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Origin

The Urban Growth

The Guilds

The Development of Trade

The Appearance of Banking

Elements of Gothic Art

Examples of Gothic Cathedrals

Current Example of this Task

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• Gothic art was a Medieval Art movement that developed in France in the mid-12th century, led by the concurrent development of Gothic architecture. It spread to all of Western Europe.

• Primary media in the Gothic period included sculpture, panel painting, stained glass, fresco and illuminated manuscript.

• The earliest Gothic art was monumental sculpture, on the walls of Cathedrals and churches. Christian art was often typological in nature: the New Testament, the Old Testament, Saints' lives, Virgin Mary,...

• Secular art came during this period with the rise of cities, foundation of universities, increase in trade, the establishment of a money-based economy and the creation of a bourgeois class who could pay to patronize the arts and workers.

• With the growth of cities, trade guilds were formed. Artists were often required to be members of a painters’ guild. More artists are known because they signed their names.

The urban growth

• Europe became more prosperous because agricultural production started to increase from the 12th century.

• Food production increased and there was less hunger. Then, there was a population increase.

• New farming techniques resulted in less work for people. Many peasants had to migrate to cities to find work.

• Peasants found a better life because they were free.

• Some old cities were bring around. New cities set up, often near a castle or monastery, at crossroads or on a trade route.

• Different kinds of people lived in cities: rich merchants who governed the city; craftsmen, shopkeepers; poor people who did not have a job. Groups of jews who lived in Jewish quarters or Moorish quarters on Iberian Peninsula.

• Each city had its own government, the city council which was led by a major.

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• Population increased and then they needed clothes and objects made of wood and metal. So, craftsmen grew.

• Craftsmen of the same profession lived in the same street.

• All skilled workers joined a guild which had its own statute, where there were members’ rights and obligations.

• Guilds controlled: production, raw materials, number of workers, prices,...

• Their structure was: masters, apprentices and oficials. They had to pass an exam if they wanted to get a higher post.

• Guilds took care their members and their families. Also, they built hospitals. Anyone needed to belong to a guild if he wanted to trade.

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• There was an evolution and improvement of the land routes.

• The enhancement of sea routes and trade ships did a better navigation.

• The birth of a new social class: bourgeois, which did not have to obbey lords.

• Consequently, cities did not offer all the products that bourgeois needed. Then, luxury goods were obtained through trade.

• Merchandises were transported by land, river and sea. The two remarkable sea routes were: Mediterranean and Atlantic-Baltic.

• Some imported items were: perfumes, silks, spices,...

Some exported goods were: wheat, wine, tins, weapons,...

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• Consequently, banking came to light due to the development of trade and the fixing of international fairs every year.

• WHY DID BANKING APPEAR? Money was necessary apart from barter. Banking was an economy’s instrument.

• People related to this work were: - Bourgeois: They lent money to

noblemen. - Moneylenders: among them,

Jews were important.• Banking techniques changed and new

financial methods were developed. - Payment by credit - Bills of exchange

PinacleSteeple

Rose window

Tympanum

Flying Buttress

SideDoor

• Pointed arches and rib vaults were used.

• There was stained glass on the walls.

• Gothic cathedrals were high and lighter because they were a symbol of reaching heaven.

• The grown plant was the latin cross.

• The Gothic cathedrals were a sign of prestige.

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• This book was written by Ken Follet. Its story is about the building of a Gothic cathedral in the Middle Ages.

• There is a film based on this novel.

• Both of them have been well received by the critics.