Fortress-Churches of Languedoc: Architecture, Religion and Conflict in the High Middle Ages - Hardcover

Bonde, Sheila

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521450845 ISBN 13: 9780521450843

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1994

Synopsis

Fortress-Churches of Languedoc traces the changing relationship between military and religious realms as expressed in architecture across medieval Europe. The scholarship of medieval architecture has traditionally imposed a division between military and ecclesiastical structures. Often, however, medieval churches were provided with fortified enclosures, crenellations, iron-barred doors and other elements of defence, demonstrating the strong link between Church and state, and the military and religious realms. In her study of fortress-churches, Sheila Bonde focuses on three twelfth-century monuments in southern France - Maguelone, Agde and Saint-Pon-de-Thomière, which are among the earliest examples of the type. She analyses her archaeological surveys of these structures, and also re-examines their documentation, which is here presented both in the original Latin and in English translations. The book also explores the larger context of fortification and authority in twelfth-century Languedoc and examines the dynamics of architectural exchange and innovation in the Mediterranean at a moment of critical historical importance.

About this title

Book Description

This book traces the relationship between military and religious realms as expressed in architecture across medieval Europe. The book also explores the larger context of fortification and authority in twelfth-century Languedoc and examines the dynamics of architectural exchange and innovation in the Mediterranean at a historically critical period.

From the Back Cover

Fortress-Churches of Languedoc traces the changing relationship between military and religious realms as expressed in the architecture of medieval Europe. The scholarship of medieval architecture has traditionally imposed a division between military and ecclesiastical structures. Often, however, medieval churches were provided with fortified enclosures, crenellations, iron-barred doors, and other elements of defense. In her study of fortress-churches, Sheila Bonde focuses on three twelfth-century monuments located in southern France - Maguelone, Agde, and Saint-Pons-de-Thomiere, which are among the earliest examples of the type. She provides new surveyed plans of these structures, as well as a reexamination of their documentation, which is here presented both in the original Latin and in new English translations. Fortress-Churches of Languedoc also explores the larger context of fortification and authority in twelfth-century Languedoc and examines the dynamics of architectural exchange and innovation in the Mediterranean at a moment of critical historical importance.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0521450845
• ISBN 13: 9780521450843
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 288