The style of Gothic Architecture described as Early English ( Lancet ) used during the period of 1200 - 1300 is characterised by the following elements:
What is Gothic Architecture? Characteristics of the Decorated Gothic Architecture
The style of Gothic Architecture described as Decorated used during the period of 1300 - 1400 is characterised by the following elements:
What is Gothic Architecture? Characteristics of Perpendicular Gothic Architecture
The style of Gothic Architecture described as Perpendicular, used during the period of 1400 - 1500, is characterised by the following elements:
The History of Gothic Architecture
The History of Gothic Architecture dates back to the 12th Century. This was an exciting time in Medieval European history. Many Knights had travelled to the Holy Land on Crusades. They had seen the magnificent solid fortresses of the Byzantine Empire and these massive buildings influenced and revolutionised castle building ideas, engineering and architecture. The new, Gothic Style of architecture and decoration emerged in France. It was initially simply called “The French Style”. The views expressed during the Renaissance period of history led to a different name for the style of architecture - Gothic. Appalled at the abandonment of classical Romanesque lines and proportion it was derisively called “Gothic”. This title alluded to the Barbaric Goths, or Visigoths, who, led by their leader Alaric sacked Rome in 410AD which ultimately led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Gothic Castle Architecture
The castles built to the design of Norman Romanesque architecture had many problems in terms of defence.
The weaknesses of the early Norman style of Castle Architecture had to be addressed. Enter Gothic Castles Architecture and the Concentric Castles!
Edwardian Gothic Architecture - Concentric Castles!
The magnificent Medieval Castles built by the Plantagenet King Edward I are excellent examples of the early Gothic style of Castle Architecture. King Edward I employed the services of the best architect and builder of this era of the Middle Ages called Master James of St George. The style of Gothic Architecture of the Medieval era is demonstrated in the innovative design of the Concentric Castles. A good description of a Concentric Castle is “a Castle within a Castle”. The concentric castle is effectively lots of buildings, walls, towers and gatehouses in one massive castle complex built within in successive lines of defence. Concentric Castles provided great vehicles for examples of early Gothic architecture!
Gothic Architecture - The Gothic Arch
The Medieval Gothic Arch was a major feature of the architecture of the Middle Ages. The Gothic architects and builders discovered the amazing strength and stability of using pointed arches. The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than the walls. The use of the Gothic arch gave the builders tremendous flexibility. The arch could not only support greater weights but could also could span greater distances, allowing vaults to be taller and wider. Thinner walls had wider window openings which encouraged the use of stained glass and the magnificent Gothic Rose Windows.
The definition of an arch is as follows:
The Gothic pointed arch styles included diagonal, longitudinal and transverse arch. A transverse arch was a supporting arch which ran across the vault from side to side, dividing the bays.
Gothic Architecture - Gargoyles!
Gargoyles are a fascinating element of Gothic Architecture. These frightening sculptures are most often associated with Medieval Churches and Cathedrals but they were also used to great effect in English Gothic castles. Gargoyles are frightening and intimidating sculptures - perfect for the likes of great Lords and Kings who built elaborate fortresses and castles in order to crush and intimidate the indigenous population.
The origins of the word ‘gargoyle’ are derived from the old French word ‘gargouille’ meaning throat. Gargoyles came into gothic architecture in the early 13th century and are defined as “a waterspout, projecting from an upper part of a building to throw water clear of walls or foundations.”
The number of Gargoyles added to castles were numerous as dividing the flow of water minimized potential water damage. The materials used for early Gothic gargoyles were stone but the later gargoyles, especially in churches, were predominantly limestone and marble, although metals such as lead were used in fashioning some gargoyles. Stone masons had free choice of their gargoyles should depict or look like. It is an interesting fact that there is no two gargoyles which are exactly the same!
Gothic Architecture - Defining Features
Gothic Architecture can be defined as having the following features: