Romanesque architecture is the term that describes the architecture of Europe which

emerged from the dark ages of the late tenth century and evolved into the Gothic style during
the twelfth century. The Romanesque style in England is more traditionally referred to as
Norman architecture.

The term "Romanesque" was first applied by the archaeologist Charles de Gerville, in the early
nineteenth century, to describe Western European architecture from the fifth to the thirteenth
century, at a time when the actual dates of many of the buildings so described had not been
ascertained.[2] The term is now used for a more restricted period from the late tenth to the twelfth
century.

GEOGRAPHICAL

On the decline of the Roman Empire, the Romanesque style grew up in those countries of
Western Europe which had been under the rule of Rome, and geographical position
determined many of the peculiarities of the style in each country. Apart from its Roman
origin, from which it took its name, the Romanesque style owed something to Byzantine art,
which was carried westwards along the great trade routes, by way of such centres as
Venice, Ravenna, and Marseilles, and thus exercised a formative influence on Romanesque,

GEOLOGICAL
The use of local materials, whether stone or brick, marble or terra-cotta, as well as of
ready-made columns and other features from old Roman buildings, accounts for many of
the varying characteristics in each country over this wide area, with its different geological
formations.

SOCIAL

The introduction of the system of feudal tenure, or the holding of land on condition of military
service, caused important changes in the social and political organization of states; for through
its operation the class of actual slaves died out, but at the same time the poorer freemen
degenerated into serfs, bound to the land and passing with it on a change of ownership. As
civilization advanced the towns grew in importance, but constant warfare rendered the condition
of the people unsettled and craftsmanship was consequently at low ebb. Each country, as will
be seen later, had its special social conditions which affected architecture, while in the days of
its greatest prosperity the monastic system played an important part in the life of the people of
all countries, especially in rural districts before the establishment of hospitals, and when all
learning, even of medicine, was monopolised by the Church. Freemasons, owing to their
knowledge of building and by reason of privileges gradually acquired, did much to facilitate the
building of churches.

HISTORICAL

In Medieval art, the term "Romanesque architecture" describes the European style of building
design which flourished during the late Medieval era (c.800-1200). It is traditionally divided into
three periods: (1) Pre-Romanesque: Carolingian & Ottonian architecture (c.800-1000). (2) Early
Romanesque (11th century). (3) Mature Romanesque (c.1070-1170). The most important type
of religious art produced during the Middle Ages, Romanesque design was influenced mainly by
classical Roman architecture, as well as elements of Byzantine art, and Islamic art. It was
characterized by a new massiveness of scale, expressing the increasing stability of the age and
the re-emergence of European culture after four centuries of the Dark Ages. Despite a reduction
in tension, however, a certain amount of uncertainty remained during the period 800-950, which
was why Romanesque designs often doubled up as defensive structures.
The final defeat of the Barbarian marauders by Emperor Otto I in 955, gave further confidence
to the Roman church and its monastic orders, whose expansive building program led to the
creation of three distinct structures of Romanesque architecture: the cathedral,
the monastery and the castle. Cathedrals, which evolved from the early Christian basilica
building, were constantly being renovated and enlarged throughout the Romanesque and
flourished in an urban setting. Monasteries first arrived in Europe from Byzantium in the 5th
century, and flourished as centres of rural adminstration in the age of Charlemagne. (See
also: Carolingian Art: 750-900.) From humble beginnings, a number of monasteries grew into
elaborate abbey complexes. The castle developed later, in response to the political instability of
the 10th and 11th centuries, and became a major feature of the mature Romanesque, notably in
Britain.

Later, during the late 11th century, Papal confidence combined with secular military power to
launch the Crusades to liberate the Holy Places in Palestine from the grip of Islam. The retrieval
of Holy Relics from the Holy Land gave a further boost to the building of new churches in
western Europe, and to the development of the mature Romanesque style. One consequence of
this sustained program of construction, was a huge demand for architectural decoration,
including statues (of gargoyles and monsters, as well as saints and angels), relief
sculpture and stained glass, which in turn led to a huge growth in the number of medieval
artists and craftsmen.

Romanesque Architecture emerged during the Medieval era and is strongly identified with the
Normans and Norman castles. The History of Romanesque Architecture is strongly influenced
by the religious fervour of the Medieval era which resulted in the construction of many
Romanesque churches in England. Many medieval knights had travelled to the Holy Land
on Crusades. They had seen the magnificent solid fortresses of the Byzantine Empire en route
and these massive buildings influenced and revolutionised castle and church building ideas,
engineering and Romanesque architecture.

