Question

Evaluation of Romanesque Art There were many prominent monasteries in the Romanesque period that thrived in their own rights and established a relationship with the masses. Consider these prominent monasteries, discuss their art and cathedrals and how they helped establish Christianity through architecture and illuminated manuscripts. Investigate one specific art example, and use your evaluation to conclude how this item in fact helps to establish this important relationship.

 

 

Answer 1

Monasteries such as the castle of Wartburg and Great Hall in Oakham castle in England, embraced an architecture which was marked with stone walls, pillars and windows that were placed near base level. The buildings were also relatively large in size with spacious compounds. Religious members of an order who had common ties lived together in a particular community. This form of isolated and ascetic lives allowed them to be dedicated to Christianity and thus live closer to God . While this was established for the first time by monk Benedict, such a structure was quickly adopted and spread across most rural European countries . The establishment of monasteries in rural areas provided an opportunity of interacting with the locals, preaching to them the gospel and this consequently lead to spread of Christianity.

 

As centers for learning as well as holders of Grecco-Roman culture the monasteries earned trust of the local Pagan nobility who had the desire of having their sons recreates their Roman Empire . Therefore, for the locals to gain the necessary literacy for realization of this objective, they had to embrace Christianity. Furthermore, the location of the monasteries in rural farmlands, allowed the clergy to reach more people in the rural areas. This provided a basis for gradual conversion of people. Monasteries also provided women with education, power of say in their communities and a safe place to escape from unwanted marriages. This made it easy for the monks and nuns to gather and teach them on values of Christianity. Manuscripts created by monks such as the Benedict rules was instrumental in the spread of Christianity. The manuscript provided a daily schedule for Christians who combined prayer and labor. This strategy leads to spread of Christianity through devotion and creation of schools in their rural areas where attendees were given formal education and also taught Christianity virtues.

Christianity virtues.