Mediaeval Church Vaulting
1915
Mediaeval Church Vaulting, written by Clarence Ward and first published in 1915, is a scholarly examination of architectural techniques used in Gothic church vaulting. The book analyzes the evolution of vaulting methods and their impact on ecclesiastical architecture, emphasizing the transition from wooden roofs to masonry vaults for fire safety. Ward systematically outlines various types of vaults, their historical origins, and their aesthetic significance, providing insights into how these structural elements shaped medieval church design.
About Mediaeval Church Vaulting
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction
- Ward establishes the importance of vaulting in medieval architecture and outlines his systematic approach to analyzing different vaulting types. He emphasizes the connection between vaulting and lighting problems, and introduces the concept of regional architectural schools.
- I
- Comprehensive analysis of Romanesque and Gothic nave vaulting systems, from domes on pendentives through tunnel vaults to complex ribbed systems. Ward examines regional schools including Perigord, Provence, Auvergne, and the development of sexpartite and four-part ribbed vaults.
- II
- Examination of vaulting systems used in church transepts and crossings, including tunnel vaults, domes, and specialized crossing towers. Ward discusses how these areas required different structural solutions due to their unique positions in the church plan.
Key Themes
- Structural Innovation
- The evolution from simple tunnel vaults to complex ribbed systems represents medieval builders' continuous quest for better structural solutions. Ward demonstrates how each innovation solved specific problems while creating new challenges.
- Regional Architectural Schools
- Different geographical regions developed distinct vaulting traditions based on local materials, climate, and cultural influences. The schools of Perigord, Provence, Auvergne, and others each contributed unique solutions.
- Light and Structure
- The fundamental tension between structural requirements and the need for adequate interior lighting drove many innovations. Ward shows how vaulting forms were often determined by clerestory window arrangements.
Characters
- Clarence Ward(protagonist)
- Associate Professor of Architecture at Rutgers College and Lecturer at Princeton University. The author systematically analyzes medieval church vaulting techniques across different architectural schools and periods.
- A. M.(minor)
- The person to whom Ward dedicates this work, described as providing lasting inspiration to the author.
- Professor Howard Crosby Butler(minor)
- Princeton University professor who provided personal assistance in the preparation and reading of Ward's work.
- Professor Frank Jewett Mather, Jr.(minor)
- Princeton University professor who assisted Ward in the preparation and subsequent reading of the manuscript.
- Professor Allan Marquand(major)
- Princeton University professor under whose inspiration and encouragement Ward undertook this comprehensive study of medieval vaulting.
- Lanfranc(minor)
- Born in Pavia in 1005, became prior of Bec, abbot of Saint Étienne at Caen, and archbishop of Canterbury. May have influenced Norman-Lombard architectural connections.
