AH Ch 12 Romanesque Keywords

Ambulatory

A semicircular walkway around the apse.

Apocalyptic Vision

A vision of the Second Coming of Christ seated in majesty.

Arch

Crossing across a nave.

Archivolt

A molded band framing an arch.

Barrel vaulting

A semi-cylindrical structure made up of successive arches.

Bay

Subdivision of the interior space of a building.

Campanile

Bell tower of a church.

Cloister

A monastery courtyard usually with covered walkways.

Compound Piers

Piers with columns or pilasters attached to the rectangular cores.

Crusades

Armed pilgrimages aimed at recovering the Holy Land from the Turks.

Crypt

Vaulted space under part of a building in churches under the apse.

Embroidery

Designs sewn on the cloth with threads.

Feudalism

The political, social and economic system which governed medieval society in Europe.

Groin Vault

The result of the intersection of two barrel vaults which produces a bay of four compartments.

Indulgence

A remission of whole or part of the temporal punishment due to sin.

Jamb

Side posts of a doorway.

Pilgrimage Choir

In a Romanesque choir, this consists of apse, ambulatory and radiating chapels.

Pilgrimage Type Church

One visited by many of the groups of faithful to venerate relics of the saints for grace and indulgences.

Portal

Monumental doorway usually decorated with elaborate embellishment.

Quadripartite Vaulting

Four part vaulting system.

Radiating Chapels

A series of small chapels for the display of relics, arranged around an ambulatory.

Relics

Bits of bones, clothing or instruments of torture revered by the faithful as instruments of healing.

Reliquary

A chest or repository for the keeping or displaying of relics.

Ribs

Supporting arches along the groins of the vaults.

Romanesque (1050-1200)

A heavy, solid architectural style characterized by round arches, great stone portals, rich decoration and massive stone walls.

Sexpartite Vaulting

Six part vaulting system.

Springing

The lowest stone of an arch.

Tapestry

Designs woven into cloth.

Tribunes

Upper galleries over the inner aisle opening down into nave for overflow crowds.

Trumeau

A central post supporting a lintel.

Tympanum

A prominent semi-circular lunette above a doorway.