suger moved on to the reconstruction of the eastern finish. He wanted a choir (chancel) that would be suffused with light. To achieve his aims, Suger's masons drew on the new elements that had evolved or been introduced to Romanesque architecture: the pointed arch , the ribbed vault , the ambulatory with radiating chapels, the clustered columns supporting ribs springing in unlike directions, and the flying buttresses , which enabled the insertion of large clerestory windows. This was the first time that these features had all been brought together. The new structure was finished and dedicated on June 11^th of 1144, in the presence of the King.

Abbey Church of Saint Denis: This is the w facade of the Basilica of Saint Denis, showcasing the distinct features of Romanesque architecture.

Thus, the Abbey of Saint Denis became the paradigm for farther edifice in the royal domain of northern France. Through the dominion of the Angevin dynasty , the style was introduced to England and spread throughout France, the Depression Countries, Frg, Spain, northern Italy, and Sicily.

The dark Romanesque nave , with its thick walls and small window openings, was rebuilt using the latest techniques, in what is at present known as Gothic. This new way, which differed from Suger's earlier works as much as they had differed from their Romanesque precursors , reduced the wall expanse to an accented minimum. Solid masonry was replaced with vast window openings filled with bright stained glass and interrupted only by the about slender of bar tracery—not just in the clerestory but besides, peradventure for the first time, in the usually dark triforium level. The upper facades of the two much-enlarged transepts were filled with ii spectacular rose windows . As with Suger's earlier rebuilding work, the identity of the architect or master mason is unknown.

The abbey is frequently referred to equally the "royal necropolis of France" every bit it is the site where the kings of France and their families were buried for centuries. All only 3 of the monarchs of France from the 10th century until 1789 take their remains here. The effigies of many of the kings and queens are on their tombs, only during the French Revolution , those tombs were opened and the bodies were moved to mass graves.

Gothic Architecture: La Saint-Chapelle

Louis 9'south patronage of the arts collection much innovation in Gothic art and compages, exemplified by his commission of La Saint-Chappelle, an case of Rayonnant Gothic architecture.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the innovations in Gothic art and architecture seen in La Saint-Chappelle

Key Takeaways

Fundamental Points

Louis 9 established the Gothic chapel Sainte-Chapelle to business firm his collection of Christian relics in the mid-13th century.
Louis 9's artistic and architectural patronage was both innovative and highly influential among European royalty.
Louis 9 was made a saint in 1297, and remains the merely French monarch to take been canonized.
Sainte-Chapelle epitomized the Rayonnant Gothic style of compages.

Central Terms

Rayonnant Gothic: The menstruum of French Gothic architecture between c. 1240 and 1350, characterized by a shift in focus away from the High Gothic fashion of great scale and meridian toward a greater business for two dimensional surfaces and the repetition of decorative motifs at unlike scales. Rayonnant structures tend to exist smaller than Loftier Gothic Cathedrals. This manner is also known as Court Style.
Sainte-Chapelle: A chapel in the courtyard of the majestic palace on the Île de la Cité, congenital to house Louis IX'south collection of Holy relics.

Louis IX ruled during the so-called "golden century of Saint Louis," when the Kingdom of France was at its height of power in Europe, both politically and economically. The king of France was regarded as a primus inter pares amid the kings and rulers of the continent. He commanded the largest army, and ruled the largest and virtually wealthy kingdom of Europe, which was the European center of arts and intellectual thought (La Sorbonne) at the time. The prestige and respect for Rex Louis Ix resulted more from his benevolent personality than from his military domination. For his contemporaries, he was the quintessential instance of the Christian prince, and embodied the whole of Christendom in his person. The King was later recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Bust depicts Louis IX from the side with long hair and a crown.

Bosom of St. Louis, ca. 1300 from the church of Mainneville, Eure, France: Louis Ix, or Saint Louis, was a revered leader and strong patron of the arts during the Gothic period.

