A series of ten programmes with Donald Sinden
3: The Dawn of Gothic
During the 12th century a complete break was made with Romanesque architecture and Europe moved towards an architectural style of her very own. The new style differed so much from the classical tradition that centuries later Sir Christopher Wren could refer to it disdainfully as Gothic, meaning ' barbarian Though ' barbarian ' in origin, the Gothic style was to set architecture on a journey of some 300 years, in which time the religious beliefs and determined ingenuity of the medieval mind found eloquent expression in the grandest, most sublime churches to be seen in Christendom.
This week DONALD SINDEN visits Rievaulx Abbey and St Giles , Skelton, near York, to look at the early development of Gothic architecture.
Film cameraman PETER HALL Film editor PETER ORTON Producer DICK FOSTER