Chapter 12 Romanesque Keywords

Ambulatory 

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 armed 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. The nave was increased in length; the side aisles were doubled and extended around the ambulatory to facilitate the flow of crowds

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, which were arranged around an ambulatory

Relics 

bits of bones, clothing or instruments of torture were revered by the faithful as instruments of healing       

Reliquary

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 which was characterized by round arches, great stone portals, rich decoration and massive stone walls.

Sexpartite Vaulting

six part vaulting system

Springing

lowest stone of an arch

Tapestry

designs were woven into cloth

Tribunes

upper galleries over the inner aisle and opening down into nave for over flow crowds

Trumeau

central post supporting a lintel

Tympanum  

a prominent semi circular lunette above a doorway