The way of Louis' court radiated throughout Europe through the purchase of fine art objects from Parisian masters for export and by the spousal relationship of the King's daughters and female person relatives to foreign husbands. Louis' personal chapel, La Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, was copied more than in one case by his descendants elsewhere.

The ceiling is richly colored and decorated. The prominent design is gold fleur de lys on a blue background.

Sainte-Chapelle, ceiling of the lower chapel: Saint Louis' Sainte-Chapelle epitomizes the Rayonnant Gothic style as was King Louis IX's personal chapel.

La Sainte-Chapelle (The Holy Chapel) is one of the only surviving buildings of the Capetian royal palace on the Île de la Cité in the middle of Paris, France. It was deputed by King Louis Nine of France to house his collection of relics of the passion, including the Crown of Thorns—ane of the nigh important relics in medieval Christendom. Begun some time afterwards 1239 and consecrated on April 26, 1248, the Sainte-Chapelle is considered amidst the highest achievements of the Rayonnant menses of Gothic architecture . Although damaged during the French revolution and heavily restored in the xix^th century, it retains 1 of the near extensive in-situ collections (collections that are still in their original positions) of 13^thursday century stained glass anywhere in the earth. The glass depicts stories from the Former Testament and focuses heavily on the depictions of biblical kings, both skilful and bad. Scholars believe the inclusion of "bad" kings, along with the skilful, were meant as a lesson for the royal viewer to learn from both good and bad examples of rulership.

La Sainte-Chapelle is a prime example of the phase of Gothic architectural style called "Rayonnant Gothic," also known as Courtroom Fashion, and is marked by its sense of weightlessness and strong vertical accent. Rayonnant structures tend to be smaller than the High Gothic Cathedrals that came before them. La Sainte-Chapelle stands squarely upon a lower chapel, which served as parish church for all the inhabitants of the palace, which was the seat of government. However, the chapel proper was a private imperial chapel and scholars take noted how the structure almost looks similar metalwork , equally if the chapel itself is a reliquary .

English Gothic Compages

English Gothic architecture (c. 1180–1520) is defined by pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires.

Learning Objectives

Define the characteristics and item styles of English Gothic compages

Central Takeaways

Key Points

The Gothic style originated in French republic with the choir of the Basilique Saint-Denis, built past Abbot Suger and dedicated in June 1144.
The lancet , a pointed curvation , was the almost crucial development of the Early Gothic period (c. 1180–1250), resulting in graceful buildings with thinner walls and more light.
While French Gothic Cathedrals were built to exist increasingly tall, English Gothic Cathedrals tended to emphasize the length of the building rather than the height.
The Busy Gothic Period (c. 1250–1350) is subdivided into the earlier Geometric Period and subsequently Curvilinear Period, differentiated by styles of window tracery .
Known for emphasizing vertical lines , the austerity of the Perpendicular Gothic Menstruum was a response to the pandemic Black Decease , which emerged in England in 1348.

Key Terms

Decorated Gothic Menstruation: A proper noun given specifically to a division of English Gothic architecture, which was cleaved into two periods: the Geometric style (1250–1290) and the Curvilinear style (1290–1350).
choir: The part of a church where the singing grouping assembles for song.
Early on English Gothic Period:A catamenia in the late 12th century, characterized past pointed arches, that superseded the Romanesque style.

Gothic architecture flourished in England from approximately 1180 to 1520. This style is divers past pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses , large windows, and spires . The Gothic style was first developed in France, where the various elements had first been used together within a unmarried building at the choir of the Basilique Saint-Denis north of Paris, built by Abbot Suger and dedicated in June 1144. The English language adopted the Gothic mode, however, they adjusted it to their ain regional preferences. While French Gothic Cathedrals were congenital to exist increasingly tall, English language Gothic Cathedrals tended to emphasize the length of the building rather than the top.

Wells Cathedral, Somerset, England: This Cathedral showcases characteristics of Gothic architecture with the pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires, but emphasizes the length of the building, rather than the height.

