Construction of gothic cathedrals (The University of Chicago Press)

This book describes the process of erecting the great cathedrals in the Gothic era. Since there are no contemporary accounts of the techniques used by medieval builders, this study explains the building equipment and falsework needed, the actual operations undertaken, and the sequence of these operations as far as they can be deduced from manuscript illuminations and pictorial representations. The book shows the technical expertise and improvements which enabled the creative spirit of the day to find such splendid embodiment.