The architecture of the middle ages
Art in the Middle ages was inseparable from religion. Ii was infused with spiritual symbolism and meaning. The purpose оf art was to awe and inspire the viewer with the grandeur of God. It also served to symbolize what people believed.. Architecture is about evolution, not revolution. Style of architecture used in England in the 11th and 12th centuries, also known as Romanesque. Norman buildings are massive, with round arches (although trefoil arches are sometimes used for small openings. Examples in England include the Keep of the tower of London and parts of the cathedrals of Chichester, Gloucester, and Ely.
The Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London is a historic monument in central London. The Tower of London is often identified with the White tower, the original stark square fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1078. However, the tower as a whole is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls nut a moat. The tower's primary function was a fortress, a royal palace, and a prison (particularly for high status and royal prisoners, such as the Princes in the Tower and the future Queen Elizabeth I), It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the UK. They used to be called Saxon, but because they represent only a cruder form of Continental Romanesque, whereas those built after 1066 are called Conquest Romanesque.
Surviving buildings of the Post Conquest Romanesque or Norman period (1066-1200), consist almost entirely of churches and castles.
Gothic architecture in Britain has been neatly divided into 4 periods, or styles.
The term "Gothic" itself needs some explaining. The original style of building - one might call it a philosophy of architecture - sprang up in the lie de France, and w as known during the Middle Ages as "the French Style".
Quick Reference:
Norman Gothic 1066-1200
Early English Gothic 1200-1275
Decorated Gothic 1275-1375
Perpendicular Gothic 1375 - 1530
Gothic architecture emphasized strong vertical lines, high vaulted ceilings, minimal wall space, pointed window and door openings, and buttressed walls. But these characteristic Gothic themes did not spring into being overnight.
The Tudor style
Tudor style descriptive of the English architecture and decoration of the first half of the 16th century, prevails during the reigns (1485-1558) of Henry VII. Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary I. It is the first of the transitional styles between Gothic Perpendicular and Palladian architecture. In these the fortified character of earlier times gave way to increased domesticity and privacy. Although the great hall still remained the focus of the establishment, its importance now decreased with the introduction of other rooms such as parlors, studies, bedrooms in greater number, and quarters for dining. Rooms frequently were fitted with oak paneling, often of linen-fold type; walls and ceilings received rich plaster relief ornament; and articles of furniture came into greater use. Domestic exteriors exhibited Perpendicular features in modified form, notably square-headed. mullioned windows and arched openings of the four-centered or so-called Tudor type. Other characteristics were the use of brickwork combined with half-timber, high pinnacled gables, bay or oriel windows, and numerous chimneys of decorative form. Principal Tudor examples are parts of Hampton Court Palace, begun in 1515, many colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, countrv manors include Sutton Place, Surrey; Layer Mamey, Essex; and the splendid Compton Wynyates, Warwick.
THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE XVII-XX CENTURIES
The history of English architecture in the l9th century is more complicated than in any century that preceded it, because it includes more than one ‘revival’ of earlier styles beginning with a lengthy competition between the Classic and Gothic schools. As long before as 1753 Horace Walpole had built an ornate and picturesque villa m the 'Gothic' style (Strawberry Hill). A passion for romance and the days of chivalry arose about the same time, and rich noblemen erected sham ruins ('Gothic’ as well as 'Roman’) as ornamental features in their parks. Here and there a belated specimen of Gothic church architecture was built; but it was not until 1818, when Parliament voted a million pounds for building new Anglican churches, that the real Gothic boom began. Out of 214 churches provided under the Act, no less than 174 were in a Gothic or near Gothic style. One of the best specimens is St.Luke's, Chelsea, London (1820-1824).
The House of Parliament
The Palace of Westminster, also called as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, in London, is where the two Houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (The House of Lords and the House of commons) meet. The palace lies on the north bank of the River Themes in the London borough of the City of Westminster, close to the goventment buildings of Whitehall. The palace contains around 1,100 rooms, 100 staircases and 4.8 kilometres (3mi) of corridors. Although the building mainly dates from the 19th century, remaining elements of the original historic buildings include Westminster Hall, used today for major public ceremonial events.
The Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is an arts venue situated in the Knightsbridge area of the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941. The Royal Albert Hall is one of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, recognisable the world over. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from every kind of performance genre have appeared on its stage. Each year it hosts more than 350 performances including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera, tennis, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and lavish banquets. The Hall was originally supposed to have been called The Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but the name was changed by Queen Victoria to Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences when laying the foundation stone as a dedication to her deceased husband and consort Prince Albert.