Westminster Abbey
Gothic architecture evolved from the Romanesque style, developing in northern France in the 11th century. The Gothic style was originally utilized in churches, and soon spilled into secular architecture as well. England was quick to adopt the theme of Gothic architecture, and Germany and Spain were not slow to follow. Gothic architecture was not nearly as prominent in the Italian city states as it was in Northern Europe, and it faded from Italy in the beginning of the sixteenth century, while it flourished in the other countries even beyond the sixteenth century.
Abbot Suger of St. Denis is often regarded as the founder of Gothic architecture. He rebuilt the Abbey of St. Denis, creating one of the earliest Gothic buildings. He made many changes to the church which had not been present in the Romanesque style. The innovations Suger made would soon be common in all Gothic churches, including Westminster Abbey. A few of these new traits included pointed arches, groin vaults, and flying buttresses. Soon, many churches were built in the new style in places like Paris, Reims, and Canterbury.
The Abbey of St. Denis in France.
Full of iconography and symbolism, Gothic buildings were generally much more ornate than those of the Romanesque style. Gothic churches were built in the cruciform style (representing the cross of Christ), had at least one tower in the main church, and featured a radiating floor plan consisting of an apse surrounded by chapels. One often noted characteristic of Gothic cathedrals is their enormous stained glass windows that let light flood into the nave. Gothic infatuation with light was linked to the philosophy of Plato, who esteemed light as the ultimate source of truth and reality. Primarily, Gothic architects used the Gospel of St. John to champion light, for it speaks of the Word as “a light shining in the darkness.”[1] This same Gospel also records Christ referring to Himself as “the light of the world.”[2] Many scholars, such as St. Thomas Aquinas and Robert Grosseteste, had seen light as the intermediary between the flesh and the spirit. Stained glass was utilized because the dazzling colors of the light shining through the glass represented gems, symbolizing spiritual light, reconciling the heavenly and the earthly. The numerous circles built into Gothic architecture, representing eternity and heaven, are another example of symbolism built into the cathedrals.
North Rose Window at Chartres Cathedral.
The Gothic cathedrals played a pivotal role in Medieval society. Though it is true that they were financed by endowments from monarchs, they were largely funded from offerings from the lower class. In fact, peasants were often involved in the building of the churches themselves, carrying wood or lending supplies. Society placed such importance on the cathedrals because they were viewed as the home of God. Medieval churches were created with the intention of evoking the paradise of the New Jerusalem promised after Judgment Day, as evidenced in the consecrations of the cathedrals, which frequently alluded to the book of Revelation.
One of the earliest and most famous Gothic cathedrals is Notre-Dame de Paris, or “Our Lady of Paris.” Like Westminster Abbey, Notre Dame was built over time, from 1163 to 1345. Because both Westminster Abbey and Notre Dame were both built in the Gothic style and Westminster Abbey bears such strong French influences, the two cathedrals are very similar. Both feature flying buttresses (though these were not originally included in the design of Notre Dame), magnificent stained glass windows, chapels circling the apse, and portals adorned with sculpted biblical scenes. The naves of the two churches are almost of equal height, with that of Notre Dame being 35 meters, and Westminster Abbey’s reaching 31 meters. Westminster Abbey differs from Notre Dame in its distinctly English features, such as single aisles rather than double, and the use of Purbeck marble, found in the Isle of Purbeck in England.
[1] John 1:5
[2] John 8:12
Notre-Dame de Paris