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Durham Cathedral: A Norman Masterpiece

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
17 views9 pages

Durham Cathedral: A Norman Masterpiece

Uploaded by

Patrick Leandado
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

 Norman architecture = semicircular

arch, often combined with massive


cylindrical pillars
 styles of Romanesque architecture
developed by the Normans in the
various lands
DURHAM CATHEDRAL
 Who invented Norman
 stands proudly atop a hill overlooking architecture?
the River Wear in Durham, England 
 example of NORMAN ARCHITECTURE
 Its massive columns, rounded arches,
and the use of stone vaulting
 characterized by its robustness and
grandeur
 Norman architecture is a style of  Edward the Confessor
medieval architecture  What materials did Norman style
 the largest and finest example of architecture use?
Norman architecture in England.  Exterior walls are clad in brick,
 a site of religious worship and stone, stucco, shingle
pilgrimage for almost 900 years  How did the Normans advanced
 The cathedral also boasts a breathtaking architectural techniques?
west façade adorned with intricate The art of building castles was not a
stone carvings, depicting biblical stories Norman invention, but the Normans
and saints became masters in the use of the simple yet
enormously effective motte-and-bailey
castle—a mound (motte) topped by a
timber palisade and tower, surrounded by a
ditched and palisaded enclosure (bailey)

 made up of five main components


 The nave
 famous for two features: its carved
columns, and its vaulted ceiling= stone
ribs for support
 The use of stone 'ribs' forming pointed
arches to support the ceiling of the nave
was an important achievement, and
Durham Cathedral is the earliest known
example.
 One of the most distinctive features
inside Durham Cathedral is the carved
spiral columns= They help to identify
the nave as the oldest structure of the
cathedral
 acting as both physical supports for the
structure itself
 In addition to the columns, another
significant feature of Durham Cathedral
is its stained glass windows= Over the
centuries, the cathedral has been
restored and modified, and now
includes a variety of stained glass
 The ribs also help transfer
windows, most of which were added in
the 19th and 20th centuries. These the weight of the ceiling
windows depict a variety of biblical downwards towards to the
references, including scenes of Jesus walls, preventing structural
Christ and His disciples, the life of
Moses, and an abstract depiction of the
problems.
Last Supper.
 Cruciform Plan: Durham Cathedral
follows a cruciform plan, which means it
is shaped like a cross. The main body of
the cathedral consists of a long nave
with aisles, a transept crossing the nave
to form the shape of a cross, and an
eastern arm with an apse or choir. This
cruciform plan is a common feature in
many medieval cathedrals. Carved spiral columns
 Early Christian basilicas were typically
characterized by a rectangular plan, an
apse at one end, and a nave. While
Durham Cathedral doesn't directly
resemble an early Christian basilica

Stained galss
St. Albans Cathedral

 St. Albans Cathedral stands as a


testament to the evolution of
architectural styles across centuries,
reflecting the dynamic history of
England.
 The early structure was of Romanesque
design, characterized by thick walls,
rounded arches, and sturdy pillars
 Normans significantly contributed to its
construction, evident in the massive
tower and sections of the nave."
 The most striking feature of the new
church was the tower, built in part with
Roman tiles, and designed by Robert
Mason
Bristol cathedral

 Firstly, it was conceived as a "hall


church", meaning that the aisles are the
same height as the choir.
 , G. E. (George Edmun) Street designed
the nave along the same lines. The
effect of this elevation means that there
are no clerestory windows to light the
central space, as is usual in English
Medieval churches. The north and
south aisles employ a unique manner
where the vaults rest on tie beam style
bridges supported by pointed arches.
[35] All the internal light must come
from the aisle windows which are
accordingly very large.
 The "lierne" vaulting= Lierne vaulting,
on the other hand, includes extra
decorative ribs (lierne ribs) that connect
various points on the main structural
ribs of the vault. Lierne ribs do not
necessarily follow the structural logic of
the vault and are added for
ornamentation.
 Another feature of Bristol Cathedral is
the vaulting of its various medieval
spaces. The work that was carried out
under Abbot Knowle is unique in this
regard, with not one, but three unique
vaults
 Street designed an interior that
respected the delicate proportions of
the ribs and mouldings of the earlier
work, but did not imitate their patterns.
Street's nave is vaulted with a
conservative vault with tierceron ribs,
rising at the same pitch as the choir.
Carlisle Cathedral

