Stairway to Heaven

The Functions of Medieval Upper Spaces

Toby Huitson

• Publisher: Oxbow Books
• Year: 2014
• Topic: History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781842178638
• Subtopic: Architecture General
• Index: History

Spiral stairs, galleries and upper chambers in medieval cathedrals, abbeys and parish churches have been an enduring source of fascination to scholars since the eighteenth century. But what were these secret stairs, mysterious galleries and hidden upper rooms actually used for – and how can we know? This book presents the evidence for the practical functions of ecclesiastical upper spaces from c. 1000-1550 as revealed through the widest selection of medieval visual, documentary, and artistic media ever assembled for the purpose, taking in treasuries to dovecotes, libraries to lights, and secret games of skittles over the vaults to the daring exploits of the twelfth-century 'Flying monk'. Toby Huitson considers these topics with many others, offering a radically new understanding of medieval high-level function.

Dr Toby Huitson teaches at the University of Kent, Canterbury.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• List of Figures
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: The Architecture of Medieval Upper Spaces
• Chapter 2: Devotional Spaces
• Chapter 3: Performing the Liturgy
• Chapter 4: Supporting the Liturgy
• Chapter 5: Behind the Scenes
• Chapter 6: Beyond the Everyday
• Chapter 7: Forms and Functions
• Chapter 8: Conclusions
• Appendices
• Reference Section
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index
• Medieval Masons in Upper Spaces I: Craft Roles
• Medieval Masons in Upper Spaces II: Apprentices
• Three High-Level access routes I: Binham Priory, Norfolk
• Three High-Level Access Routes II: Boxgrove Priory, Sussex
• Three High-Level Access Routes III: St Leonard, Hythe, Kent