Lecture 16 - The Medieval European Landscape

Bayeux Tapestry.

Attacking a castle in Brittany, in northwest France. Note that the castle appears to be a wooden structure on top of a mound. This type of fortification is called a motte. add pic from slide

Beaumaris Castle. Anglesey, Wales (begun 1295).

Begun by Edward I in his campaign to subjugate Wales.

Dover Castle. England.

Henry III:

Medieval Landholding: the Medieval fief (manor)

In the period ca. 900-1200, the English village develops as the basic form of settlement under the manor system. In this political and economic system, lords own land and offer protection to the peasants who work the land. In turn, the peasants provide labor and surplus to the lords. This system derives wealth from agriculture rather than from trade.

St. Riquier. Centula [Picardy], France (consecrated 790).

Plan of St. Michael (right) continues the double-ended basilica plan with two transepts, seen earlier at St. Riquier (above).

Speyer Cathedral. Speyer, Germany (begun 1030).

Very large scale--about 435' long, nave width of about 45' and height of 107'. add pic from slide

Chapel of Thomas Becket. Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

What style is this?

Castle Types

A castle combines residential and military functions, both of which have utilitarian and symbolic functions. In addition, many castles in England serve economic roles, protecting trade routes and markets.

Medieval fief (manor)

A church often lay near the center of the village.

Map of mottes, ringworks and early castles in England

About 1000 mottes known in British Isles, although many other sites undoubtedly have been erased by later development. Types of castle development in England: • Motte and bailey • Keep • Inner courtyard wall and moat

A Crusader castle: Krak des Chevaliers. Qalaat el Hosn, Syria (1100-1220)

An example of a Crusader castle using advanced fortification techniques, Krak des Chevaliers is expanded during the Crusades and is besieged several times.

The Ottonians and St. Michael. Hildesheim, Germany (1001-1033).

Attempt by Ottonian dynasty to revive glory of Carolingian period. St. Michael is built by Otto III and Bishop Bernwald as the site of the crypt of the royal dynasty. It is an example of early Romanesque architecture. Romanesque is a term coined by art historians that refers to buildings in Europe from about 1000 to 1200 that share certain characteristics, including heavy masonry, round arches, and simple massing. It should not be confused with "Roman."

The Norman Conquest and the Bayeux Tapestry.

Bayeux Tapestry, probably produced in the late 11th century, shows the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror. This scene shows King Edward the Confessor in London.

Santa Sabina. Rome (422-432).

Bishop Bernwald had spent time in Rome, living near Santa Sabina.

The Salians and Speyer Cathedral. Speyer, Germany (begun 1030).

Built by Salian Dynasty, which derives from earlier Ottonian Dynasty

Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

Emphasis on role of castle as showpiece. Routes to castle from London and from sea are carefully contrived.

Speyer Cathedral. Speyer, Germany (begun 1030).

Exterior alterations of late 11th and 12th centuries are related to style of Lombardy in Italy.

Tower of London.

Exterior appearance and internal arrangements suggest a defensive purpose, but also imply the desire to impress visitors.

Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

Gate and outer walls provide outer line of defense. After the siege of 1216, stronger gates, additional stone walls, and tunnels are built to address weak points.

Keep. Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

Great Chamber (at left) was one of the two large rooms inside the keep.

Where to build castles?

If military strength were the primary criterion, castles would be constructed on high ground. However, the siting of castles involves many needs: Bodiam Castle is an example of a castle that was not built primarily for military purposes (you do not have to know this building for the exam). add pic from slide

Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

Largest castle in England. William the Conqueror adds to existing fort in 1066. Current form of castle begun under Henry II in late 1100s. Dover at important coastal site-controls shortest sea route to continental lands held by English kings.

Speyer Cathedral. Speyer, Germany (begun 1030).

Massiveness, simplicity and vaulting look back to Roman, part of developments in Romanesque architecture. add pic from slide

Tower of London. England (begun 1078). Bishop Gundulf of Rochester for William the Conqueror.

Most early castles built by William are inside cities. The Tower of London is built inside corner of old Roman city wall.

Beaumaris Castle. Anglesey, Wales (begun 1295).

Note large openings in gatehouse. Many large rooms and residential suites intended for king, prince, officers, etc.

Krak des Chevaliers. Qalaat el Hosn, Syria (1100-1220)

Note sloping inner walls, complex entry.

Hod Hill. Dorset, England. -- Castles before 1066 -- Types of hill fort ramparts or ringworks (top)

Ringworks are common in England prior to Norman invasion. Hod Hill is an Iron Age fort that is taken by the Romans in the 1st c. CE.

St. Michael. Hildesheim, Germany (1001-1033).Santa Sabina. Rome (422-432).

Romanesque architecture was characterized by relatively simple forms, heavy masonry, and spatial containment.

Bayeux Tapestry.

Scene showing deaths of the supporters of the English king Harold Godwinson, the successor to Edward the Confessor.

Crypt. Speyer Cathedral. Speyer, Germany (begun 1030).

Speyer serves as crypt for Salian Dynasty. Note groin vaulting.

Keep. Dover Castle. England (12th century and later).

The Dover keep is the most elaborate of the rectangular royal keeps that began with the Tower of London.

Conflict and Castles

The Mediterranean at the turn of the millennium.

Church Architecture

The Mediterranean in 830 add pic from slide

St. Michael. Hildesheim, Germany (1001-1033).

The bronze doors are the largest bronze commissions since the Classical era.

White Tower, Tower of London (1078 and later).

The large windows date from a much later era when the keep functioned mainly as a residence.

Why build castles after 1066?

The old explanation is that the new Norman rulers used castles to pacify the land, but castles were not purely military constructions. Other motives for castle construction: • appropriation and replacement of existing centers of power • creation of symbol of authority: castles show rank and dignity of lord • attempts by lords to expand their territory

Chapel. Tower of London.

These simple, massive forms and round arches characterize Romanesque architecture.

Inner courtyard wall and moat. Beaumaris Castle. Anglesey, Wales (begun 1295).

Why such a large, expensive, beautiful castle when native Welsh castles are much smaller and less imposing?

Motte and Bailey castles

motte: raised earth mound (not to be confused with "moat") bailey: walled courtyard Many motte and bailey castles built in England and France following Norman Conquest. Motte is brought to England by Normans. Ruler generally lives atop motte.

Castles after 1066:Who is building castles in England after the Norman Conquest?

• royalty: foundation of royal castles, usually in existing cities • major lords: granting of lordships by king to individual lords, who then build own castles in countryside • knights: granting of land by lords to their knights