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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 9 page research paper that investigates the influence of Louis IX's Sainte-Chapelle on Henry III's Westminster Abbey. The writer discusses the French influence on the Abbey, in general, sums up what is known about Sainte-Chapelle and the Abbey, and concludes that while the French influence on Westminster is definitive, the specific influence of Sainte-Chapelle has yet to be determined. Bibliography lists 12 sources.
Page Count:
9 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khabbsch.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Conqueror in 1066. However, Westminster Abbey, as it is known today, began when Henry III (1216-1272) leveled the original church and rebuilt the structure in honor of St. Edward Work
started on the new abbey on July 6, 1245 (Drew). In the thirteenth century, Henry III greatly appreciated and favored the Rayonnant French Gothic style of architecture, which was flourishing
under the reign of his brother-in-law, King Louis IX of France (Drew). Consequently, Westminster Abbey possesses several conspicuous characteristics, such as flying buttresses, which to make the structure appear as
if it belonged in France (Drew). An examination of the structure of Westminster Abbey reveals the considerable extent of these French influences. However, before proceeding, it is helpful to
know the basic facts about Rayonnant French Gothic architecture. The term "Rayonnant" refers to the characteristic radiating tracery of the rose window, which is a prevailing feature of this style
(Stoddard 289). Rayonnant architecture was popular during the middle period of French Gothic architecture (c. 1240-1350). Martindale asserts that from 1250 to 1300, European art and architecture were dominated, for
the first time, by the French. While the reasons behind this trend are not clear, it has been posited that this was largely due to the influence of the court
of King Louis IX (1226-1270)(Martindale). Around the decade of 1220-1230, it became clear that medieval engineering expertise had reached its limit with building size; therefore, architects from roughly 1230 onward
became less interested in size and showed more concern with decoration (Martindale). This trend provided the impetus for the birth of the Rayonnant style (Martindale). Vertical elements of construction
were emphasized in Rayonnant building construction. The soaring structural elements of this period made it possible to reduce the size of supporting structures, which, in turn, made the enlargement of
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