Medieval Cathedrals were monumental religious structures found at Canterbury, and in other major cities in London. They were a symbol of affluence, being built with a vast amount of wealth. Money used came from people through various payments they made to the Roman Catholic Church. The driving force for building these magnificent structures was for the glory of God.

Like other structures, the starting point was for a qualified architecture to be found who would design a basic plan. They would select the best craftsmen to employ, they were highly skilled men perfect for work. i.e. Quarrymen, stone cutters, sculptors, mortar makers, carpenters, blacksmiths, roofers, masons, and glassmakers. Each worker was to run their workshops for their trade. Craftsmen would not do any laboring, rather laboring was done by unskilled laborers who lived near to where it was built.

A body was there to govern

All craftsmen relied on one another to get jobs done, blacksmiths made all-metal tools required while the carpenters made wooden handles for these tools therefore showing their co-relation. Tools were not that big since the technology was not as advanced back then. Some of them were: ax, hammer, bit, sled hammer, chisel, auger, plane, and mathematical divider. All were easy to operate hence did not require special skills.

A body was there to govern the architecture of the cathedral, it was called a chapter. It regulated the amount of money that was used during the building process and also approved the final design that was sketched. The chapter gave orders to architects on what was considered to be best for the building procedures.

Building of Medieval Cathedrals Built

Upon the decision of the plan was made, the work was immediately started. The laborers started with a foundation like every other building is and was done. At Canterbury Cathedral, recent renovation work showed that the famous cathedral was built over the original cathedral at Canterbury, i.e. the old cathedral became part of the foundations of the new one. Back then, foundations could go as much as twenty-five feet deep underground making all structures above very stable and last a very long time. It required skills since a slight mistake or error would lead to weak walls above the ground.

As the foundation was being built, the craftspeople worked in quarries to get huge stones that were to be used. Laborers helped to get stones from quarries since the craftsmen were not doing heavy lifting jobs. All other skilled craftsmen had laborers assigned to them to help them pursue their duties. Stones were curved and marked to a specified shape before being taken to the building area. Shapes would help them to align them with ease.

Constructing Cathedrals took years to complete since they were made bigger than castles and also technology was not advanced during those days. They were symbolic of their huge importance to a medieval society where religion was key in society. Other decorations were done further after the construction was done, like sculpting, roofing, and installation of frescoes. In parallel, as architectural technology developed further, greater expanses of glass became possible. Glass, afterward, replaced frescoes as a decoration to portray religious scenes.