Many of the largest and finest works of English architecture, notably the medieval cathedrals of England, are largely congenital in the Gothic fashion. The primeval large-scale applications of Gothic architecture in England are at Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey . Castles, palaces, great houses, universities, parish churches, and many smaller unpretentious secular buildings, including almshouses and trade halls, were also congenital in this fashion.

Early on English Gothic Menstruum

The Early English language Gothic period lasted from the late 12th century until midway through the 13th century, according to almost modern scholars. By 1175, the Gothic manner had been firmly established in England with the completion of the Choir at Canterbury Cathedral by William of Sens.

The well-nigh significant characteristic development of the Early English language period was the pointed arch known equally the lancet. Compared with the rounded Romanesque style, the pointed arch of the Early on English Gothic is aesthetically more elegant and is more than efficient at distributing the weight of stonework, making it possible to span higher and wider gaps using narrower columns . It also allows for much greater variation in proportions.

Using the pointed arch, walls could get less massive and window openings could be larger and grouped more than closely together, so architects could achieve more open, blusterous, and graceful buildings. At its purest, the style was elementary and ascetic, emphasizing the elevation of the building, as if aspiring heavenward. In the belatedly twelfth century the Early English Gothic fashion superseded the Romanesque style, and during the late 13th century it developed into the Decorated Gothic manner, which lasted until the mid 14th century.

Decorated Gothic Period

The Decorated period in compages is traditionally broken into two periods: the Geometric mode (1250–1290) and the Curvilinear style (1290–1350). Decorated architecture is characterized by its window tracery, which are elaborate patterns that fill the top portions of windows. The tracery style was geometric at get-go, and flowing in the after menstruation during the 14th century. Vaulting besides became more elaborate, with the apply of increasing numbers of ribs , initially for structural and later for aesthetic reasons.

Examples of the Busy fashion can be found in many British churches and cathedrals. Primary examples are the eastward ends of Lincoln Cathedral and of Carlisle Cathedral and the west fronts of York Minster and of Lichfield Cathedral.

York Minster Cathedral: The westward front of York Minster Cathedral is a fine example of Decorated architecture, in particular the elaborate tracery on the primary window. This period saw detailed etching accomplish its meridian, with elaborately carved windows and capitals, oft with floral patterns.

Perpendicular Gothic Period

The Perpendicular Gothic period is the tertiary historical partitioning of English language Gothic architecture, and is characterized by an emphasis on vertical lines. The Perpendicular style began under the royal architects William Ramsey and John Sponlee, and lasted into the mid 16th century.

The Perpendicular style grew out of the shadow of the Blackness Decease, a disease that killed approximately half of England's population in 18 months between June 1348 and December 1349 and returned in 1361–62 to impale another fifth of the population. This epidemic dramatically impacted every attribute of society, including arts and culture , and designers moved away from the flamboyance and jubilation present in the Decorated style. Architects were also responding to labor shortages resulting from the plague, and therefore relied on less elaborate designs.

Perpendicular linearity is particularly obvious in the blueprint of windows, which became immense, allowing greater scope for stained glass craftsmen. Some of the finest features of this period are the magnificent timber roofs: hammerbeam roofs, such equally those of Westminster Hall (1395), Christ Church Hall, Oxford, and Crosby Hall, appeared for the first time. Gothic architecture connected to flourish in England for 100 years after the precepts of Renaissance architecture were formalized in Florence in the early on 15th century.

Gloucester Cathedral: The Gloucester Cathedral exemplifies the Perpendicular Gothic Menstruation. The interior conveys an impression of a "cage" of stone and drinking glass, typical of the period. The walls and windows are sharper and less flamboyant than those of the before style.

German Gothic Compages

Gothic architecture flourished during the high and tardily medieval menstruum in the Holy Roman Empire, from approximately 1140–1400.

