The Medieval Church: The Age Of Faith

Between 1000 and 1300 were the Middle Ages, also referred to as the Age of Faith. During this time, the Roman Catholic Church dominated influencing much of the medieval culture and values. Christendom, the Christen community of this time, and their beliefs had infused the writings, art, drama, and music as well. However, by the thirteenth century, the fusion of architecture, sculpture, painting, metalwork, literature, and music had focused primarily of the Gothic Cathedral. With these cathedrals also came “visionary” sculpture, stained glass windows, painted altarpieces, illuminated manuscripts, and much more artistic expression that reflected the religious vitality of the Age of Faith (Fiero 147). The Chartres Cathedral, also known as the

Its power had influenced people’s beliefs and the medieval arts. One of main medieval views on life was the belief of divine promise of deliverance and eternal bliss. Christianity had addressed the question of “personal salvation” more than any other religion (148). The seven sacraments were created to impart grace and represented redemption from sin and eternal life in the next world. How a person behaved on earth would determine if they were to be sent to heaven, hell, or purgatory. The Catholic Church was a “major source of moral and spiritual instruction in medieval Christendom,” but was also the source of the “artistic productivity” during this time as well (148). This caused a revival of more than one thousand monasteries and abbey churches. These monastic churches attracted many Christian pilgrims which eventually resulted in the Pilgrimage Church. Although churches were influenced by the Romanesque style, the Gothic cathedral were being built which started the synthesis of different styles. The Notre Dame de la Belle Verriere is reflects the religious aspects of this period not only by its symbolism but its medium. Stained-glass windows were designed by Abbot Suger who used them as a “medium that filtered divine truth,” and to the medieval viewpoint, “light was a symbol of Jesus” which influenced the belief that the Gothic church was an equivalent to God himself (163). The stained-glass of this artifact also signified the “sublime knowledge” and “purification of the ascending human spirit,” (163). The stained-glass window became and “object of devotion” which was usually “reserved for statues or other objects,” strengthening the value of the Notre Dame de la Belle Verriere even more