History of Architecture: Unit II. Early Midieval Period
History of Architecture: Unit II. Early Midieval Period
History of Architecture: Unit II. Early Midieval Period
EXAMPLES:
• Pisa group
• Abbaye aux homes
• Durham cathedral
INTRODUCTION
After the fall of Rome, Western Europe entered a period known as the Middle
Ages, also known as The Medieval Period, which lasted from 400 – 1400 A.D.
The ‘Dark Ages’ is a term often used synonymously with the “Middle Ages”. It
refers to the period of time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the
beginning of the Italian Renaissance.
The Middle Ages Defined
Charlemagne
• Charlemagne’s desire to promote learning led to what has been called the
Carolingian Renaissance(rebirth)
• There was renewed interest in latin culture and classical works- works of the
greeks and Romans.
Your Solution:
THE CAROLINGIAN RENAISSANCE
Charlemagne: Carolingian Renaissance
Charlemagne's reign was characterized not just with warfare, but also with his political
achievements. He also made a significant improvement in literacy and culture of the
Frankish Empire. Because of the tendency to the ideals of the Ancient Rome, and the
very idea of restitution of literacy, culture and art, this period is called the Carolingian
Renaissance
Art
1. Constant fighting
2. Disruptions in trade
Cities no longer economic centers
3. Downfall of cities
Governments collapsed
Nobles retreat to rural areas
Noble Church
Official
Knights
Peasants/Serfs
The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social
Organization of Medieval Europe
• In return for being able to work the land, the peasants gave the lord some of
their crops (taxes) and helped to farm his land.
• Most of manor’s land occupied by fields for crops, pastures for animals
• Middle Ages farmers learned that leaving field empty for year improved soil
• In time, practice developed into three-field crop rotation system
Life in a Castle
• Life in Middle Ages not easy, did not have comforts we have today
• Early castles built for defense not comfort
• Few windows, stuffy in summer, cold in winter, dark always
Space
• Nobles had to share space with others, including soldiers, servants
• Private rooms very rare
• Main room the hall, large room for dining, entertaining
Bedrooms
• In early castles, noble family bedrooms separated from main area by sheets
• Later castles had separate bedrooms; latrines near bedrooms
• Wooden bathtub outside in warm weather, inside near fireplace in winter
Castles
• In the early Middle Ages,
castles were simple
structures made from earth
and wood, later they were
made from stone.
• Castles were usually built on
hills or other landforms that
would prevent easy attack.
• If a castle was on flat land
(difficult to defend) a moat
and drawbridge were built
• A castle's rooms had thick
walls and small windows with
no glass so they were usually
dark and chilly.
BUILDING A MOTTE AND BAILEY CASTLE:
The Normans had invented a way of After digging a ditch, they raised a great
building castles quickly. It was a bit like mound in the middle. This was called a
making sandcastles but on a much bigger “motte” which is French for “mound”.
scale.
On top of the mound they built a tower Below the motte there was another enclosure
and surrounded it with a wooden fence. surrounded by a fence. This was called the
This was the strongest point of the castle. “bailey’. The Normans built motte and bailey
castles all over England
PAPACY