Research Paper On Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture is a design that flourished during the high and late medieval period - originating in 12th-century France and lasting into the 16th century. It developed from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture. Gothic architecture was known during its time as Opus Francigenum (French work) with the term Gothic first appearing during the later part of the Renaissance. The different gothic styles were influenced heavily by politics, religion, and the geographic location. Majority of the styles include the pointed arches, the ribbed vaults and the flying buttress. Gothic design is accustom for many of the great cathedrals, abbeys and churches of Europe. It is also the architecture of many castles, palaces,
At the end of the 12th century, Europe was divided into kingdoms. The area containing modern Germany, southern Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and much of northern Italy was part of the Holy Roman Empire. France, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Portugal, Scotland, Castile, Aragon, Navarre, Sicily and Cyprus were independent kingdoms. These countries/kingdoms all had political influences and their own styles towards gothic architecture. The Catholic Church reigned across Europe during this period, influencing not only faith but also wealth and power. Bishops were assigned by the Church and often ruled as virtual princes over large estates. A portion of their influence was that they tended to build within towns. During the transition phase between Romanesque to the Gothic architecture the acceptance of the Gothic style and methods of construction varied from place to place, as did the expressions of Gothic perception. Some regions such as England and Spain produced defining features hardly seen elsewhere, excluding where itinerant craftsmen, or the transfer of bishops had brought it. Where differences were apparent during the Romanesque period became more apparent during the gothic age. The local accessibility to materials