Learning Objectives

Summarize the principal features of German Gothic architecture

Key Takeaways

Fundamental Points

The Gothic style first developed in French republic. Territories that found mod day Frg adopted the French Gothic and developed regional distinctions to this style.
Brick Gothic is a style of Gothic architecture common in Northern Europe, especially in Northern Germany and the regions around the Baltic Bounding main without natural rock resources where the buildings are built, more or less, using only bricks.
Hall churches are another distinctively High german adaptation to the French Gothic style.

Key Terms

nave: The middle or body of a church, extending from the transepts to the principal entrances.
Middle Ages: The period of time in Europe between the decline of the Roman Empire and the revival of letters (the Renaissance) or, according to Henry Hallam, the menstruation outset with the 6th and catastrophe with the fifteenth century.
spire: A tapering construction congenital on a roof or tower, especially equally one of the central architectural features of a church or cathedral roof.

Gothic architecture flourished during the loftier and belatedly medieval menses in the Holy Roman Empire, from approximately 1140–1400. The Gothic style outset developed in France. Territories that constitute modern mean solar day Germany adopted the French Gothic and developed regional distinctions to this style.

German Gothic compages is notable for its enormous towers and spires . Sometimes they were and then big that they were left unfinished until modern times. The spires are quite dissimilar than English spires considering they are fabricated of lacy "openwork." At that place are also many hallenkirke (or hall churches), which have no clerestorey windows. The nave and the aisles are about the aforementioned summit.

Freiburg Cathedral was built in three stages, the first get-go in 1120 under the Dukes of Zahringen, the 2d beginning in 1210, and the third in 1230. Of the original building, merely the foundations even so exist. It is particularly notable for its 116-meter belfry, which is nigh square at the base , and the dodecagonal star gallery at its center. In a higher place this gallery, the belfry is octagonal and tapered, with the spire at the summit. It is the but Gothic church belfry in Germany completed in the Middle Ages (1330) that survived the November 1944 bombing raids that destroyed all of the houses on the due west and north side of the market.

Freiburg Cathedral: View of the Freiburg Cathedral in Germany

Cologne Cathedral is, after Milan Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the earth. Construction began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to consummate—a menses of over 600 years. It is 144.5 metres long, 86.5 m broad, and its two towers are 157 chiliad tall. Because of its enormous twin spires, it also has the largest façade of any church in the world. The choir of the cathedral, measured between the piers , likewise holds the stardom of having the largest height to width ratio of whatsoever Medieval church.

Exterior view of the Cologne Cathedral with the two spires clearly visible.

Cologne Cathedral: The Cologne Cathedral is an example of High german Gothic architecture.

The edifice of Gothic churches was accompanied by the construction of guild houses and town halls past the ascent bourgeoisie. Examples are the Gothic Boondocks Hall (xiii^thursday century) at Stralsund, Bremen Town Hall (1410), and the (reconstructed) city hall of Munster (originally from 1350).

The dwellings of this menstruum were mainly timber-framed buildings, as can still be seen in Goslar and Quedlinburg. Quedlinburg has one of the oldest half-timbered houses in Federal republic of germany. The method of construction, used extensively for town houses of the Medieval and Renaissance periods, lasted into the twentieth century for rural buildings.

Brick Gothic

Brick Gothic (Backsteingotik) is a specific style of Gothic architecture common in Northern Europe, especially in Northern Germany and the regions around the Baltic Sea that lack natural rock resource. The structures are built, more or less, using just bricks. Stralsund Urban center Hall and St. Nicholas Church are examples of this style. Cities such as Lubeck, Rostock, Wismar, Stralsund, and Greifswald are shaped past this regional style. St. Mary'due south in Lübeck, built between 1200 and 1350, was a model for many North German churches.

Hall Churches

Hall churches are another example of German Gothic architecture that is distinct from French Gothic. In hall churches, the aisles and nave are virtually the same meridian and the stained glass windows are typically the full height of the walls, allowing in maximum lite and space .

Interior view of a Hall church.

Munich Frauenkirche, Bavaria: Hall churches are a distinctively German language interpretation of the Gothic manner.