Gothic Architecture

Gothic Architecture : The architectural style that developed in northern France and spread throughout Europe between 1150 and 1400. Large areas were covered by stone caults supported by slender stone piers. By reducing the structure to piers the area between them could be and usually was filled with glass. The weight and pressure of the pointed vault touches the piers. This load is then split up. Some is carried down the pier while some is carried across the flying buttress and down the foundation. The most common features are the pointed arches and vaults, the large amounts of glass in the walls and an overall feeling of great height.

Gothic architecture originated in the twelfth century and derived from teh Romanseque. Gothic architectures style was created by Abbot Suger an advisor of the french kings. The designs and buildings that were desired required the best artists and architectures there was to offer in medieval times.

Gothic architecture has three main characteristics that has developed it's style. The Flying Buttress, Ribbed Vaults and Pointed Arches derived from medieval time, all exempifying Gothic architecture. The work of gothic architects gave great use to sculptures and stained glass windows.

Gothic architecture was developed by Christian people. Their religion strongly reflected on the building of churches. They beleieved that God looked upon three main things, light, reason and proportion. The Gothic churches were built to show purtiy and light, a symbol of heaven. High ceilings and large windows gave space and great light.

Tools used for construction :

* Pickaxe

* Hammer

* Template

* Chisel

* Lever

* Measuring Stick

* Saw

* Dividers

* Square

* Brace and Bit

* Sledge Hammer and Wedge

* Plane

* Auger

* Axe

There were approxamitley 150 workers along with the head carpenter and his apprentices. There were different groups of people for every job ranging from tool making ti the cutting if timber.

Everything was built manually, things such as workshops, machines and scaffolding.While all this is being done the workers are alwasy watched by the head carpenter to make sure all was done correct.

While the wood cutters were in the forest of Chantilly being supervised, the master quarryman was sent to supervise 50 stone cutters and 250 labourors who worked in teh Somme Valley, a place well know for it's limestone.

Houses were burnt down in the Village to clear space for the building of the Chartres Cathedral

Many workshops were built for workers. There was workshops for blacksmiths, carpenters and craftsman so they all had a place to eat, sleep and rest and work if faced with bad weather.