Ron Paul Curriculum 7th Grade History Lesson 45 Essay: Cathedrals

Ron Paul Curriculum 7th Grade History Class

Taught by Bradley Fish

Lesson 45 Essay: Cathedrals

Written by KryssaLee Baze

      In the medieval ages, Cathedrals were a common sight.  Built as the center and focus of the city, cathedrals were intricately and beautifully designed and sculpted.  They took years to build, in addition to the great expenses it cost to build one.

      The word "cathedral" comes from the Greek word "cathedra", which means chair.  Cathedral comes from this because the cathedral was the "chair" for the local bishop.

      Cathedrals took hundreds of years to build.   People would live their lives assisting in the building of a cathedral, but never see the finished completion.  In fact, the largest cathedral that was raised in the medieval period is in Cologne, Germany, and took almost 600 years to build!

      In the medieval period, we often think of gothic cathedrals, but it was actually originally called Romanesque architecture, and was developed in the twelfth century.  This building style was slightly different from previous ones, as they did not have rounded arches but pointed ones. They also featured flying buttresses, and extremely high ceilings without the help of interior supports.  These high ceilings were designed to draw the human eyes heavenward.  The tallest cathedral is in Ulm, Germany, and is over 500 feet tall.

      Gargoyles were often added to these flying buttresses for several reasons.  They would direct water away from the eves of the cathedrals, and they were also added because they supposedly kept away evil spirits.

      In order to pay for all the expenses that building a cathedral cost, the Roman Catholic Church fell to selling indulgences to raise money.  An indulgence was a practice in which the Church would sell you a slip of paper stating that your sins were forgiven.  This money was used in the building of the cathedral.  The practice of selling indulgences crumbled in the Reformation.

      Cathedrals are continually maintained for the modern world to appreciate them.  In spite of the test of time they have stood, they showcase the expertise of the skilled craftsmen of that time period.  These ancient cathedrals are still used today as historical sites and as churches.