The Medieval world
Medieval Britain (Christian and Celtic Europe)
In the middles ages/medieval Britain most art were depicted through stained glass windows, books and other things of that nature. Quite a lot of the art was used as a means to tell stories. examples of this is the fact most books that were around at the time contained mainly pictures and little or no text. This was due to the vast majority of people not being able to read. The books themselves were sometimes called 'quick' (i.e. living) books because of this.
A lot of different media types were brought together for one purpose and this was to try to explain stories and different aspects of the christian faith. A lot of this would happen in the churches.
Medieval art in churches
"1180AD stained glass canterbury cathedral.
The windows in canterbury evolved during the medieval period over several centuries into a collection which is considered to be one of the finest in Europe. The earliest shown above is one of the 'Ancestors of Christ' series of windows"
Cathedrals do display a wide range of architectural styles, from early gothic to the renaissance. One style that helped the churches during the middle ages was that they could enjoy enormous power and wealth leaving cathedrals to be seen as a dominant part of british society today.
Ascension of Christ
"medieval stained glass depiction of the Ascension of christ which associated old testament 'types' corona redemption window (corona I), c.1200-07."
The stained glass window shows "the depiction of the Ascension". You can clearly see Jesus Christs feet at the tio, disappearing into the clouds above. All whilst the "apostles" look up at him.
The scene being shown here is an Anglo Saxon tradition, it originates from early christianities representation of Jesus Christ ascending a mountain towards 'gods hand' or in fact' lifted up in a mandorla by angels'
Although there are other images in the stained glass the ascension of Jesus scene is central as it is most important to the beliefs of christians.
Artists and craftsmen in medieval Britain created beautiful pieces of work to show religious scenes or important events that have stood the test of time and live on in todays day and age.
Britains Bayeux Tapestry (museum of Reading)
The Bayeux Tapestry is preserved and displayed in Normandy, France. No one is completely sure where this tapestry originated from.
The first written record of the Bayeux Tapestry is in 1476. It was written down in the treasury records in Bayeux. What was actually written down was as follows:
" a very long hanging on which are embroidered figures and inscriptions comprising a representation of the conquest of England"
Although the original version of the tapestry is in Normandy, France we actually have our own replica tapestry on display in Reading here in England. The replica was created by Elizabeth Wardle, the idea to create this replica was also her idea.
In 1993 the newest Bayeux Tapestry gallery was opened the Tapestry was carefully places in a hug, specially designed glass case. This new display means the Tapestry can be viewed in its entirely
http://www.lordsandladies.org/bayeux-tapestry.htm
It is said that throughout the entire tapestry there are 623 people, 202 horses, 55 dogs, 506 other birds, animals some of which are mythical, 49 trees, 41 ships, 37 buildings, 57 latin inscriptions containing nearly 2000 letters.
The initial idea behind creating the tapestry was believed to be to record the Normans dipiction of the battle of hastings in 1066.
"This image shows a scene from the Bayeux Tapestry"
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