Research Paper on:
Overview of the Gothic Cathedral's Architectural Style

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
to be that style of architecture and art in art from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. Major elements of form include pointed arches, ribbed vaults and often, large  areas of stained glass. This discussion will examine this style of architecture and its importance in the period. Bibliography lists 5 sources. BBgothca.doc THE GOTHIC CATHEDRAL  Written by B. Bryan Babcock for the Paperstore, Inc., March 2001 Introduction Historians in the seventeenth century who looked at this "new" building style, did not initially know how  to define it, and in one of those legends in history, someone said - well -" it was built by the Goths" -we should call it "gothic." And the  name stuck. Now it is determined to be that style of architecture and art in art from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. Major elements of form include  pointed arches, ribbed vaults and often, large areas of stained glass. This discussion will examine this style of architecture and its importance in the period. Design reflects belief According  to Cole (1993) by the twelfth century "the cathedral had become the focus of urban life." Europeans were more hopeful about their lives, and their church construction reflected their  soaring faith. New techniques allowed the cathedral to be taller as man reached higher for contact with God. Inside the building itself, light streamed through colored glass illuminating  the space and giving a warmer glow to the interior. The building itself seemed to be symbolic of a new connection with the Creator and the medieval believer:  it defined the beginning of "relationship" in faith. As Cathedrals "grew," so did the relevance of religious orders. According to Freeman (1998) monastic orders became an "integral part" of