Widespread throughout western Europe during the Middle Ages, it lasted from the 12th to the early 17th century. Gothic is the architecture of the pointed arch, the rib vault, the flying buttress, window tracery, pinnacles, and spires. By the 15th century walls are reduced to a minimum by large arcades, huge windows, with an emphasis on verticality. During the long building campaigns of the Middle Ages, the style evolved from simple pointed forms, with plain windows, to the highly elaborate vaults and decorative tracery seen from the 14th century. Gothic is mostly dominated by church architecture during this period, but is also seen in collegiate architecture, notably at Oxford and Cambridge. At the same time, the role of the medieval architect or master mason develops from a mere stonemason in the early Middle Ages, to one of middling or higher rank during the more literate and sophisticated 15th century. It was also complex and multifunctional, but fundamentally, the art of design and knowledge of craft was rooted in the practical tradition of the mason’s craft, dependent on separate skilled specialisms. As building was a collaborative and lengthy process, the individual contributions are often difficult to determine.
What to look for in a Gothic building:
Pointed arches and windows
Vaulting
Tracery and decorative stonework
Vertical Emphasis
Explore these galleries from the RIBA Collections illustrating the main features of Gothic Architecture
For further reading on Gothic Architecture below is a selection of books from the British Architectural Library on the subject:
Medieval Architecture by Nicola Coldstream. Library Reference: 72.033.4/.5(4) // COL
The Decorated Style: arcihtecture and ornament 1240-1360 by Nicola Coldstream. Library Reference: 72.033.4/.5(41/42) // COL
Masons and Sculptors by Nicola Coldstream. Library Reference: 72.033.4/.5 // COL
The Cathedral Builders by Jean Gimpel translated [from the French] by Teresa Waugh. Library Reference: 726.6.033.4/.5 // GIM
NOTES: Construction on this cathedral began in 1079 in Norman style. The nave was completely remodelled in Perpendicular style to designs by master mason William Wynford and was completed in the 1400s.
NOTES: The rebuilding of the Minster in Gothic styles began between 1230 and 1241 with the southern wing of the transept, built by Archbishop de Gray. The nave was built in 1291-1321.
NOTES: Most of the cathedral dates from the 13th century when it was rebuilt in Gothic style under the leadership of St Hugh, Bishop from 1186-1200. The west front incorporates the surviving part of the first Romanesque cathedral dating from 1072.
NOTES: Built between 1136 and 1536 and located on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, Tintern was the second Cistercian foundation in Britain and the first in Wales.
NOTES: This Benedictine abbey was consecrated in 1180. The walls and windows of the upper storey of the abbey were remodelled at the beginning of the 14th century. It was dissolved in 1539 and served as the parish church thereafter.
NOTES: Most of the cathedral dates from the 13th century when it was rebuilt in Gothic style under the leadership of St Hugh, Bishop from 1186-1200. The west front incoporates the surviving part of the first Romanesque cathedral dating from 1072.
NOTES: Considered an outstanding example of Norman and Early English architecture, this church was built between 1120 and 1286. It became the Cathedral Church of Nottinghamshire in 1884. Extensive restoration, which included the rebuilding of the nave roof, was undertaken by Ewan Christian in 1851-1888.
NOTES: The cathedral was built between 1220 and 1258. The chapter house was built between 1263 and 1284. The tower and the spire were completed by c.1330.
NOTES: Originally an abbey church, construction began in 1182. The western end of the nave and the central tower were completed by 1193. The western transept and great west front portico were completed by 1238, the year of consecration. The older Norman tower was rebuilt in 1350-1380. It became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Peterborough in 1541.
NOTES: Originally an abbey church, construction began in 1182. The western end of the nave and the central tower were completed by 1193. The western transept and great west front portico were completed by 1238, the year of consecration. The older Norman tower was rebuilt in 1350-1380. It became the Cathedral of the new Diocese of Peterborough in 1541.
NOTES: The lower two thirds of the west tower is 12th century while the upper third was added c. 1400. The unfinished transept dates from the third quarter of the 12th century.
NOTES: Construction on the original cathedral began in 1180 and was completed by the Lady Chapel in 1326. The nave was completed in 1220-1229. The scissor-arches (inverted strainer arches) were built c. 1338-1348 to support the tower when the foundations of the two western piers sank into the ground.
NOTES: Construction on the Abbey, officially known as Church of St Mary the Virgin in Tewkesbury, began in 1090. It was consecrated in 1121 and completed by 1150. The shining suns were the emblem of the Yorkists and are said to have been added by Edward IV after the defeat of the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury in 1471, the last important battle of the Wars of the Roses.
NOTES: The cathedral was built between 1220 and 1258. The chapter house was built between 1263 and 1284. The tower and the spire were completed by c.1330.
NOTES: The first church for this large Cistercian monastery, founded by St Bernard of Clairvaux in 1132, was built between 1135 and 1145. The monastic buildings were extended in 1145-1167 and the chancel was rebuilt in a more elaborate style in c.1230. The abbey was dissolved in 1538.
NOTES: This photograph is dated between 1858 and 1865. Lincoln was begun in 1072, but was almost totally destroyed in the earthquake of 1185, leaving only the base of the West Front of the original structure.The new cathedral was begun in 1192 and esentially completed by 1400.
NOTES: Ulrich von Ensingen, one of the greatest German medieval master masons, was responsible the elegant octagonal stage of the tower at Strasbourg Cathedral and the north-west spire, seen here.
NOTES: Know as the 'Lantern of the North', this cathedral was established at Elgin in 1224. The cathedral and chanonry were badly damaged by fire in 1270, 1390 and 1402. It was abandoned in 1560 and left to fall into steady decay.
NOTES: Know as the 'Lantern of the North', this cathedral was established at Elgin in 1224. The cathedral and chanonry were badly damaged by fire in 1270, 1390 and 1402. It was abandoned in 1560 and left to fall into steady decay.