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Timeline of Welsh-Architectural Events
1140
The construction of the abbey church of St Denis in Paris, the first Gothic Cathedral was begun in around 1140. Combining stained glass windows, flying buttresses, choir vaulting and rib vaults, it was a daring innovation in architecture. The specifications were set by the abbot of St Denis, Suger.
1160
Under the direction of the new Bishop of Paris, Maurice de Sulley, a new church was planned for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The major construction work would last until around 1235 while minor construction would continue for another 100 years after that. The existing church was pulled down and construction work began in 1163.
1163
Bishop Maurice de Sulley united the two Cathedrals of Paris, St. Stephen's and the Blessed Virgin with the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral and laid the foundations of the new building that was designed by Eudes de Montreuil.
1190
Philippe Augustus, the King of France, gave the order to begin building walls around Paris. Construction work would last for almost twleve years.
1200
The early cathedral at Rouen in France was badly damaged by a fire that destroyed other churches and parts of the city as well.
1208
After the nave was completed construction work commenced on the west front of Notre Dame Cathedral under the direction of Pierre de Nemours.
1211
In the previous year the cathedral at Reims was left beyond repair after a fire. Archbishop Aubry de Humbert ordered its reconstruction from the ground up.
1481
The roof and tower of Reims Cathedral were badly damaged by fire after workmen left a lit brasier unattended overnight in the roof space.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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