Historic English Churches: A Guide to Their Construction, Design and Features
Ebook
The ancient churches and cathedrals of England's towns and countryside are among the glories of our national heritage, the church spire one of the quintessential features of the landscape. Yet how were our ancestors able to construct these often substantial edifices without the benefit of modern techniques? How did medieval masons plan, design and oversee their construction? What methods of construction were used to achieve the magnificent church spires and ceilings that we marvel at today? Geoffrey R. Sharpe brings more that forty years of experience of managing and caring for historic buildings to provide a unique guide to the design and construction of our historic churches and cathedrals.
Building a cathedral could require a workforce of 300 to 400 men, the quarrying of 80,000 tons of stone and involve the felling of 1500 trees. How all this was organized, managed and realized is explained in this compelling volume. The author deals with all aspects - from original planning and preparation, to the final construction and decoration. The layout and choice of materials, the construction of the foundations, walls and ceilings, the work of the highly skilled medieval masons, blacksmiths and carpenters are all described and explained. Individual aspects of church architecture such as corbels, tracery and windows, as well as important features of church interiors such as galleries, burial vaults and screens are included. And in a final chapter the author shows the reader how to assess the history and development of a church from the constructional and architectural clues contained within its features. The result is a work that will add a whole new dimension to understanding English church building and architecture.
The ancient churches and cathedrals of England's towns and countryside are among the glories of our national heritage, the church spire one of the quintessential features of the landscape. Yet how were our ancestors able to construct these often substantial edifices without the benefit of modern techniques? How did medieval masons plan, design and oversee their construction? What methods of construction were used to achieve the magnificent church spires and ceilings that we marvel at today? Geoffrey R. Sharpe brings more that forty years of experience of managing and caring for historic buildings to provide a unique guide to the design and construction of our historic churches and cathedrals.
Building a cathedral could require a workforce of 300 to 400 men, the quarrying of 80,000 tons of stone and involve the felling of 1500 trees. How all this was organized, managed and realized is explained in this compelling volume. The author deals with all aspects - from original planning and preparation, to the final construction and decoration. The layout and choice of materials, the construction of the foundations, walls and ceilings, the work of the highly skilled medieval masons, blacksmiths and carpenters are all described and explained. Individual aspects of church architecture such as corbels, tracery and windows, as well as important features of church interiors such as galleries, burial vaults and screens are included. And in a final chapter the author shows the reader how to assess the history and development of a church from the constructional and architectural clues contained within its features. The result is a work that will add a whole new dimension to understanding English church building and architecture.
Introduction
PART 1 : The Construction of Churches
Use of limes and cements; Concrete;Foundations;Wall construction;Masonry classifications;Building Stones; Dressing and working stone; Re-use of old stone; Coade stone; The structural use of buttresses; The medieval mason; Stone stairs and steps; stone windows;vaulting; arches; Pillars, piers and columns; Pilasters and responds; Capitals, bases and plinths; Floors; Church towers; Spires and steeples; Gables; Plasterwork; Metalwork; Historic carpentry;Roof construction; Roof coverings; Doors; Structural use of iron; Making and use of stained glass
PART 2: Church Architecture
The greater churches; Smaller churches and chapels; Saxon churches; Norman churches; Transition to Gothic; Great English cathedrals; Development of the Gothic style; Early English; Decorated; Perpendicular; Features of the building fabric which aid analysis; Porches and vestibules; Arcading; Anchorite cell; Columns, capitals, bases, Piers; Doorways; Windows; Mouldings and ornament;Tracery and foils; Parapets; Cornice; Corbel; Corbel table; Crockets; Regional characteristics of parish churches; Effect of the Renaissance on church design
PART 3: Church Interiors
Bede roll; Vestry; Sacristy; Lairstal; Crypts; Heart burials; Church fixtures and fittings; Pulpitum; Rood screen;Rood loftChancel screen; Parclose screen; Tower screen; Balacchino; Reredos;Triptych; Retable; Gradine; PiscinaLocker; Aumbry; Dole cupboard; Ambo; Reading desk; Sounding board; Church lighting and heating; Church monuments and memorials; Tomb chests; Table tombs;Tester-tombs; Dresser tomb; Wall monuments; Wall tablets; Cartouche; Brass plates' Tide dials;Almonry:Signs and symbols; Church bells
PART 4: Investigating the Development of a Church
Index
- Title: Historic English Churches: A Guide to Their Construction, Design and Features
- Author: Geoffrey R. Sharpe
- Publisher: I.B. Tauris
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9780857731142, 0857731149
- Resource ID: LLS:9780857731142
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-04T09:52:37Z