Romanesque styles originated in Normandy and became widespread in northwestern E
Romanesque styles originated in Normandy and became widespread in northwestern Europe, particularly in England. Norman architecture is a style of Romanesque architecture developed by the Normans in the lands under their dominion during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Normans were descended from Norse raiders and pirates from Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, who in the 10th and 11th centuries gave their name to Normandy, a region in France. The Norman dynasty had a major political, cultural, and military impact on medieval Europe. In particular, the term “Norman architecture” is traditionally used to refer to English Romanesque architecture. The Normans introduced large numbers of castles and fortifications, including keeps, monasteries, abbeys, churches, and cathedrals. These structures were constructed in a style characterized by Romanesque rounded arches (particularly over windows and doorways) and massive proportions compared to other regional variations of the style.
The Normans descended from Norse raiders from Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. The distinct cultural and ethnic identity of the Normans emerged in the first half of the 10th century and continued to evolve over the succeeding centuries. Norman invaders arrived at the mouth of the river Seine in 911. Over the next century, Norman Barons built timber castles on earthen mounds, beginning the development of motte-and-bailey castles; they also produced great stone churches in the Romanesque style of the Franks. By 950 they were building stone keeps.
The Normans were among the most travelled peoples of Europe and thus exposed to a wide variety of cultural influences, including those from the Near East, some of which were incorporated into their art and architecture. They elaborated on the Early Christian basilica plan, making it longitudinal with side aisles, an apse, and a western facade with two towers. This elaboration can be seen in the Abbey of Saint-Étienne at Caen, begun in 1063, which formed a model for the larger English cathedrals whose construction began twenty years later.
The Church of Saint-Pierre is another prime example of Norman architecture. This Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Peter is situated on the Place Saint Pierre in the center of Caen in Normandy. The construction of the present building took place between the early 13th and 16th centuries. The spire was destroyed in 1944 and has since been rebuilt. The eastern apse of the church was built by Hector Sohier between 1518 and 1545. The interior choir and the exterior apse display an architecture that embodies the transition from Gothic to Renaissance. Balustrades of Gothic letters, which read as part of the Magnificat, run along the top. Its west portal, the decoration of the tower spire, and the stained glass are among the features which make it one of the finest churches of the Rouen diocese.
Norman Architecture in England
In England, Norman nobles and bishops had influence even before the Norman Conquest o