Medieval Settlement (Leaving Cert Construction Studies): Revision Notes

Mediaeval Settlement

• During the mediaeval period, castles and tower houses were built to provide protection and to display the wealth and power of their owners.
• These buildings were made from stone, which made them strong and durable over time.
• The walls were extremely thick, with only small windows and few openings, to make the structure harder to attack.

Tower Houses

• Tower houses were defended residences or small castles, built mainly in the 15th and 16th centuries by wealthy Gaelic and Anglo-Norman families.
• They were common in richer parts of Ireland, particularly in the eastern regions.
• A tower house was a tall, rectangular building with three to five storeys.
• Inside, people moved between floors using spiral staircases or straight stairs built into the thick walls.
• The lower walls were splayed outward at the base, a feature called the batter, which helped support the weight of the upper structure.
• Ground floor walls were thicker than those above to improve strength and stability.
• Battlements were built along the roof ridge for defence.
• Small slit windows allowed defenders to shoot arrows or muskets, and to drop stones or other objects down on attackers.
• Some tower houses were more elaborate and provided comfortable living space as well as protection.
• Restored examples can be seen at Ross Castle (Kerry), Blarney Castle (Cork), and Bunratty Castle (Clare).

Romanesque Architecture

• Romanesque architecture first appeared in Ireland in the 12th century.
• It was influenced by decorated churches in Europe, showing that Ireland was becoming more connected to the wider world.
• A well-known example is Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary.

Main Features

• Thick stone walls – These carried the heavy weight of the roof and made the buildings strong.
• Small windows – Narrow openings reduced weakness in the walls and gave a dark interior.
• Semi-circular arches – Doors and windows were framed with rounded arches, often carved with decorative patterns.
• Vaulted roofs – Roofs were built from stone in an arched shape called a vault. This helped spread the weight to the walls.
• Groin vaults – Where two vaults crossed, they formed a groyne vault, which spread the weight more evenly across the structure.
• Large stone columns – These supported the heavy roof inside the building.
• Towers – Square or round towers were often added for height and to make the building more impressive.

Design Approach

• Builders used precise geometric layouts to keep the design symmetrical.
• They sometimes used the golden ratio, a mathematical proportion that creates balanced and pleasing shapes.

Impact

Romanesque buildings were solid, heavy, and strong. They were designed to last, and many survive today, showing the craftsmanship and skill of mediaeval stonemasons.

Gothic Architecture

Gothic architecture developed from the Romanesque style. It appeared in Europe in the late mediaeval period and was used in many cathedrals and churches. The style is recognised for its height, light interiors, and detailed stonework. In Ireland, the best examples are Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.

Main Features

• Pointed arches – Replaced the rounded Romanesque arch. This shape allowed buildings to be taller and more stable. The pointed form directed more of the roof's weight straight downwards.
• Flying buttresses – External supports that carried the weight of the roof away from the walls to separate pillars. This reduced pressure on the walls, allowing them to be thinner and to include large stained-glass windows.
• Ribbed vaults – Roofs supported by stone ribs that formed a framework. Lighter materials were placed between the ribs, reducing the roof's weight.
• Large stained-glass windows – Filled with decorative designs, often telling religious stories. These created bright, colourful interiors.
• Greater height – All features worked together to create tall, spacious interiors with a sense of vertical movement.
• Detailed stone carving – Included decorative mouldings, statues, and intricate tracery in windows.

Design Approach

• Structural innovations like pointed arches and flying buttresses allowed builders to reduce wall thickness and increase window size.
• The aim was to create buildings filled with light, with interiors that inspired awe and reflected the glory of God.
• Decoration was often symbolic, using biblical scenes and Christian symbols in stonework and glass.

Impact

• Gothic cathedrals became the centrepieces of mediaeval towns and cities.
• The style influenced church building across Europe for centuries.
• Its emphasis on height, light, and decoration made it one of the most recognisable styles in architectural history.

Feature	Romanesque	Gothic
Time Period	12th century in Ireland. Inspired by decorated European churches.	Developed later in the mediaeval period. Evolved from Romanesque style.
Overall Appearance	Solid, heavy, low buildings with thick walls.	Tall, light-filled buildings with thinner walls.
Arches	Semi-circular arches over doors and windows.	Pointed arches for greater height and stability.
Walls	Very thick to support heavy roofs. Small windows.	Thinner walls supported by flying buttresses. Large windows possible.
Roofs	Stone vaults, sometimes groyne vaults.	Ribbed vaults with lighter materials between ribs.
Supports	Internal columns and thick walls.	Flying buttresses and internal columns.
Windows	Small and narrow. Little light inside.	Large stained-glass windows with decorative tracery. Bright interiors.
Decoration	Simple geometric carving, decorative arches.	Highly detailed stone carving, statues, intricate mouldings.
Height	Relatively low and heavy.	Very tall, with strong sense of vertical movement.
Famous Examples (Ireland)	Cormac's Chapel, Rock of Cashel.	Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
Purpose/Impact	Strong, lasting buildings to inspire stability and authority.	Impressive, awe-inspiring spaces filled with light to reflect the glory of God.