Anglo-Saxon architecture

The Anglo-Saxon architecture was a period of history of architecture in England and parts of Wales, which stretched from the mid-5th century until the Norman conquest of England in 1066.

The Anglo-Saxon Architecture (7th century - 1066)

The Anglo-Saxon architecture is the first phase in the development of medieval English architecture. Statements as to whether and to what extent it is based on Roman architecture are difficult to answer. The Romans had left England in 410. As the architecture looked like in the following centuries, can be reconstructed only with difficulty, because data from the period between the Roman period are scarce until the beginning of the 7th century. In addition, from the time of 700 to about 870 almost no structures are obtained by the raids of the Danes in the 8th century.

Since the mid-5th century invaded Angles, Saxons and Jutes from the mainland in England. They formed seven Anglo-Saxon small kingdoms: Kent, Sussex, Essex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia and Northumbria. The Benedictine monk Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604-609 ) was 596 by Pope Gregory the Great. entrusted with the evangelization of England. Christianity in his religious Roman form first gained a foothold in Kent, where Augustine was consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury 601. Canterbury remained to continue the ecclesiastical center of England.

Since the 9th century, the Saxons strong influences of the Danes were exposed which had taken root in England and in the period from 1016 to 1042 ruled the country. However, 1042 could represent the national kingship with Edward the Confessor back to the top. This period ended with the Norman conquest in 1066 after the Battle of Hastings.

Basic forms of architecture

The Anglo-Saxon architecture spans the period from about 600-1066 The Anglo-Saxon churches can be divided basically into two major groups: 1. Southeastern whose typical features apses, while in the second northern group, a straight chancel is characteristic. The only exception is the Hexham lying in the north, whose church has an apse.

The churches of the northern group also show that the central nave more than three times as long as wide is usually while it is in the southern group, only 1 ½ to 1 ¾ times longer than wide.

More detailed provisions on the Anglo-Saxon church can only be used with caution because, first, only a few churches are at least as far preserved that their layout can be clearly defined, and second, because despite nearly identical floor plans the elevation of the respective churches may be completely different. Third is true of the larger churches that they have attained their present form after several structural changes over the centuries. Only smaller churches have some still their original shape.

In Anglo -Saxon times the ceiling all materials obtained churches were probably made ​​of wood and sometimes painted. The facades of the massive stone towers imitating the basic forms of wood construction (esp. Earls Barton, 10th - early 11th century), all churches were built of wood ( Greensted Church in Essex, about 1013 ). Even at this time can be a significant slope of the English builder for decoration realize which had developed in later stages a defining moment and especially in the vault to a unique championship.