In the early days of monasteries, outsiders were encouraged to attend teaching for the effectual purpose of learning to read and write, establishing a "publication firm" for the word of God. These non-monastic schools were replaced in the late 1100's with schools provided by the papal monarchy to support such institutions of higher learning. These centers of growing townships during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries were called "cathedral schools" Income set aside for one school teacher to instruct all within the schools provided literacy and basic training for those entering the established priesthood. The goal of the papal monarchy was to acquire individuals to read and re-write church records, documents of importance, and the gospel itself.
The architectural style of these early cathedral schools, called Romanesque style, with its rounded arch and large piers, reflected how man, at this time was confined to simplicity and utility. Still much the basic design of the huge fortresses erected to protect kings and their kingdoms from outside aggression, the massive stone walls and slotted windows reflected man's inability to "see" beyond simple theology based on needs of man for his creator. This all would account for such primary accent on uniformity of construction concerning these schools.
An underlying theorem of philosophy and theology of the thirteenth century was that God created the universe according to scientific principals, much as a draftsman or engineer renders a building design with angles and geometric formulas, used to create certain lines of interest. This new "line" of thought is evident in the "Gothic" style cathedrals which began to replace the horizontal lines and cold, dark features of the earlier Romanesque style buildings. One of the most intricate styles, Gothic architecture shows a creation involving painted arches, ribbed vaulting and flying buttresses. Such design made it possible to create loftier constructs. The stone more encased the glass of these magnificent structures, than the windows simply serving as portals to the outside world.
Other such features of the Gothic cathedrals included lofty spires, rose windows, and delicate stone work with elaborate facades. These facades featured multiple columns and the use of gargoyles or mythical monster representations as ornamental devices. Embellishment was generally reserved for the exterior of these cathedrals. Other than the stained-glass windows and intricate carvings on the alters and woodwork, interiors of these buildings were decorated with a sparing hand. This did not, however, ensure an environment of desolation or obscurity. With an interest in the human form and other natural beauty no longer considered sinful studies, these were well represented in the Gothic cathedrals of the twelfth century. Although historians of architecture will see how the straightforward design of the Romanesque cathedrals helped to usher in the beautiful building of the Gothic design, the two styles of architecture are as different as night and day.
This analogy based on light and an equal lack-thereof is quite appropriate. The similitude of the Romanesque style, with its narrow windows, much as the narrow-mindedness of society in the eleven hundreds, proves to be a dark contrast to the enlightened creativity of the Gothic style cathedrals of the late twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The huge windows adorning the walls of these later churches speak to a new way of thinking of God and of man himself.
As theology and philosophy turned less towards mysticism and more towards scientific question and reason, man seems to have realized that in order to know his God, he must study himself and the life around him. This is apparent in the more naturalistic portrayals in the Gothic cathedrals' stained glass windows. Though arguably the more beautiful of the two, Goth style, in all its beauty and graceful loftiness would never have come into being, had there not been strict disciplinary measures provided by the architects of the Romanesque design.
And so, as the two building styles are like night and day, one must remember that without yesterday, and the Romanesque builders of those times, there would be no Gothic style cathedrals of today.
