Early Medieval Vocab

Question 1

Ambulatory

Answer 1

the passage around the apse in a basilican church or around the central space in a central-plan building

Question 2

Basilica plan

Answer 2

a large rectangular building often with a clerestory and an apse

Question 3

Blind arcades

Answer 3

engaged arches for decoration; not a passage

Question 4

Bosses

Answer 4

decorative knob-like element

Question 5

Miniscule

Answer 5

small case letters

Question 6

Choir

Answer 6

between nave and sanctuary

Question 7

Colophon

Answer 7

last page of a book, included data about the book (i.e. author and date)

Question 8

Crossing

Answer 8

gives access to the nave on the west, the transept arms on the north and south, and the choir on the east.

Question 9

Crypt

Answer 9

a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics.

Question 10

Gallery

Answer 10

story above the side aisles of a church, usually open to and overlooking the nave

Question 11

Gadrooning

Answer 11

decorative edging on metal or wood, typically formed by inverted flutings

Question 12

Illumination

Answer 12

painting on paper or parchment used as illustration and decoration for manuscripts or albums

Question 13

Impost blocks

Answer 13

a block made to concentrate the weight above, imposed between the capital of a column and the springing of an arch above

Question 14

Martyrium

Answer 14

a church, chapel, or shrine built over the grave of a martyr or site of a miracle

Question 15

Narthex

Answer 15

entrance porch (vestibule) of a church

Question 16

Parchment

Answer 16

writing material made from treated animal skin

Question 17

Picture stones

Answer 17

a medieval northern European memorial stone covered with figural decoration

Question 18

Refectory

Answer 18

dining room in monastery

Question 19

Reliquary

Answer 19

container, often made of precious materials, used as repository to protect and display sacred relics

Question 20

Ribbon interlace

Answer 20

decorative element where bands are looped, braided, and knotted into complex geometric patterns

Question 21

Rune stones

Answer 21

stone used as a commemorative monument, which is carved or inscribed by runes, a writing system used by early Germanic peoples

Question 22

Transept

Answer 22

arm of a cruciform church, perpendicular to nave

Question 23

Triumphal arch

Answer 23

archway with one or more arched passageways. Has two massive piers connected by arch and entablature. Decorated with carvings and reliefs.

Question 24

Westwork

Answer 24

church entrance of combined narthex and chapel joined by tall, cylindrical stair towers