Patrons and Master Masons: The Architects of Gothic Europe

From the 11th century, architectural activity took centre stage in the building of expanding towns and cities. The king continued to play the role of the leading patron, however this function was also taken up by the clergy, bishops, abbots, laity, communities and associations.

The initiation of large construction projects was linked to the presence of extraordinary men of vision. Some were bishops such as Fulbert of Chartres at the beginning of 11th century, or Maurice de Sully at Paris in 1160, or even Bertha, wife of Girart de Roussillon during the construction of church of Madeleine at Vezelay, between 1120 and 1150.

By the second half of the 11th century, architect established himself as the one who would draw up the project, design it and was responsible to carry its execution. There is mention of Gautier de Coorland as an architect who was chosen by Emma, Queen of England and wife of William the Conqueror, to reconstruct St. Hilaire at Poitiers. The stone masons who undertook construction of the Santiago de Compostela are recorded in the medieval text “Liber Sancti Jacobi” as Master Bernard the Elder and Robert with the assistance of about 50 lapicides (stone cutters) who worked under the direction of the patrons Don Wicart and Abbot Don Gundesindo in the reign of Alfonso, King of Spain.

Architect Garin is associated with the Cathedral in Verdun in 1131, as is Raymond Lombard who was appointed by the Canons of Urgell in 1175 to complete their Cathedral. Patrons would sign contracts with the architects not only for ecclesiastical architecture but in military architecture as well. Robert III Gateble appointed Master Nicolas from Beaumonte-le-Roger to build the castle of Danemarche.

The monks of the Canterbury Cathedral called in several architects, some English, others from Ile-de-France, and obtained a detailed report on the reconstruction and design for the Canterbury Cathedral devastated in fire in 1174. They chose William of Sens who elaborated on the parts to be reconstructed and the ones that could be preserved. This is how the first fully Gothic building came to be constructed on English soil.

The integration of radiating pattern of the rose windows, which became almost compulsory in the Gothic buildings, gave it the name of ‘Rayonnant’ Architecture. Some prominent architects propagating this style are Jean de Chelles, Pierre de Montreuil (considered to have been the Architect of the Ste Chapelle in Paris), Robert de Coucy, Peter Parler, Henry Yevele to name a few.

The architects were represented on tombstones drawing complicated designs, as on an anonymous mid-13th century slab in St. Ouen at Rouen. In Notre Dame in Paris, Jean de Chelles’ name has been inscribed in Gothic lettering as he had laid the first stone of the south transept in 1258.

In the late 13th century, architects’ names were inscribed in the labyrinths laid out on the nave floor. Care was taken at Amiens Cathedral to make clear the order of succession from Robert De Luzarches to Thomas de Cormont and then his son Renaud, along with the inclusion of the Bishop Evrad de Fouilloy who in 1220 commissioned the master mason.

At Reims Cathedral, the Archbishop Aubry de Humbert appears in the centre of the labyrinth surrounded by master masons, Jean S’Orbais, Jean Le Loup, Gaucher de Reims and Bernard De Soissons. Hugues Libergier, architect of St. Nicaise at Reims (1263), is depicted on his tombstone holding the model of the building and dressed in clothes that showed his high social standing.

Pierre de Montreuil was honoured with the university title of ‘Doctor Lathomorum’ (doctor of stones) and is entombed with his wife in the Lady Chapel, which he had built. Thus, exemplifies the relationship between the patron and the Architect / Master mason to create buildings which were also a display of temporal power.

Architects also required high calibre of craftsmen working and supporting him like stone dressers, stone cutters, apprentices and technicians, carriers of water/lime, men who mixed mortar, metal workers, blacksmiths etc. Etienne de Bonneuil had his team of expert technicians recruited in Paris to build the Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden in 1287. Similarly, when Matthew of Arras was appointed for the Cathedral of St. Vitus in Prague, he built his team of technicians outside Bohemia.

William Wynford was one of the most successful English master masons of the 14th century and is responsible for working on the Wells Cathedral, Windsor Castle, New College at Oxford as well as Winchester College.

Ulrich Von Ensignen was a medieval German architect who conceived the plans for the main spire of the Ulm Minster (the tallest church tower in existence) and also worked alongside Erin von Steinbach on the Strasbourg Cathedral.

In the 14th century, Gothic architecture developed into its late Gothic period which saw a huge progress in technical advances in vaulting, intricate window tracery, large windows, exaggerated pinnacles, florid ornamentation etc., when the style became more flamboyant.