The Origins of Medieval Architecture: Building in Europe, A.D. 600-900 (review)
Richard Hodges
Reviewed by: The Origins of Medieval Architecture: Building in Europe, A.D. 600-900 Richard Hodges 600-900. By Charles B. McClendon. (New Haven: Yale University Press. Pp. xii, 264 with 175 b/w and 35 color plates. $65.00.) This accessible well-illustrated book provides a thoughtful overview the history architecture between later Roman period 1000. Dedicated to memory Krautheimer, it fact brings mind Krautheimer's seminal volume on Byzantine world as well Kenneth Conant's companion Carolingian Romanesque architecture. Indeed, many ways this is shorter, updated version these two great volumes squeezed comfortably into 208 handsomely illustrated pages. Part one reviews legacy "late antiquity," response cult relics, Romanitas barbarian West, Christianization Anglo-Saxon England. focuses principally upon era its aftermath six chapters which include review eighth century, impact Rome Charlemagne's Aachen, private patronage personal taste, monastic realm, innovation architecture, an epilogue that examines at turn millennium terms foregoing history. These contents illustrate immediately that, notwithstanding reference new discoveries thanks recent medieval archaeology introduction, essentially ecclesiastical [End Page 298] following closely works masters such Krautheimer. Moreover, if there point reveals author's thesis, be found page 195, where, sum, he argues early evolved relics. Over time was fashioned "an array shapes, sizes, decorative textures" by Franks, Lombards, Visigoths, Anglo-Saxons, all whom, McClendon contends, sought emulate techniques. So, concludes tellingly, "the so-called Renaissance . marked shift degree rather than kind."In other words, while identifies architectural forms after c. 814, death, continuity experimentation concepts his principal theme. thesis must surely merit reconsideration results important excavations. Undoubtedly, theme cannot set aside. triclinium form, for example, known late antiquity, outlives collapse excavated sites Mercian palace ninth-century England and, similarly, served abbots San Vincenzo al Volturno either residence or guest-house same era. Yet we now know elite dwellings existed well: small but well-preserved aristocratic house porticoed front from Forum Nerva certainly merits mention, does contemporary hall-house bowed walls village Poggibonsi, Tuscany. Similarly, conceptual framework schematic plan St. Gall, pays little attention evidence extensive excavations how nucleus transformed modular arrangement terraces terms, intentionally dominated landscape. Traces urban concept have been elsewhere Italy Farfa Monte Cassino, hints exist far afield Denys. In emphasizes massive injection investment order fully Romanitas. perhaps best ubiquitous discovery animal-driven mortar-mixers associated eighth- building projects lime mortar replaced use more primitive materials. handsome serves summarize much scholarship, research ponder grasp rhythms truly formative European East Anglia Copyright © 2006 Catholic America Press
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