A Short History of the Middle Ages Fourth Edition

Figure 5.1: Saint-Germain of Auxerre (12th cent.)

The architecture and sculpture of twelfth-century churches like Saint-Germain

were suited to showcase both the solemn intoning of the chant and the honor due to

God. The style, called Romanesque, represents the first wave of European

monumental architecture. Built of stone, Romanesque churches are echo chambers

for the sounds of the chant. Massive, weighty, and dignified, they are often enlivened

by sculpture, wall paintings, or patterned textures. At Durham Cathedral (built