POLITICAL

The Holy Roman Empire had been established by Charlemagne, who was crowned by the Pope
in St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Day in the year 800 C.E., with an aim to re-establish the
old Pax Romanum, to the glory of Jesus Christ. Charlemagne’s political successors continued to
rule much of Europe, with a gradual emergence of the separate political states which were
eventually to become welded into nations, either by allegiance or defeat. In 1066, an invasion
of England occurred by William, the Duke of Normandy. After the invasion, the England and
Normandy unified and the building of both castles and churches reinforced the Norman
presence.
Meanwhile, the east was at a time when the structures of the Roman Empire were falling into
decay with its learning and technology lost. Many of the structures were being maintained in the
Byzantine Empire where the building of masonry domes and the carving of decorative
architectural details continued unabated and later styles greatly evolved after the fall of Rome.
The domed churches of Constantinople and Eastern Europe were to greatly affect the
architecture of certain towns, particularly through trade and through the Crusades. The most
notable single building that demonstrates this is St Mark's Basilica Venice, but there are many
lesser known examples, particularly in France, such as the church of Périgueux and the
Angoulême Cathedral. [4]
Much of Europe was heavily influenced by feudalism, in which peasants held tenure from local
rulers over the land that they farmed in exchange for military service. The result of this was that
they could be called upon, not only for local and regional spats, but to follow their lord to travel
across Europe to the Crusades, if they were required to do so. The Crusades, 1095-1270,
brought about a very large movement of people in addition to ideas and trade skills, particularly
those involved in the building of fortifications and the metal working needed for the provision of
arms, which was also applied to the fitting and decoration of buildings. The continual movement
of people, rulers, nobles, bishops, abbots, craftsmen, and peasants was an important factor in
creating homogeneity in building methods and a recognizable Romanesque style, despite
regional differences.

RELIGIOUS

Christianity, the chief source of education and culture, was gradually extending throughout
northern Europe, and the erection of a church often resulted in the foundation of a city ; for the
Papacy had been rising to great power and influence, and rivaled, or even controlled, such civil
government as existed. The “Pragmatic Sanction " (A.D. 554) had already conferred authority
on bishops over provincial and municipal governments, and this had increased the power of the
Church, which now often nominated public officials. Bishops and abbots were also, by reason of
their feudal rank, military chiefs who sometimes took the field in person, and thus the Church
was everywhere predominant. Religious enthusiasm and zeal found their material expression in
the magnificent cathedral churches and monastic buildings, which were an even more
characteristic outcome of this period than were the castles of feudal chiefs. This same religious
fervour led to the Crusades against the Saracens who had overrun Palestine and taken the Holy
Places, and this long-continued warfare (A.D. 1096—1270) between Christians of the West
and Mahometans of the East was not without its effect on Western art. Monastic communities
had come into existence as early as the sixth century, and were fostered by Charlemagne, but
the eleventh century was remarkable for that great development of the Monastic system which
gave an impulse to civilisation, promoted new methods in agriculture, and exercised its
influence on architecture ; indeed, until the middle of the twelfth century, science letters, art, and
culture were the monopoly of the religious Orders. The schools attached to monasteries trained
youths for the service of religion ; monks and their pupils were often the designers of cathedrals,
and up to the thirteenth century architecture was almost regarded as a sacred science (For a
description of the typical plan of a monastery see p. 248.)

CLIMATIC
Climatic conditions also contributed to differences of treatment north and south of the Alps
and Pyrenees. In the duller climates of the north, window openings were enlarged to admit
sufficient light, while in the south they were kept small to exclude the dazzling sunshine.
The slope of roofs was also largely determined by climate ; and it will be seen that the flat
roofs of the south gave way to the high-pitched roofs in the north to throw off rain and
snow.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
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 Durham Cathedral
 Speyer Cathedral
 Sant'Ambrogio, Milan
 Monreale Cathedral
 Abbey Church of S. Miniatro al Monte, Florence
 Baptistry, Florence
 Notre-Dame-la-Grande, Poitiers, France.
 Abbey Church of St.Pierre, Moissac, France
 Abbey Church of St. Philibert
 Tournai Cathedral
 Leaning Tower of Pisa
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