TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions VR Experiences
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Etal Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions VR Experiences
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Etal Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
Architecture

Medieval Architecture - Introduction

This section describes the architecture used in Britain's large churches, cathedrals and castles during the Medieval period. The progress in design can be divided into several categories that roughly describe each stage. Each stage had its own distinctive characteristics and it is still possible to see the different stages in the churches, cathedrals and castles that remain. The date ranges stated below are not exact as the styles tended to overlap by +/- 25 years.

Romanesque or Norman

AD 1066 - 1190

  • Inspired by Roman architecture
  • Massive and solid construction
  • Semi-circular arches
  • Cross-shaped church
  • Zig-zag mouldings

Early English Gothic

AD 1190 - 1275

  • Pointed arches
  • Clusters of columns to form pillars
  • Common style for Cistercian Abbeys
  • Roche Abbey
  • Wells Cathedral

Decorated Gothic

AD 1275 - 1350

  • Elaborate windows and vaulting
  • Higher and more elegant columns
  • Exeter Cathedral
  • Gloucester Cathedral
  • The Octagon at Ely

Perpendicular Gothic

AD 1350 - 1550

  • Fan-vaults
  • Emphasis on vertical lines
  • Bath Abbey
  • Hereford central tower
  • Henry VII's Chapel at Westminster

Medieval Architecture

  • Introduction Page
  • Romanesque or Norman
  • Norman Medieval Keeps
  • Early English Gothic
  • Decorated Gothic
  • Perpendicular Gothic
3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

Medieval Heraldry

Learn about medieval shield design.

Design your own medieval Coat of Arms.

Explore the White Tower

Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

 

Adventure Game - Early Access

Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

 

Medieval Town - Early Access

Explore the medieval town.

 

Medieval Village - Early Access

Explore the medieval village.

 

Medieval Abbey - Early Access

Explore the medieval abbey.

 

Medieval Theatre - Early Access

Explore the medieval theatre.

 

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