Gothic Architecture

The style of architecture we now call Gothic first emerged in northern France in around 1140. It evolved during the construction of great churches in the Paris region in a move towards greater height, light and volume. Later it was also used for secular buildings such as castles, palaces, bridges, city walls and gates. Key features include the pointed arch, the rib vault, buttresses (especially arched flying buttresses) and window tracery. Over time and across Europe, Gothic developed into a family of related styles.

Enthusiasm for Gothic began to wane in the early 15th century, initially in the city states of central Italy where it had never been entirely popular. However, in northern Europe the style persisted into the 16th century and beyond.

Early Gothic in England

The new Gothic style emerging in France was rapidly taken up in England. It was used in two highly important buildings: Canterbury Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations took place. English Gothic buildings often include plant decoration, adding to the tree-like effect of the interiors. At York Minster, the stone 'pendants' suspended from the canopies above the seats in the walls of the chapter house are carved with botanically accurate leaves that seem to burst into life.

In the later Middle Ages, creativity in Gothic architecture shifted from cathedrals to parish churches. Many small churches serving local communities were built according to the latest fashion or refurbished in the style. Parish churches across Europe still display the great variety and inventiveness of medieval architects and stonemasons working within a shared family of Gothic styles.

York Minster Chapter House, York, Yorkshire, England, UK, begun about 1260. Photograph © f0rbe5 on flickr

Ref: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/g/gothic-architecture/

Exterior view of St Peter Dunchurch, Warwickshire, England, UK, photograph by Sir Benjamin Stone, 1899. Museum no. E5491-2000. © Victoria & Albert Museum, London