Medieval contemporaries described the style as Latin: opus Francigenum, lit.'French work' or 'Frankish work', as opus modernum, 'modern work', novum opus, 'new work', or as See more

Early Gothic
Norman architecture on either side of the English Channel developed in parallel towards Early Gothic. Gothic features, such as the See more

Pointed arches
The defining characteristic of the Gothic style is the pointed arch, which was widely used in both structure and decoration. The pointed arch did not … See more

Gothic architecture was a continual search for greater height, thinner walls, and more light. This was clearly illustrated in the evolving elevations of … See more

The Gothic style of architecture was strongly influenced by the Romanesque architecture which preceded it; by the growing population and wealth of European cities, and … See more

In England, partly in response to a philosophy propounded by the Oxford Movement and others associated with the emerging revival of … See more

The plan of Gothic cathedrals and churches was usually based on the Latin cross (or "cruciform") plan, taken from the ancient Roman Basilica, and from the later Romanesque churches. They have a long nave making the body of the church, where the parishioners … See more