ROMANESQUE
EUROPE
GARDNER CHAPTER 17-4
PP. 453-458
NORMANDY AND ENGLAND ARCHITECTURE

Vikings convert to Christianity in
early 10th century -> settle on N.
coast of France in present-day
Normandy

The Normans were
1. aggressive warriors
2. skilled administrators
3. builders
SAINT-ETIENNE, CAEN

West façade of Saint-Etienne,
Caen, France, begun 1067

The masterpiece of Norman
Romanesque architecture ->
begun by William the Conqueror

West façade is a striking design in
the tradition of Carolingian and
Ottonian westworks -> 4 large
buttresses divide the façade into 3
bays

Towers display a triple division ->
spires are a later Gothic addition

Interior of Saint-Etienne, Caen,
France, vaulted ca. 1115-1120

Groin vaults made possible an
efficient clerestory

Three story elevation w/large
arched openings provides ample
light and makes the nave appear
taller than it is

Light and airy quality that is
unusual in the Romanesque period
DURHAM
CATHEDRAL

Interior of Durham Cathedral,
England, begun ca. 1093

William of Normandy/William the
Conqueror’s conquest of AngloSaxon England in 1066 began a
new epoch in English history

Interior and lateral section of
Durham Cathedral, ca. 1093

Several of the classroom scenes at
Hogwarts were filmed at Durham
Cathedral

Typically English in its long, slender
proportions -> in the nave, simple
pillars alternate w/compound piers
that support the transverse arches of
the 7-part groin vaults

First example of a ribbed groin vault
over a three-story nave -> quadrant
arches in the tribune
EMBROIDERY AND TAPESTRY

Funeral procession to
Westminster Abbey, detail from
the Bayeux Tapestry, from
Bayeux Cathedral, France, ca.
1070-1080, embroidered wool
on linen, 1’8” high -> entire
length is about 230 feet long

The most famous embroidery of
the Middle Ages is The Bayeux
Tapestry

EMBROIDERY = decorating
textiles by sewing in patterns
onto fabrics w/thread
BAYEUX TAPESTRY

11th century work of art that is
the Bayeux Tapestry, is a
band of material 70 m by 0.50
in linen embroidered with
colored wool

setting out in 58 scenes the
reasons and circumstances
surrounding the overseas
expedition of William the
Conqueror, Duke of
Normandy, and his army in
1066

This masterpiece, which is
unique in the world, was
probably commissioned by
Odo, half brother of William
and Bishop of Bayeux, to an
Anglo-Saxon workshop, to be
presented subsequently in the
nave of the city’s cathedral.
BAYEUX TAPESTRY

Edward the Confessor -> AngloSaxon king of England dies

William of Normandy -> Normans
believed Edward had named
William as rightful heir

Harold -> is named Anglo-Saxon
king of England

THE NORMAN CONQUEST ->
William invades England -> defeats
Harold at the Battle of Hastings
William rewarded his
supporters with land and
power. He is depicted in the
Bayeux Tapestry with his
half-brothers Odo, Bishop of
Bayeux and Robert of
Mortain. These two men
fought alongside him at the
Battle of Hastings. When the
King returned to Normandy
in 1067 he appointed Odo of
Bayeux as one of the two
people who would share the
position of regent in his
absence.
BURY BIBLE

Master Hugo, Moses expounding
the law, folio 94 recto of the Bury
Bible, England, ca. 1135, ink and
tempera on vellum

Master Hugo was a rare
Romanesque lay artist -> one of
the emerging class of professional
artists and artisans who depended
for their livelihood on commissions
from well-endowed monasteries
EADWINE PSALTER

EADWINE THE SCRIBE(?), Eadwine
the scribe at work, folio 283 verso
of the Eadwine Psalter, ca. 1160–
1170, Ink and tempera on vellum

Portrait represents a living man,
not sacred person -- emergence
of the artist

More naturalistic representation
marks a turning point in Medieval
representation towards
representational art of the
Renaissance.