The reconstruction of the abbey church at St-Denis (1231–81): the interplay of music and ceremony with architecture and politics
Anne Walters
During the Middle Ages, construction or renovation of a great church was vast undertaking in terms time and money. An array cathedrals that still rise above cities towns northern France bears witness to medieval ingenuity industry. The first structure which embodies many elements are now called Gothic begun at St-Denis 1140. as we know it, however, not entirely work twelfth century. Only much later, between 1231 1281, finally completed. Substantial evidence thirteenth-century rebuilding is found monument stands just north Paris. But stones do tell entire story: small handful documents refer stages fifty-year reconstruction abbey, now, new exists form liturgical manuscripts have survived from thirteenth
Early Music History