Gothic Architecture

Gothic Gothic ArchitectureArchitecture

Architectural HistoryArchitectural History

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Doris KempDoris Kemp

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Gothic Architecture in EnglandGothic Architecture in England Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral Salisbury CathedralSalisbury Cathedral Lincoln CathedralLincoln Cathedral King’s College, CambridgeKing’s College, Cambridge Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey

Gothic Architecture in Gothic Architecture in EnglandEngland

Although Gothic architecture originated Although Gothic architecture originated in France, it spread throughout Europein France, it spread throughout Europe

Became the predominant style through Became the predominant style through the 15the 15thth century century

The English would soon form their own The English would soon form their own Gothic aestheticsGothic aesthetics Within a century they had created Gothic Within a century they had created Gothic

churches that varied considerably from churches that varied considerably from those in Francethose in France


Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral First Gothic style church in EnglandFirst Gothic style church in England The choir was originally intended to The choir was originally intended to

house England’s most popular shrinehouse England’s most popular shrine Thomas BecketThomas Becket

Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered by Archbishop of Canterbury who was murdered by Henry VIII’s menHenry VIII’s men

Became a sacred pilgrimage siteBecame a sacred pilgrimage site Belief that miracles were performed at the Belief that miracles were performed at the

tomb of St. Thomastomb of St. Thomas


Photo: Sullivan


Salisbury CathedralSalisbury Cathedral Presents the rare example of an English Presents the rare example of an English

Gothic cathedral built almost entirely in Gothic cathedral built almost entirely in homogenous style (purely English)homogenous style (purely English)

Begun in 1220 and finished by 1258Begun in 1220 and finished by 1258 Incorporates features from monastic Incorporates features from monastic

plans into a purely English long angular plans into a purely English long angular buildingbuilding

Features a tower rising some 404-ft and Features a tower rising some 404-ft and a spire providing vertical emphasisa spire providing vertical emphasis


Photo: Sullivan


Lincoln CathedralLincoln Cathedral Had a more complicated building historyHad a more complicated building history

Originally a Norman church that was destroyed Originally a Norman church that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1185by an earthquake in 1185

The original survives only in lower portions of the The original survives only in lower portions of the western frontwestern front

Rebuilding began in 1192 and was completed in Rebuilding began in 1192 and was completed in 12801280

The Angel ChoirThe Angel Choir Wealth of elaborate trim in the form of Purbeck Wealth of elaborate trim in the form of Purbeck

marble shafts, stiff-leaf capitols, and sculpted marble shafts, stiff-leaf capitols, and sculpted angelsangels


Photo: Sullivan


Wells CathedralWells Cathedral Widely regarded as one of the finest Widely regarded as one of the finest

English cathedralsEnglish cathedrals Also one of the first English Gothic buildingsAlso one of the first English Gothic buildings

Dates back to at least 1186 and possibly a Dates back to at least 1186 and possibly a decade earlierdecade earlier

To strengthen the lower piers, scissor-To strengthen the lower piers, scissor-shaped arches were built in 1338shaped arches were built in 1338

Modest structureModest structure Vaults are only 67-ft highVaults are only 67-ft high


Photo: Sullivan


Cathedral Chapterhouse, SouthwellCathedral Chapterhouse, Southwell Contains some of the finest carvings of Contains some of the finest carvings of

the English Gothic periodthe English Gothic period Built around 1290Built around 1290 Plants from the surrounding Plants from the surrounding

countryside were used as a model for countryside were used as a model for much of the decorative work much of the decorative work


Photo: Sullivan


Ely CathedralEly Cathedral Large scale structure built of timberLarge scale structure built of timber One of the few Christian churches in One of the few Christian churches in

existence were Christ is depicted existence were Christ is depicted without a beardwithout a beard

In 1322, due to structural problems, the In 1322, due to structural problems, the tower was replaced with a wooden tower was replaced with a wooden lantern lantern Increased the lighting and usable space at Increased the lighting and usable space at

the heightsthe heights


Photo: Sullivan


King’s College, CambridgeKing’s College, Cambridge Began about 1446 and finished 1515Began about 1446 and finished 1515 Built in a time were the sermon served Built in a time were the sermon served

as an important part of church serviceas an important part of church service Built on a simpler plan and smaller area to Built on a simpler plan and smaller area to

reduce reverberation time so that speech reduce reverberation time so that speech could be understoodcould be understood

Basically rectangular in planBasically rectangular in plan Features perpendicular tracery in the large Features perpendicular tracery in the large

windows and majestic fan vaults overheadwindows and majestic fan vaults overhead


King’s College, CambridgeKing’s College, Cambridge The ornate organ loft atop the choir The ornate organ loft atop the choir

divides the space into two partsdivides the space into two parts One for townspeopleOne for townspeople One for studentsOne for students

Similar style to the High Renaissance Similar style to the High Renaissance Period in Northern ItalyPeriod in Northern Italy


Photo: Sullivan


Westminster Westminster AbbeyAbbey Building begun in Building begun in

12451245 Located in LondonLocated in London

Photo: Sullivan


Photo: Sullivan

ReferencesReferences Sullivan, Mary; Sullivan, Mary;

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/

wdpt1.htmlwdpt1.html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From

Prehistory to PostmodernityPrehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western

ArchitectureArchitecture

Gothic Gothic ArchitectureArchitecture

Architectural HistoryArchitectural History

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Doris KempDoris Kemp

Gothic Architecture

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