East Midlands Branch

 

THE INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS

AND ITS APPLICATIONS

 

The Geometry of Mediaeval Gothic Windows

 

by

 

Hugh Williams

 

on

 

Tuesday 4 October, 2005

starting  7.30 pm

 

Heap Lecture Theatre

University of Derby, Kedleston Road   

 

Abstract

 

Books on mediaeval architecture break Gothic architecture down it various styles but nowhere in the literature are there actual specific criteria on how to distinguish between them. I found at least one case where different authors classified the same window into different styles.

 

This lead me into a mathematical investigation of the underlying geometrical rules for the various styles. There were interesting geometrical problems of which rules you can deduce by observation from a photograph or the window itself and which would require detailed measurements. Luckily it was found that classification rules could be based on observational rather than metric properties.

 

The work lead to new classifications and throws insight on how the various sub-styles are related to each other and evolved.

 

The talk will include illustrations of interesting examples.

 

 

No charge is made to attend meetings, non-IMA members are welcome

 

The talk is coordinated by East Midlands Branch Secretary, Dr Stephen Hibberd, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham, email: stephen.hibberd@nottingham.ac.uk.

Details of East Midlands Branch activities: http://www.ima.org.uk/EMidBranch/ima.html