Pla... - Gothic Cathedrals : A Guide To The History,

Introduced the foundational trio of the pointed arch, rib vault, and flying buttress. Key examples include the Basilica of Saint-Denis and Sens Cathedral , the first true Gothic cathedral in France.

Focused on reaching extreme heights and maximizing window space. The "Rayonnant" (radiant) style is defined by the two-story walls of stained glass at Sainte-Chapelle and the massive scale of Chartres Cathedral . Late Gothic: Flamboyant & Perpendicular (c. 1350–1550): Gothic cathedrals : a guide to the history, pla...

Unlike rounded Romanesque arches, pointed ones directed weight more vertically, allowing for much taller and narrower structures. Introduced the foundational trio of the pointed arch,

Gothic architecture revolutionized construction by moving structural weight from walls to a skeleton of stone: The "Rayonnant" (radiant) style is defined by the

The Gothic era is traditionally divided into three distinct phases, each marked by increasing decorative complexity and structural daring: