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GOTHIC LITERATURE

Introduction

Forget the association of the word “Gothic” to dark, haunted houses, Wuthering Heights, or ghostly pale people wearing black nail polish and ripped fishnets. The original Gothic style was actually developed to bring sunshine into people’s lives, and especially into their churches. To get past the accrued definitions of the centuries, it’s best to go back to the very start of the word Gothic, and to the style that bears the name.

The Goths were a so-called barbaric tribe who held power in various regions of Europe, between the collapse of the Roman Empire and the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire (so, from roughly the fifth to the eighth century). They were not renowned for great achievements in architecture. As with many art historical terms, “Gothic” came to be applied to a certain architectural style after the fact.

Early Gothic arches, Southwell Minster.

The style represented giant steps away from the previous, relatively basic building systems that had prevailed. The Gothic grew out of the Romanesque architectural style, when both prosperity and relative peace allowed for several centuries of cultural development and great building schemes. From roughly 1000 to 1400, several significant cathedrals and churches were built, particularly in Britain and France, offering architects and masons a chance to work out ever more complex and daring designs.

The most fundamental element of the Gothic style of architecture is the pointed arch, which was likely borrowed from Islamic architecture that would have been seen in Spain at this time. The pointed arch relieved some of the thrust, and therefore, the stress on other structural elements. It then became possible to reduce the size of the columns or piers that supported the arch. Read more . . .

Image: Early Gothic arches, Southwell Minster.

SOURCE: Valerie Spanswick, "Gothic architecture, an introduction," in Smarthistory, August 8, 2015, https://smarthistory.org/gothic-architecture-an-introduction/.

Videos

A Brief History of the Goths

What do fans of atmospheric post-punk music have in common with ancient barbarians? Not much ... so why are both known as “goths”? Is it a weird coincidence – or is there a deeper connection stretching across the centuries? Dan Adams investigates.

SOURCE: TED-Ed (2017), posted on YouTube, Duration: 5:30 mins, URL: https://youtu.be/STOJftffOqs

What is Gothic Architecture?

SOURCE: Mark Wilcken, Easy Architecture (2016) posted on YouTube, Duration: 5:23 mins, URL: https://youtu.be/vrdkL7Y8Who

Skyscrapers of the Middle Ages

​​​​​​​The finer, pointed arches of Gothic architecture came to Britain in the Middle Ages, courtesy of French masons who learned it from Arab architects. Opening up the dark and sombre Norman style, Gothic cathedrals became places of light and space. Little wonder they were often referred to as 'heaven on earth'. Gothic became known as the architecture of learning as the buildings of Oxford were constructed in this style. The amazing weight-bearing capacities of Gothic style are born out in the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral where a spire 150 metres high sits atop the structure built on a boggy paddock, with just 1.3m deep foundations.

SOURCE: Clickview (2008), Rating: PG, Duration: 46:42 mins, URL: https://clickv.ie/w/nWqo

Pugin's Gothic Utopia [Miniclip]

Augustus Pugin was an English architect, designer, artist and critic who is principally remembered for his pioneering role in the Gothic Revival style of architecture. His work culminated in designing the interior of the Palace of Westminster in Westminster, London, England, and its iconic clock tower, later renamed the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the bell known as Big Ben.

SOURCE: Clip from The Art of Gothic, Ep. 2, Clickview (2019), Duration: 11:14 mins, URL: https://clickv.ie/w/VHzo

Links

Gothic Architecture: Introduction Rushkin's "The Nature of Gothic" Gothic Architecture [Wikipedia]