Romanesque (Part Four).

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unless otherwise stated.

Cathedral of Saint Peter 

and Church of Our Lady,

Trier, Germany, at night.

Photo: 18 December 2004.

Source: Own work.

Author: Benutzer:Josef Thiel.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Cathedral of Saint Peter 

and Church of Our Lady,

Trier, Germany.

Deutsch: Trierer Dom.

Photo: 10 June 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The system of Monasticism, in which the Religious become Members of an Order, with common ties and a common rule, living in a mutually-dependent Community, rather than as a group of Hermits living in proximity, but essentially separate, was established by the Monk, Benedict, in the 6th-Century.

The Benedictine Monasteries spread from Italy throughout Europe, being always, by far, the most numerous in England. They were followed by the Cluniac Order, the Cistercians, Carthusians and Augustinian Canons. In association with the Crusades, the Military Orders of the Knights Hospitaller and the Knights Templar were founded.

The Monasteries, which sometimes also functioned as Cathedrals, and the Cathedrals that had bodies of Secular Clergy, often living in Community, were a major source of power in Europe. Bishops, and the Abbots of important Monasteries, lived and functioned like Princes. The Monasteries were the major Seats of Learning, of all sorts. Benedict had ordered that all the Arts were to be taught and practised in the Monasteries. Within the Monasteries, books were transcribed by hand, and few people outside the Monasteries could read or write.

English: Basilica of Saint-Sernin, Toulouse, France.

Français: Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse.

Photo: 7 July 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: PMRMaeyaert.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In France, Burgundy was the centre of Monasticism. The enormous and powerful Monastery at Cluny was to have lasting effect on the layout of other Monasteries and the design of their Churches. Unfortunately, very little of the Abbey Church at Cluny remains; the "Cluny II" re-building of 963 A.D., onwards, has completely vanished, but we have a good idea of the design of "Cluny III" from 1088–1130, which, until the Renaissance, remained the largest building in Europe. However, the Church of Saint Sernin, at Toulouse, 1080 – 1120, has remained intact and demonstrates the regularity of Romanesque design with its modular form, its massive appearance and the repetition of the simple arched window motif.

One of the effects of the Crusades, which were intended to wrest the Holy Places of Palestine from Islamic control, was to excite a great deal of religious fervour, which, in turn, inspired great building programmes. The Nobility of Europe, upon safe return, thanked God by the building of a new Church or the enhancement of an old one. Likewise, those who did not return from the Crusades could be suitably commemorated by their family in a work of stone and mortar.

Español: Basílica de Santiago, Galicia, Spain.

English: Basilica of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.

Photo: 7 February 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: Vasco Roxo.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Crusades resulted in the transfer of, among other things, a great number of Holy Relics of Saints and Apostles. Many Churches, like Saint-Front, Périgueux, had their own home-grown Saint, while others, most notably Santiago de Compostela, claimed the remains and the patronage of a powerful Saint, in this case one of the Twelve Apostles. 

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. Most of the pilgrims travelled the Way of Saint James on foot, many of them bare-footed as a sign of penance. They moved along one of the four main routes that passed through France, congregating for the journey at Jumièges, Paris, Vézelay, Cluny, Arles and Saint Gall, in Switzerland. They crossed two passes in the Pyrenees and converged into a single stream to traverse North-West Spain. 

Along the route, they were urged on by those pilgrims returning from the journey. On each of the routes, Abbeys, such as those at Moissac, Toulouse, Roncesvalles, Conques, Limoges and Burgos, catered for the flow of people and grew wealthy from the passing trade. Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, in the Berry Province, is typical of the Churches that were founded on the pilgrim route.

Like many Castles built by Crusader Knights, 

the Inner Fortress of Krak des Chevaliers, Syria, 

was mainly constructed in this period, 

with the Outer Walls being added later.

Photo: 26 December 2007 (upload date).

Source: Own work.

Author: Jerzy Strzelecki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The general impression given by Romanesque architecture, in both ecclesiastical and secular buildings, is one of massive solidity and strength. In contrast with both the preceding Roman and later Gothic architecture, in which the load-bearing structural members are, or appear to be, Columns, Pilasters and Arches, Romanesque architecture, in common with Byzantine architecture, relies upon its walls, or sections of walls, called Piers.

Romanesque architecture is often divided into two periods, known as the "First Romanesque" style and the "Romanesque" style. The difference is chiefly a matter of the expertise with which the buildings were constructed. The First Romanesque employed rubble walls, smaller windows and un-vaulted roofs. A greater refinement marks the Second Romanesque, along with increased use of the Vault and Dressed Stone.

Castle Rising, Norfolk, England, shows flat Buttresses and reinforcing

at the corners of the building, typical in both Castles and Churches.

Castle Rising Castle is a ruined Castle, situated in the village of Castle Rising,

in the English County of Norfolk. It was built about 1138 by William d'Aubigny,

1st Earl of Arundel, who also owned Arundel Castle.

Much of its Square Keep, surrounded by a defensive Mount, is intact.

It is currently owned by Lord Howard of Rising, a descendant of William d'Aubigny.

The walls of Romanesque buildings are often of massive thickness, with few, and comparatively small, openings. They are often double shells, filled with rubble.

The building material differs greatly across Europe, depending upon the local stone and building traditions. In Italy, Poland, much of Germany, and parts of the Netherlands, brick is generally used. Other areas saw extensive use of limestone, granite and flint. The building stone was often used in comparatively small and irregular pieces, bedded in thick mortar. Smooth ashlar masonry was not a distinguishing feature of the style, particularly in the earlier part of the period, but occurred chiefly where easily-worked limestone was available.

PART FIVE FOLLOWS.