Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Gothic Cathedrals Stained Glass - 937 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

There were two main styles of architecture in the middle ages. Gothic period in architecture followed the Romanesque period. However, they did not follow the same elements. The primary difference between buildings Gothic and Romanesque style is ideological, besides their architectural styles are different.

Gothic style architecture included big churches called cathedrals. Cathedrals had tall skyscraper-like towers. Romanesque architecture had big internal spaces. These buildings had barrel vaults, columns, windows, and doors with rounded arches. The buildings were solid and heavy with small windows. The construction of the cathedrals was more than hundreds of years (Macdonald 14).

The overall shape of appearance was planned out before any construction was started. The contractors were usually peasants of the low class. Cathedrals were built on old church sites throughout Europe and the world to spread the religion of Christianity. There were many architectural styles for the churches.

Carpenters used long lasting materials such as stone and strong wood. Some of the best stone came from France. Cranes and pulleys powered by men and animals were used to haul these stones, especially in the dangerous job of quarrying. The appearance of the cathedrals was magnificent. As one of the largest buildings of its period, they represented the heavens in which people believed was peaceful and serene.

Walls and pillars were massive structures enclosing hundreds of yards. Stone arches and gargoyles were put in various places for decoration. The elevating towers on top of Gothic cathedrals were called fingers pointing to heaven. As the centuries came around the cathedrals changed in the building style although some were still built the same way. The 13 th and 14 th centuries led the way for the Gothic style cathedrals to take place in Europe. The Gothic cathedral, with its spires rising majestically over the towns of northern Europe, is a physical counterpart to the spiritual urge for rising above the earthly.

The Gothic style came into being in France. This style has three main characteristics that make it unique and known as Gothic. First, it is known for its pointed arches that rise above the churches. This not only represents a symbol of Gothic spirituality, but a practicality in engineering. These arches redistributed the thrust of downward force in more equal controllable directions.

Second, it is known for the massive ribbed vaults that are seen along the ceilings of these churches. These ribbed vaults enabled the buildings to achieve new heights. Third, it is known for the flying buttresses that were used to let the outward thrust of the vaults go gracefully to the ground through a series of arches. These were essential to allow the large distinct Gothic windows to be placed in the walls without losing strength. The rounded arch of the Romanesque was quite inelastic because the height of the arch could not be more than half of its width. This limitation hampered the Gothic builders, who sought in their buildings to reach great heights.

In contrast with the massive columns and thick walls of the Romanesque, the architecture of Gothic churches with pointed arches, pinnacles, slender piers, and decorative ornamentation introduced light into the already expanding sense of spaciousness. Gothic cathedrals give the impression of energy forcing its way upward. The sense of vertical space is even more impressive in the interior of these cathedrals. The eye of the observer is drawn upward by piers, which become more slender and light as they progress higher and higher.

Unfortunately, the architects who developed this style are largely unknown. Despite their anonymity, they were among the most innovative practitioners of architecture of all time. The English Gothic evolved from its French counterpart and falls into three major style periods. They were Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular. Each Gothic cathedral or chapel had its own personality. That of Wells Cathedral is in part determined by its scissor arches, which were added to the interior out of engineering necessity about one hundred years after the completion of the main body of the cathedral.

Some of the most remarkable artistic efforts in the Gothic era are its stained glass windows. Stained glass was a craft that developed from the stylized mosaics of the Byzantine and Romanesque. In works of stained glass, the communal spirit of the Gothic was expressed by including the trademarks of the donors. A window from Chartres Cathedral depicting the Death of the Virgin shows the technique of this remarkable craft.

The east windows of Kings College Chapel serve the same instructive purpose. The architecture and stained glass of the Gothic were a complete expression of the peoples faith. The Romanesque cathedrals are defined by their massive structure. They are domed with heavily vaulted structures like the Basilica form. Once inside, you can see that the aisles have narrow sides and are crossed by transepts. The light inside the majestic cathedral comes from the small windows lining the sides.

Of the Gothic type cathedrals, the Notre Dame de Paris is considered a masterpiece of earlier gothic architecture. However, even thought the cathedral is considered gothic, it has some characteristics of earlier Romanesque style. The cathedrals south side overlooks the Seine River and displays one of the famous rose windows. Its west side features rose window, the portals, and many sculptures. Architecture has progressed drastically throughout time, but even today Gothic and Romanesque buildings that exist are masterpieces. They bring the atmosphere of Middle Ages throughout European tows and cities.

People should do everything to protect these beautiful buildings for future generations. Bibliography: Macaulay, David. Cathedral. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1973.

Macdonald, Fiona. A Medieval Cathedral. New York: Peter Bedrock Books, 1991.


Free research essays on topics related to: stained glass, gothic, gothic style, middle ages, gothic cathedrals

Research essay sample on Gothic Cathedrals Stained Glass

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com