Gothic Cathedrals

1200-1300I. Role of Cathedral II. Microcosm of Medieval World

Medieval Pilgrimage Routes

Rise of Trade & Growth of Towns and Cities

manor

monastery

CITY

The Cathedral of Notre Dame, Chartres

Sancta Chamisia 876

Pagan Sacred Spring

Statue of Madonna by St. Luke

734 Church Dedicated to Virgin

876 Sacra Chamisia

11th Century New Basilica

Early 12th Century Fire

Late 12th Century (1194) Fire

1194 –1220 New Cathedral

Economy

I. Role of the Cathedral

4 Annual Fairs

Town Meetings Mystery, Miracle & Morality Plays

Education Health Care

Spiritual: Sacraments, Salvation

“Catechism in Glass & Stone”

“To adore images is one thing; to teach with their help what should be adored is another. What Scripture is to the educated, images are to the ignorant . . . They read in them what they cannot in books.” - Pope Gregory the Great (11th Century)

Medieval Universe in Microcosm

West Façade - Early 12th Century

Right Portal 7 Liberal Arts

Left PortalSigns of the ZodiacLabors of the Month

Center Portal

“Royal Portal” Jamb Sculpture

North Porch

Old Testament Jamb Sculptures

Center Portal

Coronationof the Virgin

The Visitation, c. 1200 Royal Portal, c. 1150

South Porch

“Beau Dieu”Trumeau

< “Beau Dieu” Amiens

Center Portal – Last Judgment

MartyrsJamb Sculpture

GOD

Spiritual Realm(Faith & Divine

Revelation)

MAN

Earthly World(Reason)

Cathedral

“. . . transported from this inferior to that higher world . . .”

“dwelling . . . in some strange region of the universe which neither exists entirely in the slime of the earth nor entirely in

the purity of Heaven . . .”

“delight in the beauty of the house of God . . . away from external cares” - Abbot Suger c. 1144

Flying Buttresses

II. Microcosm of Medieval World in Stained Glass

II. Microcosm of Medieval World in Stained Glass

Old Testament

King David

Noah’s Ark

New Testament

Last Supper

AnnunciationNativity

Demons, Saints, Martyrs

Murder of Thomas à Beckett

Heroes from History

Charlemage

Contemporary Medieval Society

Queen Blanche of Castille

Royalty

Nobility

Merchants

Tradespeople

Cloth Merchants

Spice Traders

Craftsmen & Guilds

Butchers

Wheelwrights

Cobblers

Masons &

Sculptors

Wine Growers Guild Count Thibault VI of Champagne

Labors of the Month Signs of the Zodiac

PeasantsSerfs

Pope King

KnightsChurchNobility

Commoner

Middle Class:MerchantsCraftsmen