Cathedrals

=**__CATHEDRALS IN THE EARLY/HIGH MIDDLE AGES__** by Oliver Schor and Owen Madden=

Table of Contents :
 * 1 || Architecture ||
 * 2 || Services and Church members ||
 * 3 || Symbolism ||
 * 4 || History/Background ||

__Architecture:__ Catherdals were usually the most impressive and boldest church(s) within the diocese that they were a member of. Some of the most impressive features that a middle age cathedral consisted of were the vivid and brightley coloured stained glass windows. Another thing commonly found in cathedrals were sculptures, in middle age sculptures were often constructed out of marble. A common sculpture found in cathedrals at the time was of Jesus Christ with his hands and feet nailed to a cross. This sculpture was often placed directly above the altar. The stained glass windows thatcould be found all over cathedral walls were to tell the story of Jesus' life using a sequence of pictures. These pictures were beautifully constructed using colours only available to the rich and elite, which was no obstacle givin the elevated status of the Catholic Church during the middle ages. While such aspects of a middle ages cathedrals never changed like sculptures and stained glass, the overall style of middle age cathedrals began to change over time. The first cathedrals were Romanesque styled. These first cathedrals had features that could be compared to Rome.Everything was made of stone, except for the roof, which was wooden. There were very few windows because of the thick walls that were needed if there was a stone roof. There were flowing arches, and smooth lines.As the years went by the cathedrals began to change and the new preferance of style was Gothic. Some distinct features of a Gothic cathedral are its pointed arches and high ceilings. The arches are pointed because it is supposed to point towards Heaven.



__Services and Church Members:__ During the Middle Ages, the main use of cathedrals were for religion. Attending Cathedral services were believed to help the medieval people get into heaven. Cathedrals held out many services, other than just religious ones. Christenings, weddings, funerals, and coronations also took place in cathedrals. Cathedrals were very expensive and difficult to build and required tons of funds and help. This was not a problem because people would gladly donate funds to please the church, lift their sins, and have a better chance of getting into heaven. Popes were the official head of the Cathedrals though it was the bishop that held out all the services. Furthermore, __Monks educated children and provided other services for the church__. The provost within a Cathedral was in charge of regulating the services and members within a Cathedral. Next in line is the Dean who also looks over to church and its services acting as a helping hand to the provost. Next to the Dean is the Precentor who was in charge of the musical aspects of the Cathedrals. Another job within the Cathedral was the Chancellor who acted as a superintendent to the schools, and as a secretary and librarian.The last main member of the clergy within the Cathedral was the Treasurer. The Treasurer regulated the money and decorations of the Cathedral. These are the services the church provided and the positions within.

__Symbolism:__ Cathedrals had symbolic functions. Building of Cathedrals reflected faith. Cathedrals were built facing either the east of west so that the sun would represent Christ rising. Cathedrals also had many crosses oriented all around the inside and outside, symbolising the cross Jesus was crucified on. The shape of the church is often that of a cross as well. The Cathedral is split up into many different sections, each holding its own purpose. The main part of the Cathedral was called the nave and was where communion was held and worshippers came together. Nave means ship in Latin and represents God helping people through storms of life. The branches of the cross contain a chapels and are called the transepts. Further on into the Cathedral, there is the sanctuary, where blessed sacrament is held on an altar. West European Cathedrals represent the Christians souls progression toward salvation. Overall, Cathedrals symbolized a sort of paradise for the people and as earth and heaven.

__History:__ The word cathedral derives from Greek and translates to the seat of the bishop. As most cathedral are of great stature and architectural beauty it is not required for a cathedral to be an impressive structure and in some rare cases cathedrals were rather modest and humble. These humble cathedrals were usually located in areas where there were very little people( places such as Scotland and Ireland), which would mean that the church in that location would not be as rich and would not be able to construct such a immense and imposing cathedral. Cathedrals were not just homes of bishop's seats and houses of worship, but were also home to monks and their monasteries. The construction of cathedrals was a very time consuming and relatively simple but difficult task. Those who were given the job of creating such a religious masterpiece were only armed with a few simple and small tools. The construction of a cathedral took a very long time and in some cases hundreds of years. __For a bit of reference, the **Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família** in Spain is still under-construction even though the build started in 1882.__ Although the **Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família** is not a cathedral, it gives the person(s) reference to how long construction of a cathedral may take. __Most cathedrals in the middle ages actually did not have chairs or benches__. The worshipper must have had to sit on the cold stone floor or stand up, either would be quite uncomfortable after long periods of time. Also the cathedral was used to hold the kings speeches as it was a public place.



__**For further more information about cathedrals build in the middle ages please visit:**__

__**http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/rubrique1.html**__

"Cathedrals." //:: The Middle Ages//. Themiddleages.net, 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. .
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