Architecture Portal

Unlock the secrets of medieval buildings—real and imagined! Step into a world of soaring cathedrals, fortified castles, sacred wells, and the fantastical architecture of Chaucer’s imagination. In this course, we’ll explore how medieval structures were built, used, and imagined, learning to “read” their stories, symbolism, and hidden messages. From dramatic sieges to miraculous springs, from intricate stained glass to impossible fictional spaces, you’ll gain the tools to explore medieval architecture on your own, uncovering the stories that these remarkable buildings have been telling for centuries. Session 1: The Temple of Solomon and Heavenly Jerusalem Session 2: A church for Saint James in the Field of Stars Session 3: Under Siege Session 4: Chaucer’s murals and the Italian Trecento: Chaucer's The Knight’s Tale, Session 5: Chaucer’s The House of Fame Session 6: Reading Stained Glass at Chartres Session 7: Sacred Wells and their Shrines Session 8: Reading St. Mary’s Church in Iffley, Oxfordshire [show less]