Browse Exhibits (10 total)

The Legacy of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral

This exhibit displays the many shrines that have been made in Canterbury Cathedral since the death of Thomas Becket in 1170. These shrines represent the love and respect the community had for him and how they respected that he gave his life for the church. This is why he was canonized in 1173 and became St.Thomas. His death and legacy still lives on in the church today and his impact will never be forgotten. 

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Westminster Cathedral: the Shrine to Edward the Confessor

The Westminster Abbey was rebuilt in 1220 to be a Gothic cathedral by Henry III. It was built to be a new shrine to Edward the Confessor and emulate the style of new French cathedrals. The new cathedral would be used for every English coronation following, but first served as the final burial for Edward the Confessor. 

Why St-Denis Was Possible

This is a look into the ways that Suger had to manipulate and construe his wishes and desires and to re-establish the connection between the abbey and the king in order to make his renovation of St-Denis possible. The Royal Abbey had fallen out of the limelight after the reign of King Philip and Suger had to work to reconnect the church and the state. He was also trying to introduce a newer interpretation of how art was meant to be viewed in an age when the church was in the throes of a serious art controversy. 

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The Cathedral of St. Denis and Royal Burials

An exhibit of St. Denis' role in French royal burials and the politics that surrounded them

Joe Noce- Remembering Toledo

The Toledo Cathedral may not have been as large or as grand as many of the other Gothic giants of the day, however, the amount of historic emphasis that was placed on this structure by it's founders and those after was larger than life. Here is a look into how the builders and influencers of the Cathedral sought to secure its place in the memory of history, as well as its Gothic architectural features.

St. Etheldreda the Patron Saint of Ely

When we think of establishing churches and cathedrals, we tend to forget the involvement of women. It's assumed that men were the main focus in establishing religion throughout England.  We rarely think of women's participation, especially in the early days of the establishment of cathedrals. That is why the establishment of the Ely Cathedral is so significant. Ely was officially established as a monastery in 970 by Queen and nun Etheldreda, who would later become a saint. Etheldreda had an impact on Ely and the surrounding area's religious institution, which is evident by examining the writings, architecture, and relics of the Ely Cathedral. There are many variant spellings of Etheldreda's name, including Æthelthryth, Ediltrudis, Audrey. Some of the mentioned sources and artifacts will use Æthelthryth.

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The Relationship and Importance of Cologne and its Cathedral

Cologne was an influential city before it had its cathedral and after it was finished, it gained relics that made it a foundational city in western Christendom. This exhibit looks at the city of Cologne, the Cathedral there, and how both were important to the future of Christendom.

Canterbury Cathedral - The Fire of 1174 and Reconstruction

This exhibit will explore the history surrounding the fire of 1174 that burned and destroyed a portion of the Canterbury Cathedral, most prominently the Choir. A brief overview of the Choir, the event of the fire of 1174, and the subsequent reconstruction of the Choir in a transitional Gothic Style and the addition of the the Trinity Chapel and the Corona by the architects William of Sens and William the Englishman will be highlighted.

Toledo Cathedral: An Intersection of Cultures

The Toledo Cathedral shows the cultural interaction that occurred between the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures that existed on the Iberian Peninsula, as well as the far-reaching influence of the Gothic tradition of northern France.