[READING COMPREHENSION 3]

[1] Compare and contrast the cathedrals according to the matrix. To illustrate your post, hand draw a view of your “main” cathedral, scan it and place it at the top of your response. Your written thoughts should fully illuminate the questions asked with each cathedral pairing on the website. Strive for 250-300 words total for this response. Include additional images, as applicable, if you wish. Also check out the west vs. east page and digest what is written there.

SALISBURY VS AMIENS: TOWN: examines the impact of what comes first, cathedral or town.

The Salisbury and Amiens Cathedral were both constructed in the same year (1220).  However, the main difference between both cathedrals is the location in which they were built. The Salisbury cathedral was built on new ground outside the old city of Sarum.  In contrast, the Amiens Cathedral was built in Amiens, the chief city of Picardy.  An important difference here is they built the cathedral around the city.  One can visually see the difference between both structures. Salisbury has the freedom to spread out as far into the horizon while Amiens is constrained to the city’s parameters.  The cathedral in Amiens was impelled to be constructed vertically instead of horizontally. Salisbury took advantage of this by creating more open spaces. It has the courtyard to the side, which highlights its ability to take advantage of the land. Shortly after, a trading center for wool and cloth grew up around the Salisbury cathedral.  

SALISBURY VS COLOGNE: LIGHT: Unites all gothic cathedrals in contrast to the “dark ages”

SALISBURY VS FLORENCE: IMPRESSION: first glimpses provide colorful language for examination.

[2] This illustration from A Medieval Home Companion depicts woman at work in a medieval interior. Unfortunately, the image is closely cropped so we don’t see much of the rest of the dwelling in which she works. Using Harwood and Roth, complete the rest of the scene using words and images to demonstrate your understanding of the domestic medieval interior.

Great halls  were a centralized location for most various activities would take place. These great halls  were consisting of a dais, a screen and a hearth to warm the space and in some instances a minstrel’s gallery.  Interior décor was influenced mostly by rich if not saturated colors of red, blue green white and brown. Lighting was a challenge because heat was paramount most lighting was supplied by fire, candles, fire place, torches, or lamps. Stone, brick, clay, or even dirt would define the floors. Walls were graced with wood paneling and or stone, windows sometimes nonexistent were small in nature due to outside threats. Vaulted ceilings beams or timber roofs were prevalent were as furniture was very limited including items such as beds and tables.