Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary condition associated with receiving a fief?
What was the primary condition associated with receiving a fief?
In the feudal system, who acted as vassals to the king?
In the feudal system, who acted as vassals to the king?
What role did knights primarily serve in relation to lords?
What role did knights primarily serve in relation to lords?
How was power distributed in medieval Europe within the feudal system?
How was power distributed in medieval Europe within the feudal system?
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What type of responsibilities did peasants commonly have in the feudal system?
What type of responsibilities did peasants commonly have in the feudal system?
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What was the primary role of knights in the feudal system?
What was the primary role of knights in the feudal system?
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Which innovation significantly improved the effectiveness of mounted warriors?
Which innovation significantly improved the effectiveness of mounted warriors?
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What did the peasants provide to the feudal system in exchange for protection and shelter?
What did the peasants provide to the feudal system in exchange for protection and shelter?
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Where would servants most likely sleep in a lord's hall?
Where would servants most likely sleep in a lord's hall?
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Which of the following terms is synonymous with 'knight' in different cultures?
Which of the following terms is synonymous with 'knight' in different cultures?
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What type of construction commonly made up the living spaces of laborers in the feudal system?
What type of construction commonly made up the living spaces of laborers in the feudal system?
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What was a common feature of the lord's hall in medieval times?
What was a common feature of the lord's hall in medieval times?
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What was the primary responsibility of the lords in the feudal system?
What was the primary responsibility of the lords in the feudal system?
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What was a primary structural characteristic of Romanesque architecture?
What was a primary structural characteristic of Romanesque architecture?
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Which group is noted for its distinctive woodworking skills that contributed to architectural structures?
Which group is noted for its distinctive woodworking skills that contributed to architectural structures?
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What is a notable feature of Norman architecture introduced to England?
What is a notable feature of Norman architecture introduced to England?
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Which of the following was a contribution from the Celts to architectural decoration?
Which of the following was a contribution from the Celts to architectural decoration?
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What marked the Anglo-Saxon architecture prior to the Norman Conquest?
What marked the Anglo-Saxon architecture prior to the Norman Conquest?
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Which invasion led to significant architectural changes in England in 1066?
Which invasion led to significant architectural changes in England in 1066?
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What type of ornamentation was commonly used in the religious furniture of the medieval Church?
What type of ornamentation was commonly used in the religious furniture of the medieval Church?
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What architectural element was distinctively designed in Romanesque architecture but not focused on classical orders?
What architectural element was distinctively designed in Romanesque architecture but not focused on classical orders?
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What is the function of a ridge rib in a vaulting compartment?
What is the function of a ridge rib in a vaulting compartment?
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Which term describes a rib that crosses a compartment diagonally in a rib vault?
Which term describes a rib that crosses a compartment diagonally in a rib vault?
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What is a primary characteristic of a buttress in Romanesque architecture?
What is a primary characteristic of a buttress in Romanesque architecture?
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Which architectural term refers to a series of arches supported on piers or columns?
Which architectural term refers to a series of arches supported on piers or columns?
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What does the term 'severy' refer to in a vaulted structure?
What does the term 'severy' refer to in a vaulted structure?
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What is the purpose of a transverse arch in Romanesque architecture?
What is the purpose of a transverse arch in Romanesque architecture?
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Which term refers to an ornamental vaulting rib that does not spring from a pier?
Which term refers to an ornamental vaulting rib that does not spring from a pier?
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What does a blind arcade consist of in architectural terms?
What does a blind arcade consist of in architectural terms?
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What is the primary purpose of a transept in a cruciform church?
What is the primary purpose of a transept in a cruciform church?
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Which statement accurately describes a chantry in Romanesque architecture?
Which statement accurately describes a chantry in Romanesque architecture?
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What distinguishes a chapter house from other areas in a monastery or cathedral?
What distinguishes a chapter house from other areas in a monastery or cathedral?
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Which feature is part of the Romanesque architectural design of a chancel?
Which feature is part of the Romanesque architectural design of a chancel?
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What architectural term describes the rounded east end of a Gothic cathedral?
What architectural term describes the rounded east end of a Gothic cathedral?
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Which statement is true about the labyrinth in a medieval church?
Which statement is true about the labyrinth in a medieval church?
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What is the primary function of the high altar in Romanesque churches?
What is the primary function of the high altar in Romanesque churches?
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Which of the following statements best describes the term 'retrochoir'?
Which of the following statements best describes the term 'retrochoir'?
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What is the main purpose of a drawbridge in a castle?
What is the main purpose of a drawbridge in a castle?
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Which architectural feature has openings in the floor for dropping projectiles on enemies?
Which architectural feature has openings in the floor for dropping projectiles on enemies?
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What term describes the solid parts between the open spaces of a battlement?
What term describes the solid parts between the open spaces of a battlement?
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Which feature serves as a strong grating that can be quickly lowered over a gateway?
Which feature serves as a strong grating that can be quickly lowered over a gateway?
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What is an oublette in the context of a medieval castle?
What is an oublette in the context of a medieval castle?
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What role did castles play in the development of towns during medieval times?
What role did castles play in the development of towns during medieval times?
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In medieval castle design, what does it mean for a structure to be crenelated?
In medieval castle design, what does it mean for a structure to be crenelated?
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Which feature of a castle is typically filled with water to provide protection?
Which feature of a castle is typically filled with water to provide protection?
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Study Notes
Romanesque Architecture - The Order of the Sanctuary
- Romanesque builders weren't concerned with classical elements like orders in all locations, but in Italy, they used quasi-classical details.
- This style has a unique character, distinct from original classical periods and their revivals.
