Feudal System and Medieval Society

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

• Frankish, Lombard and Visigoth craftsmanship is evident in mediaeval church furnishings (crosses, chalices, reliquaries, and tabernacle doors).

• These items are adorned with gold and precious gems.

• Norsemen of Scandinavia used naturally curved tree-trunks for the prows of their boats and applied similar techniques in structural timber designs.

• 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)

• The word "feudal" comes from the word "fief."

• A "fief" is a piece of property given to a person, or occasionally to a woman under conditions that they perform some service.

• Those who received a fief were known as vassals.

• The recipient of a fief was the vassal of their lord (who granted the fief).

• King's power was widely distributed with a king owning vast amounts of land.

• Economic resources held or managed by the king were exercised through a large number of vassals.

• A manor mainly consisted of demesne land, dependant land and free land.

• Demesne land was controlled by the lord and his officials.

• Dependent land was farmed by serfs where peasants paid rent.

• 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

• Stone is a principal material, although brick with marble facing was common in Italian buildings.

• Relatively few windows in Romanesque buildings which gives those structures a fortress-like appearance.

• 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.

• The nave or aisle is divided into square compartments by diaphragm arches.

• 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.