Church building (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Church building in Norman England
Introduction to Norman church construction
When William the Conqueror and Archbishop Lanfranc began reforming the English Church, they also launched an ambitious programme to transform England's religious buildings. This massive construction project would fundamentally change the landscape and demonstrate Norman power and religious authority.
The Norman church building programme was one of the most comprehensive architectural transformations in mediaeval European history, affecting virtually every religious community across England.
The scale of Norman church building
Replacing Anglo-Saxon structures
The Normans undertook one of the most dramatic architectural transformations in English history. They systematically replaced England's existing religious buildings, which were often simple wooden structures built by the Anglo-Saxons. This wasn't just about renovation - it was about complete reconstruction.
England's wealth as a country meant the Normans could afford to purchase the expensive materials needed for large-scale construction projects. English workers were frequently employed to carry out the actual building work, creating a blend of Norman vision and English craftsmanship.
The fate of Westminster Abbey
By the end of the 12th century, Westminster Abbey stood as the sole surviving Anglo-Saxon cathedral that hadn't been demolished and rebuilt in the new Norman architectural style. This demonstrates just how comprehensive the Norman building programme was across England.
Expansion of church networks
The Norman church building programme went beyond just replacing existing structures. Many villages that had never possessed a church before suddenly found themselves with new religious buildings. Historical records show that the number of churches in England actually doubled in the century following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Why the Normans rebuilt England's churches
The Norman church building programme served multiple strategic purposes beyond simple religious needs:
Demonstrating cultural superiority
Normandy had gained a reputation for constructing beautiful churches, and the Normans believed that England's Anglo-Saxon religious buildings appeared old-fashioned and inadequate. William of St Calais specifically ordered Durham Cathedral to be rebuilt on what he described as a "nobler and grander scale," showing Norman disdain for existing English architecture.
Showing divine approval
The construction of magnificent new religious buildings served as visual proof that God supported Norman rule and that William was the rightful monarch of England. These grand structures suggested divine blessing for the new regime.
Supporting administrative changes
As the Normans reorganised the English Church, moving bishops to more strategically important towns, new cathedrals became necessary to serve as centres of religious and administrative power in these relocated dioceses.
Displaying political authority
The impressive churches and cathedrals functioned as powerful symbols of prestige and control. They served as constant reminders to the English population that the Normans were now in charge and possessed both the resources and determination to reshape their country.
Romanesque architectural style
Characteristics of the style
The Normans favoured what became known as Romanesque architecture, which cleverly combined elements from both Roman and Byzantine (Turkish) architectural traditions. This style created buildings that were both impressive and distinctively different from Anglo-Saxon designs.
Key architectural features
Romanesque buildings displayed several distinctive characteristics that made them instantly recognisable. The style featured sturdy stone construction with thick walls and high-quality materials. One of the most notable elements was the use of rounded arches for doors and windows, which became a signature feature of Norman religious architecture.
Many Romanesque churches incorporated sturdy pillars and square towers, giving the buildings a sense of strength and permanence. The overall design philosophy emphasised symmetry and clean lines, creating what observers described as a simple but dignified appearance.
Key Romanesque Features:
- Thick stone walls for structural strength
- Rounded arches (rather than pointed Gothic arches)
- Sturdy pillars supporting the roof structure
- Square towers providing vertical emphasis
- Symmetrical design with clean, geometric lines
Notable example: Abbaye aux Dames
Architectural Example: Abbaye aux Dames, Caen
A perfect example of Norman Romanesque architecture can be found in the Abbaye aux Dames in Caen, Normandy.
Key Details:
- Commissioned by: William the Conqueror and his wife Matilda
- Construction began: 1062
- Significance: One of two major religious buildings they constructed in Caen (the other being Abbaye aux Hommes)
- Architectural importance: Demonstrates the architectural ambitions that the Normans would later bring to England
This cathedral serves as a prototype for understanding the style that would transform English religious architecture after 1066.
Timeline of major events
- 1066: Norman Conquest of England begins the transformation
- 1062: Construction of Abbaye aux Dames in Caen, Normandy
- c.1070s-1080s: Major cathedral rebuilding programmes begin across England
- Late 11th century: Durham Cathedral reconstruction ordered by William of St Calais
- End of 12th century: Westminster Abbey remains the only major Anglo-Saxon cathedral still standing
Key Points to Remember:
- The Normans completely transformed England's religious architecture, replacing most Anglo-Saxon wooden churches with stone Romanesque buildings
- Church building served multiple purposes: demonstrating Norman prestige, showing divine approval for their rule, supporting administrative changes, and displaying political power
- The number of churches in England doubled in the century following 1066, showing the scale of Norman ambition
- Romanesque architecture combined Roman and Byzantine features, with rounded arches and sturdy stone construction as key characteristics
- By 1200, Westminster Abbey was virtually the only major Anglo-Saxon cathedral that hadn't been rebuilt in the Norman style