Gothic Cathedrals : A Guide To The History, Pla... -

Focused on reaching extreme heights and maximizing window space. The "Rayonnant" (radiant) style is defined by the two-story walls of stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle and the massive scale of Chartres Cathedral . Late Gothic: Flamboyant & Perpendicular (c. 1350–1550):

Introduced the foundational trio of the pointed arch, rib vault, and flying buttress. Key examples include the Basilica of Saint-Denis and Sens Cathedral , the first true Gothic cathedral in France. Gothic cathedrals : a guide to the history, pla...

Gothic architecture revolutionized construction by moving structural weight from walls to a skeleton of stone: Focused on reaching extreme heights and maximizing window

Known for flame-like, undulating stone tracery, seen at Rouen Cathedral . Emphasized vertical lines and "fan vaults," as seen

Emphasized vertical lines and "fan vaults," as seen in the Henry VII Chapel at Westminster Abbey. The Architectural "Trinity" of Features

Intersecting stone ribs supported the ceiling's weight, which meant the panels between them could be thinner and the overall roof much lighter.