Key Terms for Romanesque Art
- archivolt (for more information see archivolts)
- buttress (for more information see buttess)
- Crusade
- embroidery (for more information see embroidery)
- feudalism
- groin vault
- jamb (for more information see jamb)
- jamb column
- jamb figures (for more information see jamb figures)
- lay
- lintel (for more information see lintel)
- pier
- relic
- reliquary
- rib
- rib vault (for more information see rib vault)
- stave church
- tapestry (for more information see tapestry)
- tympanum (for more information see tympanum)
- Viking Age
- voussoir (for more information see voussoir)
A band of moldings framing an arched opening.
An architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall that serves to support or reinforce the wall.
One of a series of ostensibly religious campaigns by Christian forces from the 11th to the 13th century, mostly to capture the Holy Land from the Muslims who occupied it.
The technique of working ornamental design on woven fabric using a needle and threads of silk, cotton, gold, silver, or other material.
A social system based on personal ownership of resources and fealty between a suzerain (lord) and a vassal (subject). Defining characteristics are direct ownership of resources, personal loyalty, and a hierarchical social structure reinforced by religion.
The intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults.
An upright post forming the side of an opening, such as a door frame or window frame.
Columns carved on the jambs of a doorway. These may include carved patterns, such as chevrons, spirals, or floral motifs.
In medieval architectural decoration, statues carved on the jambs of a doorway. Jamb statues usually represented biblical figures or church leaders.
Not belonging to the clergy, but associated with them.
In architecture a horizontal block that spans the space between two vertical supports (posts).
In architecture, an upright support for a structure or superstructure such as an arch or bridge.
A body part or object associated with a religious figure, such as Christ, the Christian saints, or the Buddha.
An ornate container for a relic or relics.
A molded arch of masonry that forms part of the framework supporting a vault. Also see rib vault.
A vault in which the masonry is supported by a framework or “skeleton” of interlocking stone ribs.
A type of medieval wooden Christian church in north-western Europe. It uses timber framing posts called stafr or stav.
A textile with pictures or patterns woven into it, usually hung on a wall for decoration. Tapestries are traditionally woven on vertical looms.
A triangular space between the sides of a pediment; the space within an arch and above a lintel or a subordinate arch, spanning the opening below the arch.
Late 8th century through the 11th century, people from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden employed their maritime skills to journey around the globe.
A wedge-shaped stone block used to build an arch.