- Romanesque architecture is founded on strong Roman vaults, emphasizing security. Buildings are essentially fortresses.
Contributions of the One-Time Barbarians
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Frankish, Lombard and Visigoth craftsmanship is evident in mediaeval church furnishings (crosses, chalices, reliquaries, and tabernacle doors).
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These items are adorned with gold and precious gems.
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Norsemen of Scandinavia used naturally curved tree-trunks for the prows of their boats and applied similar techniques in structural timber designs.
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These designs have curved timbers (crucks) which support the arched frames of buildings, especially English cottages and farm buildings.
Norman Architecture
- Romanesque architecture from Normandy came to England before the rise of Gothic.
- It flourished until approximately 1200.
- Key features include large Benedictine abbey constructions, two-tower facades complementing a central tower on the crossing, and geometric ornamentation.
Contributions of the Celts
- Celtic art is found in inter-woven decorations on stone crosses and churches.
- Illuminated gospels were created by Celtic missionaries.
- Names of important Celtic missioners are: Columbian, Aidan, Alcuin, and Boniface.
Anglo-Saxon Architecture
- The early Romanesque architecture in England (before 1066) was formed by the translation of timber prototypes into stone.
Islamic Architecture
- Saracenic influence from the spread of Islam reached as far as central France.
- Moorish capitals can be seen in Segovia cloisters.
- This style, combined with Norman designs, can be seen in Cefalù Cathedral, Sicily.
- Key characteristics of the style are: mosques as a building type, domes, and tunnel vaults (brick and stone), round and horseshoe arches, and extensive use of calligraphy, floral designs, and geometric patterns (a restriction on human or animal images).
- The style is sometimes called Muslim, Muhammadan, or Saracenic architecture.
Moorish Architecture
- Islamic architecture in North Africa and Spain (particularly in regions under Moorish domination).
- Building emphasized large mosques and elaborate fortress-palaces.
- Moors are a member of the Muslim people of north-west Africa who invaded Spain.
- Their dominance continued until 1492.
Medieval Europe - Feudal System
- The Western Empire (France, Germany, Italy, and Northern Spain) established a more organized feudal system during this time.
- The feudal system unified and controlled society, expressed through its building types.
- The king owned all land, and lords were given fiefs in exchange for military service.
- Knights protected land holders, and peasants worked the fields receiving protection and food from their nobles.
- Settlements, especially by labourers, were originally very basic.
- Gradually improvements occurred, in the layout, heating and cleanliness of houses, and these influenced design.
Medieval Europe - Feudal System (Continued)
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The word "feudal" comes from the word "fief."
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A "fief" is a piece of property given to a person, or occasionally to a woman under conditions that they perform some service.
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Those who received a fief were known as vassals.
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The recipient of a fief was the vassal of their lord (who granted the fief).
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King's power was widely distributed with a king owning vast amounts of land.
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Economic resources held or managed by the king were exercised through a large number of vassals.
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A manor mainly consisted of demesne land, dependant land and free land.
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Demesne land was controlled by the lord and his officials.
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Dependent land was farmed by serfs where peasants paid rent.
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Free land provided peasant with some independence.
Medieval Europe - Feudal System (Continued)
- As trade increased, towns grew wealthy.
- Many towns were built on land owned by nobles.
- Nobles controlled business in these towns.
- Medieval towns gained basic rights over time.
- Medieval towns also set up their own governments.
- Craftspeople organized guilds, setting quality standards for products and setting prices.
Medieval Europe - Pilgrimage
- Monks, friars, pilgrims, and crusaders were heavily influenced by religious enthusiasm leading to visions, miracles, stories of saints and relics.
- These factors helped spread Romanesque architecture (wide naves with broad transepts) as space was needed for daily rituals and processions to religious shrines.
- Parts of churches are named for specific functions (e.g. transept and crossing)
Medieval Europe - Crusades
- Kings, barons, and retainers, urged on by popes and bishops, tried to recapture the Holy Land from the Turks during the crusades.
- Eastern influences on architecture and siege techniques were brought back to Europe.
- Crusader tombs were often prominent features in churches.
Abbey
- A monastery under the supervision of an abbot, or a convent under the supervision of an abbess.
- It's the highest rank of religious institution.
Different architectural terms for regions/places and building features are defined.
Romanesque Architecture
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Stone is a principal material, although brick with marble facing was common in Italian buildings.
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Relatively few windows in Romanesque buildings which gives those structures a fortress-like appearance.
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Other features include the use of massive stonework, the semi-circular arch, barrel vaults, interlacing Lombard bands in the decorations, and various vaulting styles like the groin vault.
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The nave or aisle is divided into square compartments by diaphragm arches.
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The roof of each compartment has a groin vault.
Lombard Architecture
- The early Romanesque architecture of N. Italy during the 7th and 8th centuries showed influence from early Christian and Roman forms.
- They developed ribbed vaults and vaulting shafts.
Castle
- A fortified group of buildings that usually dominated the surrounding area, held by a prince or noble (feudal times).
Castle (Continued)
- Early castles included motte and bailey design.
- Later designs included towers and more complex layouts.
- Castles became important centres for emerging societies.
Tower Houses
- Wealthy families, particularly in Italian city-states, built their houses in the form of towers.
- Towers had solid bases with apartments on upper floors, sometimes with a warning bell.
Additional Information
- Various architectural details and features (e.g., tympanum (arch decoration), trumeau, different types of vaults, etc.) are described and illustrated.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the feudal system and its structure in medieval Europe. This quiz covers key roles such as knights, lords, and peasants, as well as their responsibilities and relationships. Explore the innovations and characteristics that defined this historical period.
