ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
Vocabulary
Raison d’être
High Gothic
Backwater
West façade (of a cathedral)
Chapter I: The Isle Rises
1. What is the Marian Cult?
2. What is the Sancta Camisa? What is its history and description? What powers is it believed to
have?
3. What role did sacred relics play in the medieval church?
4. What was located underneath the cathedral of Chartres?
5. Who had more power, the idea of the miracles of the Virgin, or the bishops and priests?
6. What happened in 1259 at Chartres Cathedral?
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
7. What effect did the sacred camisa have on the town and business of Chartres?
8. What were the problems and social development that shaped France during the eleventh and
twelfth centuries?
9. How did kings see themselves in this time? What did they do to shape their public image?
10. What was the difference between Romanesque and Gothic in how the styles related to their
context?
11. What happened to towns with the decline of the Roman Empire?
12. What happened to the population of France during this time? How was European society
reshaped and transformed?
13. What is the early name for the town of Chartres? What was here that gave it sacred importance
around 100BC?
14. Describe the earliest churches on the site of Chartres Cathedral.
15. Who sacked the cathedral in 743?
16. What happened in 858 and later in 911? What was important about the attack of 911?
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
17. What happened in 1119?
18. What happened in 1020? Who rebuilt the church? Who funded the rebuilding of the cathedral?
19. Who was the architect? What did he do?
20. What happened in 1037?
21. What type of Gothic is Chartres?
22. What were the four great fairs the town of Chartres hosted based around the cathedral?
23. What was the style of the West façade under Geoffrey de Lèves?
24. What happened in 1194? What did the residents of Chartres believe had caused the fire?
25. How much damage did the fire do?
26. What happened on the third day after the fire? What did Renaud of Moucon do? What was
their story related to the tunic and the fire?
27. What did William the Breton say was the reason for the fire?
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
Chapter II: A Change of Style
Vocabulary
Transmontani: people across the mountains
Volkerwanderung: Wandering people
Define the following words. Also create a drawing of the plan of a church showing these vocabulary
words:
Cruciform
Nave
Aisles
Arcade
Bays
Narthex
Transept
Crossing
Rood Screen or Jubé
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
Define the following vocabulary words and create a drawing showing their position in the Gothic wall
and roof structure:
Pinnacle
Flying buttress
Aisle
Nave Pier
Triforium
Tribune
Buttress
Clerestry
Springing
Vaulting
Transverse rib
Diagonal Rib
Boss
Spandrel
Capital
Arcade
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
1. What was the attitude of the Italians towards the northern part of Europe? How was
architecture affected after Rome’s demise according to Vasari?
2. What did Filarete say about the Gothic style?
3. When was Gothic architecture finally begun to be appreciated?
4. What role did Normandy play in developing the Gothic style?
5. What was the main goal of the Romanesque builders? How did this affect the appearance of
their architecture?
6. What was the goal of the Gothic builders? How did this affect the appearance of their
architecture?
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
The Transformation of Saint Denis
1. What was the important role of Saint Denis in relation to political power in France?
2. What was the condition of Abbot Suger’s church?
3. What did Abelard say about the church? What did Bernard of Clairvaux say?
4. Describe Abbot Suger’s character and personality. What happened in his life in 1090? What
friends did he make as a boy?
5. Why did Suger hold so much power? What was his role in military affairs?
6. What was Suger’s vision for France and its role in the greater Christian world?
Quick Work
1. What did Abbot Suger want for the construction of the cathedral of Saint Denis? What did he
achieve? When was the nave built?
ARCHI 157: History of World Architecture Middle Ages to 18th Century
Universe of Stone
2. Who is the architect of Saint Denis? Where did he get his architectural ideas from?
3. What was the opening day of the church like in 1144?
4. What were some of the negative reactions to Saint Denis?
So What is Gothic?
1. What are the characteristics of Gothic architecture according to Christopher Wilson? What did
Jean Bony say?
2. What did Hanz Jantzen say about Gothic architecture?
3. What did Paul Frankl believe was the origin of Gothic architecture?