Question 1

The key elements of Gothic structures are the:
A) pointed arches, ordinary buttresses, and transverse arches.
B) pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses.
C) groin vaults, flying buttresses, and pendentives.
D) pointed arches, fléches, and pendentives.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

The key elements of Gothic architecture include pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses. These features allowed for higher ceilings, more light, and greater structural integrity in Gothic buildings.

Question 2

The skeletal nature of the Gothic construction of St. Denis facilitated the:
A) installation of large windows in the shallow chapels surrounding the apse.
B) provision of more space for the church's canons.
C) addition of flying buttresses to the choir to stabilize the great hemicycle.
D) addition of a transept to the original plan.
E) addition of alternate nave piers that have cylindrical and octagonal cores.

Accepted Answer

The skeletal structure of Gothic architecture, characterized by pointed arches and ribbed vaults, allowed for the installation of large windows, which was a key feature in the design of St. Denis, enabling more light to enter the chapels.

Question 3

The man who played a major role in the building of St. Denis was:
A) the Pope.
B) Abbot Suger.
C) Louis IX.
D) Villard de Honnecourt.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

Abbot Suger was instrumental in the rebuilding and reimagining of the Abbey of St. Denis, which is often considered the first major structure built in the Gothic architectural style. His contributions to its design and construction in the 12th century marked a significant moment in architectural history.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true about the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris?
A) Direct light admitted into its nave by the original clerestories proved to be too bright for the space.
B) Clerestories all around the cathedral were shortened in about 1225.
C) Flying buttresses were removed from the choir to stabilize the great hemicycle.
D) In the late thirteenth century, chapels were inserted between all the buttresses around the choir and nave.
E) In the late thirteenth century, transepts with their simple round windows were added.

Accepted Answer

In the late thirteenth century, chapels were indeed inserted between the buttresses around the choir and nave of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, enhancing its structure and aesthetic appeal.

Question 5

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Chartres, was rebuilt after:
A) a fire damaged the old Romanesque church.
B) the arrival of Abbot Suger.
C) the arrival of Villard de Honnecourt.
D) an earthquake damaged the choir vaults.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres was rebuilt after a fire damaged the old Romanesque church in 1194. This event led to the construction of the Gothic cathedral that stands today.

Question 6

The cathedral of St. Etienne at Bourges has:
A) features similar to the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Chartres.
B) double aisles that flank the nave and continue in uninterrupted arcs around the choir.
C) wall buttresses linked together horizontally by iron tie-rods.
D) vaulting elaborated with extra ribs, called tierceron and lierne.
E) window tracery worked into trefoil (three-part) or quatrefoil (four-part) cusped shapes.

Accepted Answer

The cathedral of St. Etienne at Bourges is known for its double aisles that flank the nave and continue in uninterrupted arcs around the choir.

Question 7

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris was built:
A) to house relics brought back from Constantinople.
B) to accommodate Catholics on the île de la Cité.
C) to commemorate the ending of the Plague.
D) to commemorate the birth of a son to the Queen of France.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

The Sainte-Chapelle was built to house the significant collection of relics, including the Crown of Thorns, that King Louis IX purchased from Constantinople.

Question 8

Rayonnant style tracery is characterized by:
A) brilliant yellow stained glass.
B) radiating lines.
C) a brightness compared in the thirteenth century to the sun's rays.
D) extreme verticality.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

Rayonnant style tracery is characterized by radiating lines, which is reflected in the name "Rayonnant," derived from the French word for "radiating."

Question 9

The Perpendicular style is:
A) typified by panel tracery.
B) the most decidedly English Gothic style.
C) distinguished by fan vaulting.
D) most common in Northern Italy.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

The Perpendicular style is the most decidedly English Gothic style, characterized by strong vertical lines and large windows with elaborate tracery.

Question 10

The Decorated style:
A) includes tierceron and lierne ribs.
B) is sometimes divided into geometric and curvilinear patterns.
C) includes ribs that do not rise from a pier colonnette and are not ridge ribs.
D) includes trefoil and quatrefoil.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

The Decorated style, a phase of Gothic architecture, indeed encompasses all these features: tierceron and lierne ribs, division into geometric and curvilinear patterns, ribs that may not rise from a pier colonnette nor be ridge ribs, and the use of trefoil and quatrefoil designs.

Question 11

The English Gothic religious building with a plan based on Cistercian planning is:
A) King's College Chapel at Cambridge.
B) the Salisbury Cathedral cloister.
C) Canterbury Cathedral.
D) Salisbury Cathedral.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The English Gothic religious building with a...

