Flash_on_English_for_Construction

The Middle Ages: the Gothic period

3 Read the text and then choose the correct option.

The Gothic style was mainly introduced in Britain by the

monastic order of Cistercians. They brought a simplified

version of Gothic from their homeland in Burgundy, France.

Many of the finest and largest works of English

architecture, particularly the medieval cathedrals of

England, were built in this Gothic style which flourished

during the Middle Ages.

Characteristic features of this style include tall pointed

arches and tall narrow windows and columns. This choice

was due to the fact that the Cistercians wanted to show

their ideas of spiritual elevation in all expressions of

monastic life, including architecture. York Cathedral

There are three main periods in Gothic architecture:

• Early English style dates back to the 13 th century and its main features are tall, narrow, pointed windows with no
  decorative stonework.


• The Decorated style was typical of the first half of the 14th century and introduced more decorative patterns of
  ornamental stone carving around windows and doors. The simple geometric shapes of the Early English period gave
  way to the use of more complex curves.


• Perpendicular style is the third phase of Gothic architecture in England. It features large windows, vertical lines and
  fan vaulting (ceiling patterns in stone). This style characterised the second half of the 14th and 15th century.

1 The Cistercians came from ...

A Spain.

B France.

C Wales.

2 They wanted to express their ideas of ... in

arch itectu re.

A spiritual elevation

B monastic life

C decorative stonework

3 Early English style is characterised by ...

A simple and plain stonework.

B ornamental stone carving.

C fan vaulting.

4 Decorated style is typical of the ... century.

A 13th

B 14th

C 15th

5 The main features of Perpendicular style are ...

A narrow, pointed windows.

B stone carving around windows.

C large windows and fan vaulting.

Most Gothic churches have a cruciform plan. The nave is t he

main body of the church and is longer than the other three

arms. Across the main body of the church is the transept.

The aisles are on both sides of the nave, which is higher and

wider. The nave receives direct lighting f rom a clearstorey -the

windowed area above the aisles.

Masonry vaulting over the aisles and nave is another typical

characteristic.

~ ambulatories

rY1"'" choi r

l!( 11 1:' 11 Y III crossi ng

transept Wlj?]xi>VJ>tl

H (;1)Hft nave

-N

sexpartite vault

43