Contractors of Chartres

This study of the fabric of Chartres cathedral reveals in extraordinary detail the logistics and techniques involved in the building of a medieval church. Dr James identifies 36 separate building campaigns, identifiable by the differences of measurement and technique, and shows how the problems of fundraising and of the methods used meant that the work proceeded in short bursts of activity, followed by long pauses, even within a construction period of only fifty years. The Contractors of Chartresis a major contribution to our understanding of medieval architecture and the society that created it.James, John is the author of 'Contractors of Chartres ', published 1989 under ISBN 9780959600537 and ISBN 0959600531.