The White Mantle of Churches: Architecture, Liturgy, and Art around the Millennium (review)
Elizabeth Freeman
Reviewed by: The White Mantle of Churches: Architecture, Liturgy, and Art around the Millennium Elizabeth Freeman Hiscock, Nigel , ed., ( International Medieval Research 10: History Subseries 2), Turnhout, Brepols, 2003; paper; pp. xx, 283; 156 b/w figures; RRP €75; ISBN 2503512305. series publishes collected works which originated as papers given at Congress in Leeds. new subseries, this volume on tenth- eleventh-century religious architecture is an example, are large format books with emphasis integrating text illustrative material. In instance, nine 14 essays were delivered Leeds 2000, while remaining five written later. incorporate architectural evidence into millennial debate. point departure famous image from Rodulf Glaber's Historiarum libri quinque: 'Just before third year after millennium, throughout whole world, but most especially Italy Gaul, men began to reconstruct churches, although for part existing ones properly built not least unworthy… It was if world shaking itself free, shrugging [End Page 237] off burden past, cladding everywhere a white mantle churches.' But really case? Overall, contributors out that church building had been going solidly millennium (particularly German lands, thanks Ottonian sponsorship) pre- post-millennial continuous line development. More specifically, expansion already occurring eleventh century, thus any buildings erected 1000 more likely be products continuing monastic revival than so-called 'millennial impulse'. Also, underwent significant development century (e.g. terms crypts, westworks, Roman features), reminding us focus France did tell story. England, scholars confront problem very few sources. There no substantial remains major 1000. Liturgical sources provide some hints what rituals went churches and, hence, physical features must have possessed (the Regularis Concordia key source here, valiant attempts made gaining information other sources) but, overall, patchy. Study minor Norman cruciform shows Anglo-Saxon construction styles definitely continued 1066. turns next preferred areas Italy. A study Cluniac galilea (or narthex) Burgundy highlights importance west-end feature practice memorialising dead. Previous studies conflated earlier Carolingian westwork narthex two different both form function. Still Burgundy, St Bénigne Dijon (where Glaber lived 1016-30) today almost totally destroyed, excavations eighteenth-century drawings permit understanding its medieval glories. rotunda particularly stunning, metaphorical meaning it seems drawn monks back periods. Paris, nave abbey Germain-des-Prés displayed innovations foreshadowed elsewhere. Both by Italian abbot William Volpiano, may close leads Italian/French his comments. Turning Italy, actually little knowledge place, respect Volpiano led him equate renovations However, quite apart 238] ignorance scene, baptisteries bell towers genuine developments arising time. Next comes essay Iberian building. millennium...
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