1. History of Architecture - III
Kurdistan Region-Iraq
Tishk International University
Faculty of Engineering
Architecture Engineering Department
History of Architecture - III 11
Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences
By:
Nizar Najim
Assistant Lecturer

2. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Geographical:
The nations of Western Europe had come into existence.
Germany was the center of the Western Empire, and the kingdoms of France, Italy, & Spain were also becoming strong united states.
Russia, Sweden, & Norway had little to do with Western Europe.
England had become thoroughly united under the Norman Kingdom.
The Map in (Figure 01) gives the general distribution of the various countries in the 13th century.

3. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Geographical:
(figure 01).

4. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Geological (England):
The transport of stone by sea was an important reason for its use in some districts in England,
Brickwork of modern type came into general use about A.D.1300, after been comparatively unused since the departure of the Romans
Terra-Cotta was also employed, as at Layer Marney Towers, Essex ( ), and in parts of Hampton Court Palace.
Where forests afforded abundant material, as in Lancashire, Cheshire, and elsewhere, half-timbered houses were erected, chiefly during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries (Figure 01a).

5. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Geological (England):
(figure 01a).

6. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Geological (France):
The excellent building stone found near Caen aided in the development of the northern Gothic style, and in the mountainous districts of Auvergne the use of colored volcanic material gave a decorative character to the buildings of that district.
Geological (Germany):
The plains of Northern and North Eastern Germany produce no building material but brick, which has a great influence on the architecture in these regions.
Stone was found in the center and south, and timber in Hanover and the north-west.

7. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Climate:
The sun, in Northern Europe, is more suitable for Gothic than Classic Architecture, for it is a sun wheeling somewhat low on an average round the sky, and shadows are better caught by outstanding buttresses and the flying lateral members of the Gothic façade, then by the level lines of the heavy horizontal Classic cornices, which are more effective, under Grecian or Italian sun, which moves higher in the sky.
Snow and stormy weather were responsible for the high pitched Gothic roof of Northern Europe.

8. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Religious:
The great power of the Popes, which was probably at its height in the 13th century, was evidenced in the way they made and unmade Emperors and kings and disposed to their dominions.
The Clergy, as a result of their learning, also took a prominent part in temporal affairs, and by so doing attracted wealth and power to their orders.
In Germany, many of the Abbots and Bishops were princes of the Empire, and the Archbishops of Cologne, Treves, and Mayence were among the Electors of the Emperor.

9. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Religious:
The worship of relics, and of local saints (as S. Hugh at Lincoln, S. Thomas at Canterbury, S. Swithun at Winchester), the periodical pilgrimage, the adoration of the Virgin Mary and other forms of ritual, also had their influence on the monument.
Mariolatry was responsible for the addition of lady chapels either laterally, as at Ely (Figure 02), or at the eastern part, as at Salisbury (Figure 03).
The demand for chapels dedicated to particular saints, for an ambulatory to be used for processional purposes, and the foundation of chantry chapels where masses for the dead could be repeated, also affected the general plan of many buildings.

10. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Religious:
(figure 03).
(figure 02).

11. History of Architecture - III 11. Gothic Architecture:
11.1. Influences:
Social & Political:
The growth of towns which developed into important cities brought about an increase of riches and the erection of magnificent buildings owing to municipal competitions.
In Italy, the country was divided into different portions belonging to the larger towns, which afterwards became principalities (provinces), whereas in Germany, towns joined together for mutual defense, amongst the most famous being those forming the Hanseatic league.

12. History of Architecture - I 11. Gothic Architecture
References:
1. Ching, Francis D.K., “A Global History of Architectural”, Second Edition, John Wiley& Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2011
2. Fletcher, Banister, “A History of Architectural on the Comparative Method”, Fifth Edition, Pradbury, Agnew & Co. Limited Printers, London, 2011
3. KOSTOF SPIRO, “A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals”, Oxford University Press, USA, 1995
4. Mansbridge, John, “Graphic History of Architecture”,
Hennessey & Ingalls, 1999