This is an introduction to the purpose and construction of the medieval cathedral Today when we think of cathedrals, we usually envision the great Gothic Buildings of twelfth- and thirteenth-century Europe. But other than being a large church, a cathedral is neither a specific building type nor just medieval. What makes a large church a cathedral is the presence of a single item of furniture: the chair (in Latin: cathedral) or throne that is the symbol of the ecclesiastical and spiritual authority of a bishop. This book is an introduction to the medieval cathedral, those churches that are usually regarded as among the greatest achievements of medieval architecture. Clark examines such topics as patrons, builders and artists, planning and construction. He also includes an in-depth examination of the French Cathedral at Reims, a seminal building with significant technological advances, important sculptural programmes, as well as a surviving bishop's palace and other structures. The volume concludes with a series of illustrations, a selection of original texts, and a selected bibliography for further study. A full index is also provided. This is part of the "Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval World" series. The author is a leading authority on cathedral and medieval art.