Romanesque Architecture
- AD 1066-1190 (+/- 25 years)
- Inspired by Roman architecture
- Massive and solid construction
- Semi-circular arches
- Church shaped like a cross
- Zig-zag mouldings
- Apsidal east end constructions
- Durham Cathedral nave, choir and transepts
- Norwich Cathedral nave and central tower
nglish Romanesque or Norman style of design is attributed to those churches and
castles built by the Normans shortly before their Conquest of Britain in 1066 and until the end of the twelfth century. This style was first introduced into England during the reign of
Edward the Confessor. The king himself founded the Abbey at Westminster and many other churches. The Abbey was not completed at the time of his death in January 1066 but enough
had been built for it to be consecrated on December 28th 1065. The Conquest of England and the influx of barons and ecclesiatics from Normandy brought a revolution in society
and in architecture. In most instances it can be seen that each great church was rebuilt from its foundations by the first Norman bishop who took over. Some were moved to more
favourable settings or even moved to new towns. At Winchester the new church was built alongside the old and the old was finally demolished once the religious relics had been
transferred.
Although the workmanship of the Normans was superior to that of the Saxons it was still not up to the quality that can be seen in later styles. Many of the towers that were built at this early time collapsed or had to be strengthened later on. It is possible that much of the work was still done by Saxon workers as there was so much work to do. The Saxon workers may have worked under instruction from Norman masters or worked alone, copying what they had seen of the new building techniques.
By the end of William the Conqueror's reign in 1087 many of the major churches and cathedrals had been rebuilt or were being rebuilt. It is possible that 7,000 churches were built within a century after the Norman Conquest**.
** From 'The Story of Architecture' by P. Leslie Waterhouse 1924.
Influence
The influence for the Romanesque design came from Roman architecture. The Roman fashion of building included massive arches as seen in aquaducts and amphitheatres.
Characteristics
Romanesque architecture is characterised by massiveness, round arches, small windows, heavy vaulting and simple cushion shaped capitals cut from a single cube of stone. Piers are simple cylinders as at Gloucester Cathedral, or more commonly moulded with geometric patterns as at Durham Cathedral. The arches and doorways usually have zig-zag or chevron patterns around them.
Vaults
When you look up at the ceilings of churches and castles you often see vaults, curved sections made from stone. The semi-circular vault is a characteristic of Romanesque and Norman architecture and was copied from the Romans.
Influence
The influence for the Romanesque design came from Roman architecture. The Roman fashion of building included massive arches as seen in aquaducts and amphitheatres.
Quantity, not quality
Because of the large numbers of churches that needed rebuilding in such a short period of time, the quality of construction suffered. To build large structures the designers created massively thick walls and columns, sometimes ten feet in width. But these walls were not solid throughout. The outer facing stones were very thin in comparison to the width of the walls, while the inner section was filled with rubble and mortar. Often this mortar was of poor quality and would crumble if too much weight was put upon it.
Timeline of construction
1071
Canterbury Cathedral rebuilt by Lanfranc
Canterbury Cathedral was rebuilt at this time by Archbishop Lanfranc. The Cathedral was based on the design of his abbey in Caen.
1077
St. Albans Cathedral building work begins
Work began on St. Albans Cathedral. It was organised by Abbot Paul of Caen. Early work most likely to be in Anglo-Saxon style.
1079
Construction work began on the crypt and transepts of Winchester Cathedral. This continued until 1093.
1084
Worcester Cathedral building begins
Building work starts on Worcester Cathedral. Orchestrated by Bishop Wulfstan.
1087
St. Paul's Cathedral Burns down
Work on rebuilding St. Paul's Cathedral started after the Old St. Paul's burnt down and a good deal of London as well. The person in charge of the rebuilding work was Mauritius, chaplain to William the Conqueror and Bishop of London. The new Cathedral was reportedly extremely large.
1092
Old Sarum Cathedral completed and dedicated
The cathedral at Old Sarum was completed and dedicated to Blessed Virgin. The cathedral was damaged by a storm only five days after the dedication service and the roof destroyed. The location of the cathedral meant it exposed to the wind and the sermons were sometimes drowned out by the sound.
1092
Two days after the death of Bishop Remigius who was instrumental in the building's construction the cathedral at Lincoln was consecrated.
1093
Durham Cathedral was the first building in Western Europe with ribbed vaulting in the ceiling.
1097
Construction of Westminster Hall
William Rufus arranged the construction of a new hall outside of London near Westminster Abbey. Westminster Hall was the largest hall in England and designed, no doubt, to impress and somewhere to hold banquets, ceremonies and a place to celebrate the coronations that took place in the Abbey near by. The hall is the earliest surviving building on the site.
1099
Construction of the nave at Durham Cathedral began in 1099 and lasted until 1128.
1107
Construction of Llandaff Cathedral
At Llandaff in South Wales bishop Urban began the construction of a new church on the site of a much older religious site.
1108
Construction work began on the tower of Winchester Cathedral and building continued until 1120.
1108
Work began on the nave and transepts of Southwell Cathedral and work continued until 1150.
Page Navigation
Medieval Architecture
- Introduction Page
- Romanesque or Norman
- Norman Medieval Keeps
- Early English Gothic
- Decorated Gothic
- Perpendicular Gothic
Useful Terms
Abacus The flat slab of stone at the top of a column forming the top of a capital and supporting the arch or wall above it Abutment The section of wall to the side of the curving part of the arch erected to counter the thrust of the arch Aisle The passages to each side of the nave, separated from the nave by screens or columns Altar Flat topped wooden or stone table containing the cross. Usually at the east end of the church Alure The path along the top of a parapet at the top of a wall Ambulatory The processional aisle around the apse at the east end of a church Ampoule Vessel containing the sacred oil to anoint the kings of France at the cathedral at Rheims Anglo-Saxon English architectural style Apse A semicircular projection usually found at the east end of a church Apsidal Ending in a semi-circle Arcade A row of arches and columns dividing two places Arcading A row of blind arches in a wall, such that the arches are filled in and lead nowhere Arch A pointed or curved construction of wedge shaped stones. See Voussoir Architect A person competent to design buildings and to supervise their construction Architrave The ornamental moulding running around the curve of an arch, a door or window Archivolt A moulding carried around an arch Armature Metal framework in large untraceried window used to support the stained glass Ashlar Hewn and squared stone ready for construction purposes Atrium Covered row of columns in front of the door of a church
