A Gargoyle is a grotesquely carved human or animal figure found on an architectural structure, originally designed (believe it or not) to serve as a spout to throw rainwater clear of a building. They later became strictly ornamental and assumed many forms.The Natural and Unnatural History of GargoylesThe gargoyle often makes his perchOn a cathedral or a churchWhere, mid eclesiastic styleHe smiles an early Gothic smileOliver HerfordWelcome. Your are about to meet a peculiar race of creatures which inhabited the great cathedrals of the Middle Ages, proliferating between the 11th and 13th centuries. Some of their decendants have ventured away from churches, migrating to other important buildings, but they have not fared as well as those still comfortably situated in cathedral walls. If you look up you may see one now and then... Let's go back a few centuries and find out what they are and how they came to be.The Medieval MindTo understand medieval sculpture you must imagine the medieval person's powerful belief in God. The cathedral was the manifestation of their faith. Every person in the community contributed something. Those with no gold to give could harnass themselves to the large carts which dragged stones from the quarry to the building site. The cathedral was to be the most beautiful structure on earth, and no task was considered too arduous for the glory of God. The cathedral was also to be a "sermon in stone" which could be "read" by an illiterate population. Some gargoyles clearly fill this instructional purpose by illustrating Bible stories, from Eve's first reach for the apple to frightening images of eternal damnation. But not all gargoyles were for religious instruction. Some were simply grotesque. One reason for this is the belief that frightening figures could scare away evil spirits, and they were put on the outsides of buildings to do just that. You will see a lot of heads that have become detached from their bodies. T...
