archivolt The continuous molding framing an . In Romanesque or Gothic , one of the series of concentric bands framing the tympanum. baptistery In Christian architecture, the building used for baptism, usually situated next to a . barrel A masonry roof or ceiling constructed on the arch principle. A barrel or tunnel vault, semicylindrical in cross­section, is in effect a deep arch or an uninterrupted series of , one behind the other, over an oblong space. A quadrant vault is a half­. A groin or cross vault is formed at the point at which two barrel vaults intersect at right angles. In a ribbed vault, there is a framework of ribs or arches under the intersections of the vaulting sections. A sexpartite vault is a vault whose ribs divide the vault into six compartments. A is a vault characteristic of English Perpendicular Gothic, in which radiating ribs form a fanlike pattern. bestiary A collection of illustrations of real and imaginary animals. campanile A bell tower of a church, usually, but not always, freestanding. Latin, “seat.” See . cathedral A bishop's church. The word derives from cathedra, referring to the bishop’s seat. cloister A monastery courtyard, usually with covered walks or ambulatories along its sides. compound pier A pier with a group, or cluster, of attached shafts, or responds, especially characteristic of . Crusades In medieval , armed pilgrimages aimed at recapturing the Holy Land from the Muslims. crypt A vaulted space under part of a building, wholly or partly underground; in churches, normally the portion under an or a chevet. diaphragm arch A transverse, wall­bearing arch that divides a vault or a ceiling into compartments, providing a kind of firebreak. double monastery A monastery for both monks and nuns. embroidery The technique of sewing threads onto a finished ground to form contrasting designs. Stem stitching employs short overlapping strands of thread to form jagged lines. Laid­and­couched work creates solid blocks of color. engaged A half­round column attached to a wall. See also pilaster. feudalism The medieval political, social, and economic system held together by the relationship between landholding liege lords and the vassals who were granted tenure of a portion of their land and in turn swore allegiance to the liege lord. groin vault A masonry roof or ceiling constructed on the arch principle. A barrel or tunnel vault, semicylindrical in cross­section, is in effect a deep arch or an uninterrupted series of arches, one behind the other, over an oblong space. A quadrant vault is a half­barrel vault. A groin or cross vault is formed at the point at which two barrel vaults intersect at right angles. In a ribbed vault, there is a framework of ribs or arches under the intersections of the vaulting sections. A sexpartite vault is a vault whose ribs divide the vault into six compartments. A fan vault is a vault characteristic of English Perpendicular Gothic, in which radiating ribs form a fanlike pattern. hall church German, “hall church.” A church design favored in , but also used elsewhere, in which the aisles rise to the same height as the . Hallenkirche A hall church. A church design favored in Germany, but also used elsewhere, in which the aisles rise to the same height as the nave. historiated Ornamented with representations, such as plants, animals, or human figures, that have a narrativeas distinct from a purely decorativefunction. incrustation Wall decoration consisting of bright panels of different colors. jambs In architecture, the side posts of a doorway. laid­and­couched work The technique of sewing threads onto a finished ground to form contrasting designs. liege lord In feudalism, a landowner who grants tenure of a portion of his land to a vassal. lintel A horizontal beam used to span an opening. lunette A semicircular area (with the flat side down) in a wall over a , niche, or ; also, a painting or relief with a semicircular frame. manor In feudalism, the estate of a liege lord. In classical architecture, the triangular space (gable) at the end of a building, formed by the ends of the sloping roof above the colonnade; also, an ornamental feature having this shape. pointed arch A narrow arch of pointed profile, in contrast to a semicircular arch. quadrant arch An arch whose curve extends for one quarter of a circle’s circumference. radiating chapels In medieval churches, chapels for the display of relics that opened directly onto the ambulatory and the transept. relics The body parts, clothing, or objects associated with a holy figure, such as the Buddha or Christ or a Christian saint. repoussé Formed in relief by beating a metal plate from the back in a hollow mold of wood or some other pliable material. Often finished with a graver. rib A relatively slender, molded masonry arch that projects from a surface. In Gothic architecture, the ribs form the framework of the vaulting. A diagonal rib is one of the ribs that form the X of a groin vault. A transverse rib crosses the nave or aisle at a 90­degree angle. Romanesque Romanlike. A term used to describe the history, culture, and art of medieval western Europe from ca. 1050 to ca. 1200. sedes sapientiae Latin, “ of wisdom.” A Romanesque sculptural type depicting the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child in her lap. sexpartite vault A masonry roof or ceiling constructed on the arch principle. A barrel or tunnel vault, semicylindrical in cross­section, is in effect a deep arch or an uninterrupted series of arches, one behind the other, over an oblong space. A quadrant vault is a half­barrel vault. A groin or cross vault is formed at the point at which two barrel vaults intersect at right angles. In a ribbed vault, there is a framework of ribs or arches under the intersections of the vaulting sections. A sexpartite vault is a vault whose ribs divide the vault into six compartments. A fan vault is a vault characteristic of English Perpendicular Gothic, in which radiating ribs form a fanlike pattern. springing The lowest stone of an arch, resting on the impost block. In Gothic vaulting, the lowest stone of a diagonal or transverse rib. stem stitching The technique of sewing threads onto a finished ground to form contrasting designs. tapestry A weaving technique in which the weft threads are packed densely over the warp threads so that the designs are woven directly into the fabric. transverse arch An arch separating one vaulted bay from the next. transverse barrel vault In medieval architecture, a semicylindrical vault oriented at a 90­degree angle to the nave of a church. trumeau In , the pillar or center post supporting the lintel in the middle of the doorway. tympanum (pl. tympana) The space enclosed by a lintel and an arch over a doorway. vassal In feudalism, a person who swears allegiance to a liege lord and renders him military service in return for tenure of a portion of the lord’s land. vault A masonry roof or ceiling constructed on the arch principle. A barrel or tunnel vault, semicylindrical in cross­section, is in effect a deep arch or an uninterrupted series of arches, one behind the other, over an oblong space. A quadrant vault is a half­barrel vault. A groin or cross vault results when two barrel vaults intersect at right angles. In a ribbed vault, there is a framework of ribs or arches under the intersections of the vaulting sections. A sexpartite vault is a vault whose ribs divide the vault into six compartments. A fan vault is a vault characteristic of English Perpendicular Gothic, in which radiating ribs form a fanlike pattern. vita contemplativa Latin, “contemplative life.” The secluded spiritual life of monks and nuns. voussoir A wedge­shaped block used in the construction of a true arch. The central voussoir, which sets the arch, is the keystone.