 Norman architectural style with solid


masonry, large round piers, round
arches and smallish round headed
windows.
 = These features may still be seen in the
south transept and the remaining two
bays of the nave, which are now used as
the Chapel of the Border Regiment.
 The stone is the local red sandstone
 The choir is roofed by a fine wooden
barrel vault
 The most significant architectural
feature of Carlisle Cathedral is its East
Window.
Exeter Cathedral

 properly known as the Cathedral Church


of Saint Peter in Exeter
 remains of the Norman building can be
seen in the massive transept towers.
 The architecture of Exeter Cathedral at
first appears remarkably harmonious triforium is an interior
with the continuous run of tierceron gallery, opening onto the tall central space of a
vaults extending from west to east. building at an upper level.
 More detailed analysis nevertheless
reveals a number of changes, including
the decision to adopt a three-storey
facade with a triforium more typical of
cathedrals than the previous two-storey
design

Cathedral ground plan. The shaded area is the


transept; the darker shading at the centre
represents the crossing.

 A transept (with two semitransepts) is a


transverse part of any building, which
lies across the main body of the
building.

a lierne is a tertiary rib connecting one rib to


another, as opposed to connecting to a springer,
or to the central boss.

Rochester Cathedral
 Throughout the centuries, Rochester
Cathedral underwent various
transformations, reflecting the evolving
architectural styles and influences of
different eras. The Norman conquest in
1066 brought about significant changes,
leading to the construction of the
cathedral we see today
 Under the Normans, the cathedral
underwent a remarkable reconstruction
phase, showcasing the distinctive
Norman architectural style. One of the
most notable features is the majestic
Norman tower, a symbol of strength
and endurance, dominating the skyline
 The Norman architects employed sturdy
stone masonry, thick walls, and semi-
circular arches, creating a sense of
solidity and grandeur that remains awe-
inspiring to this day.
 The oldest part of the crypt is the two
westernmost bays under the eastern
end of the quire. It is part of the original
1080s Lanfranc construction with typical
Romanesque groin vaulting springing
from plain capitals atop quite slender
plain shafts. The rest of the crypt is from
a century later. The plinths, shafts and
capitals are in the same style as the
earlier work, but quadripartite rib
vaulting was used. Owing to the oblong
shape of the bays, the shorter
transverse arches are pointed; however,
since the other ribs are rounded, the
overall appearance is Romanesque

Oxford Cathedral
 It is also the chapel of Christ Church, a
college of the University of Oxford. This
dual role as cathedral and college
chapel is unique in the Church of
England.
 The nave, choir, main tower and
transepts are late Norman. There are
architectural features ranging from
Norman to the Perpendicular style and
a large rose window of the ten-part (i.e.,
botanical) type.
 The architectural splendor of Oxford
Cathedral reflects a fascinating blend of
Norman, Gothic, and Renaissance
styles. The grandeur of its pointed
arches, soaring vaults, and intricate
stone carvings exemplifies the mastery
of Gothic design, while the elaborate
fan vaulting in its cloisters reflects
Renaissance influences.
Worcester Cathedral

 One of the defining features of


Worcester Cathedral is its breathtaking
vaulted ceilings, supported by slender
columns and ribbed arches. The use of
pointed arches and rib vaults
characterizes the Gothic style, allowing
for greater height and light within the
structure.
 The cathedral boasts magnificent
stained glass windows, which not only
serve as a source of illumination but
also depict biblical narratives and saints,
showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship
of medieval artisans

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