Stunning, Real Gothic – for over eight centuries

Gothic Architecture flourished in Western Europe from the mid-12thC to the revival of Classic Architecture in the 16thC.

The term Gothic was initially a term of reproach used by the Renaissance architects who considered all styles other than Classic barbarous and ‘Gothic’. It was not until the 19th century that study and understanding of the styles of the middle ages increased and a feeling of admiration succeeded that of contempt.

Gothic now ranks as one of the noblest styles of architecture.

The origin of Gothic architecture has given rise to ingenious speculation – it has been said that the style was copied directly from nature, the pointed arches and ribs of the vaults imitating the overarching branches of trees; others have maintained that the invention of the pointed arch evolved by chance from the interlacing circular arches of the Norman arcade; others that the style was imported from the East during the Crusades.

Most of these theories have been dispelled to give way to a more pragmatic view: as styles succeed each other, each ‘new’ style will invariably be influenced by those that preceded it on the grounds of aesthetics and durability. The pointed vault, for instance, may well have been borrowed from the Moors in Spain to become a popular style throughout France.

Northern France – home to the Gothic revolution

The gothic vault was forerunner of the whole style and evolved in the mid-12thC in the royal domain between the Norman territories and the Burgundian. Earliest examples of the fully developed Gothic style are the cathedral of St Denis (Paris) with Notre Dame de Paris following close behind. At the same time arose the magnificent cathedrals of Amiens, Beauvais, Bourges, Chartres, Reims and a host of others including Tournai in Belgium.

The popularity of the style was hastened by the invention around the same time of painted glass: this new way of introducing the most brilliant colours superseded the Romanesque frescoes and other paintings. Windows and vaults in the galleries were kept high to admit light, while windows were enlarged in order to accommodate stained glass.

The gothic style in northern France stopped evolving from about 1300.