Building Troyes Cathedral

Book excerpt: "Through a unique correlation of contemporary documents and architectural analysis, Stephen Murray provides a rich and unusual history of the building of the late Gothic cathedral at Troyes. From what sources were the funds obtained? How were decisions made about construction methods and style? What problems did the builders face and how were they solved? To what extent did individual stone carvers leave their imprint? Murray's narrative is based on thorough study of the fabric, or building, accounts kept by the cathedral for more than 250 years, actual records of receipts and expenses - from whom money was obtained, to whom it was paid, and for what purposes. Part One traces the progress of the building from the early thirteenth through the mid-sixteenth century, highlighting the contributions of individual master masons. Part Two provides written and visual records. A substantial selection of texts from the fabric accounts, chronologically arranged, is given both in the original language and in English translation; these rare documents furnish a wealth of information relating to the identity and skills of the artisans, the definition of the work at hand, and the techniques of construction. A series of charts analyzes the state of fabric fund and the composition of the workshop at critical stages in the construction process. Readers can follow the development of the cathedral by relating the text to the 120 detailed architectural drawings and photographs included." --