The Substance of Gothic

The Substance of Gothic: Six Lectures on the Development of Architecture from Charlemagne to Henry VIII is a book written by Ralph Adams Cram. It is a comprehensive study of the Gothic architecture that evolved during the medieval period, from the time of Charlemagne to the reign of Henry VIII. The book is divided into six lectures, each of which focuses on a specific aspect of the development of Gothic architecture.The first lecture discusses the origins of Gothic architecture, tracing its roots to the Romanesque architecture of the early Middle Ages. The second lecture examines the rise of Gothic architecture in France, with a focus on the cathedrals of Chartres and Reims. The third lecture explores the development of English Gothic architecture, with a particular emphasis on the cathedrals of Canterbury and Salisbury.The fourth lecture delves into the decorative elements of Gothic architecture, such as stained glass windows and ornate carvings. The fifth lecture discusses the structural innovations of Gothic architecture, including the flying buttress and ribbed vaults. The final lecture examines the decline of Gothic architecture in the late Middle Ages, as well as its revival during the Gothic Revival movement of the 19th century.Throughout the book, Cram provides detailed descriptions and analysis of the various Gothic architectural styles, as well as the historical and cultural context in which they developed. The Substance of Gothic is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and evolution of Gothic architecture.1917. From the Preface: I have called these lectures, given during the winter of 1916-17 in the Lowell Institute course in Boston, The Substance of Gothic, because in them an effort is made, though briefly and superficially, to deal with the development of Christian architecture from Charlemagne to Henry VIII, rather in relation to its substance than its accidents; to consider it as a definite and growing organism and as the exact and unescapable exponent of a system of life and thought antipodal to that of the modernism that began its final dissolution at the beginning of August A.D. 1914, rather than in the light of its accidents of form and ornament and details of structural design...This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.