Question 12

An unusual aspect of Salisbury Cathedral is that it:
A) shows strong Norman influence, even though it was built some distance from the French coast.
B) was built almost entirely in a homogenous style.
C) has no tall crossing tower.
D) was founded by Vikings who had been converted to Christianity.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

Salisbury Cathedral was built in a relatively short period of time (about 38 years for the main body), which allowed it to be constructed in a single, consistent architectural style, known as Early English Gothic. This homogeneity is unusual compared to many other medieval cathedrals, which were built and modified over centuries, often resulting in a mix of styles.

Question 13

Lincoln Cathedral's choir vaults are called "crazy" because:
A) their rib pattern is asymmetrical.
B) their stonework has changed in color because of atmospheric conditions.
C) they were constructed by a mason known for his eccentricities.
D) they have repeatedly collapsed.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

The rib pattern of Lincoln Cathedral's choir vaults is known for its asymmetrical design, which is unusual and distinctive, leading to the description of "crazy." This unique feature sets it apart from the more symmetrical patterns commonly found in Gothic architecture.

Question 14

A hammerbeam is a:
A) beam whose profile resembles a medieval hammer handle.
B) beam assembled using hammered wood pegs.
C) long beam similar to those used in medieval hammer forges.
D) short, horizontal member attached to the foot of a principal rafter.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

A hammerbeam is a structural element of a roof, specifically a short, horizontal beam attached to the foot of a principal rafter in a hammerbeam roof, which is a type of roof structure used in medieval timber architecture.

Question 15

Ely Cathedral's lantern is unusual in being:
A) built of stone taken from the same quarries as the Stonehenge monoliths.
B) the work of immigrant French masons.
C) built of wood.
D) a Renaissance period replacement of the original.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

Ely Cathedral's lantern is notable for being constructed of wood, which is unusual compared to the stone construction typical of such structures.

Question 16

The exceptional fan vaults at King's College, Cambridge, were designed by:
A) William Hurley.
B) John Wastell.
C) William of Sens.
D) William the Englishman.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

John Wastell is known for his work on the fan vaults at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, which are celebrated examples of late Gothic architecture.

Question 17

In a hall church, ________.
A) double aisles, or halls, flank the nave
B) a hall, or great room, serves as the narthex
C) the nave and aisles are virtually the same height
D) a banqueting hall for royalty is attached to the nave
E) None of the answers is correct

Accepted Answer

In a hall church, the nave and aisles are typically of the same or nearly the same height, creating a spacious and unified interior space.

Question 18

St. Barbara Church at Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic is:
A) built on the model of the Bourges Cathedral.
B) a copy of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
C) the first monument of the High Gothic.
D) an extraordinary example of English Gothic.
E) an extraordinary example of Late Gothic.

Accepted Answer

St. Barbara Church in Kutná Hora is an extraordinary example of Late Gothic architecture, reflecting the architectural style and advancements of the period in which it was completed.

Question 19

Distinctive features of the church of S. Maria Novella are its:
A) polychrome vault ribs.
B) huge flying buttresses.
C) twin campaniles.
D) wood trusses covered with bronze.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Accepted Answer

The church of S. Maria Novella in Florence is known for its polychrome vault ribs, which are a distinctive feature of its Gothic architecture.

Question 20

The Gothic style was brought to Italy by:
A) masons from Bohemia.
B) the Cistercians.
C) the Benedictines.
D) the Master of Bourges.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Accepted Answer

The Gothic style was introduced to Italy primarily by the Cistercians, who were instrumental in spreading this architectural style across Europe, including Italy, through their monastic buildings.

Quiz 9: Gothic Architecture

The key elements of Gothic structures are the:

The skeletal nature of the Gothic construction of St. Denis facilitated the:

The man who played a major role in the building of St. Denis was:

Which of the following statements is true about the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris?

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Chartres, was rebuilt after:

The cathedral of St. Etienne at Bourges has:

The Sainte-Chapelle in Paris was built:

Rayonnant style tracery is characterized by:

The Perpendicular style is:

The Decorated style:

The English Gothic religious building with a plan based on Cistercian planning is:

An unusual aspect of Salisbury Cathedral is that it:

Lincoln Cathedral's choir vaults are called "crazy" because:

A hammerbeam is a:

Ely Cathedral's lantern is unusual in being:

The exceptional fan vaults at King's College, Cambridge, were designed by:

In a hall church, ________.

St. Barbara Church at Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic is:

Distinctive features of the church of S. Maria Novella are its:

The Gothic style was brought to Italy by: