Holy Terrors: Gargoyles on Medieval Buildings

I would like to suggest that Janetta Rebold Benton has done a great service in furthering thought about the gargoyles on medieval buildings.First of all, the choice of photographs and the way she explains them is exquisite! The book is highly worthwhile on this basis alone. However, this book also has the added benefit of some excellent thoughts on the MEANING of the gargoyles. I think this gives much insight into history and church history.She wisely premises that there may be different meanings in different times and situations. She states that, "the medieval affection for ambiguity allowed for a multiplicity of meanings... Characteristic of the medieval mentality was a willingness to freely interpret reality, as well as fantasy, according to religious symbolism." (Page 21)After her 10 years of research and cogent reasoning, here are some of the things she points out:1. Medieval people did not have telephoto lenses or even good binoculars. The majority of the gargoyles are set too high to be seen very well with the naked eye. This is also the case with many stained-glass windows. Therefore, the exquisite artwork here was meant to be seen by God, or they just enjoyed doing it.(From this, I surmised that possibly the craftsmen themselves may have competed to do the best stone carving. The author suggests this saying that some of the Masons may have had an ego.)2. Of the medieval gargoyles (as opposed to modern gargoyles such as the Chrysler building in New York City) no two gargoyles are the same! Wow! This shows the amazing individual craftsmanship that was going on.3. As the glorious medieval times transitioned from paganism to Christianity, there could have been some concession given to former paganism especially in Roman culture. Allowing the gargoyles stay on the outside of the Cathedral (generally) also could have shown that paganism was not allowed inside the sanctuary.4. Medieval people clearly had a fascination with ugliness and the torments of hell. She points out that this could actually have been a form of entertainment for them just as people like horror movies today.5. In some contexts, the evil creatures could have been a reminder of God's judgment upon entering the building.6. In other contexts, gargoyles are laughing or ridiculing. Some of these are placed lower, and so may have been intended for the entertainment of passersby.7. She then goes on in the successive chapters to demonstrate the gargoyles were human, animal, and grotesque mixtures which are especially interesting.8. She demonstrates how some gargoyles may have been used to tell a tale-- such as gargoyles dressed as a fox or priest representing men like John Wycliffe as a wolves in sheep's clothing. (p82)One of the things I really like about the book is that the photos are not used randomly, but with the text to give examples.Bravo!

Almost every tourist who has ever climbed to the top of the North Tower of Notre-Dame de Paris has taken a photo of his or her companion leaning over the balustrade between two gargoyles (technically 'chimeras'), and surveying the streets below. It's the ultimate gargoyle photo-op. I'm surprised this author was able to photograph the gargoyles without a tourist leaning between them. I was only slightly disappointed to learn from this book that much of the stonework on this tower is nineteenth-century restoration by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, "started in 1845 to repair damage done to the cathedral during the Revolution." However, he did attempt to use molds of the originals.Basically gargoyles are waterspouts, but to me they are proof that medieval stonemasons had a lively sense of humor--which they might have inherited from the Etruscans or the Egyptians, who also used animal-shaped stone waterspouts. Strictly speaking, gargoyles that do not spout water are known as 'grotesques' or 'chimeras.'It surprised me to learn that gargoyles used to be brightly colored--oranges, reds, and greens were favored--and sometimes gilded. The author believes that "gargoyles may be survivals of pagan beliefs...incorporated into church decorations for superstitious reasons." I've read many a horror story based on this assumption, most notably "The Cambridge Beast" and "The Sheelagh-na-gig" by Mary Ann Allen.Encounters between gargoyles and people are unique to the Cathedral of Saint John in Den Bosch, the Netherlands: "As a monstrous creature leaps out from the top of the buttress, the people cringe in terror, each one leaning back in an attempt to escape the attack of their horrible assailant." Americans tend to make pets of gargoyles, but that was not their original purpose. After all, midair is the reputed realm of demons (Ephesians 2:2).Some of the gargoyles pictured in this book are laughing at us. A carved gargoyle-monk of the Old Cathedral of Saint-Etienne in Toul, France appears to be emptying the contents of a barrel onto his unsuspecting colleagues below. "Some [gargoyles] are so appealing that it is hard to imagine they were intended to be regarded as anything other than good creatures. Indeed, the gargoyles of Notre-Dame in Paris are even said to keep watch for drowning victims in the Seine."This book is an enchanting collection of photographs, legends, and travelogue. If you ever intend to go gargoyle-hunting in Europe, make certain a copy of "Holy Terrors" is stored in your carry-on.

Short - 125 pages - but engaging read with a mild scholarly bent from a professor and specialist in medieval art. Amply illustrated with more than a hundred full color plates, all well-produced for publication - after an intro, book is divided into human, animal, and "grotesque" gargoyles - interesting description of how the carvings were made and raised to place; how they were almost certainly originally painted/colored; some shapes I did not realize existed (including defecating gargoyles); interesting discussion on whether the fantastical creatures were actually believed to exist or were purposefully imagined (what she terms a debate between credulity and creativity); nice addition to my personal library on medieval church architecture - the book is principally geared towards strictly-defined gargoyles (those with a water-removal purpose) - would like to have seen it extended to "grotesques" generally (similar carvings, but not for purpose of water-removal), but that's just me. Good combination of art history, medieval history, and church architecture - Recommended

I am fascinated with gargoyles--not sure why--and love exploring medieval cities and towns for them. So, for some one with a passion for these spooky spitters this book is a definite coffee table addition. The pictures, though black and white, are good and have led me to some new places to explore. I purchased this book used at a fraction of the price and it was very well worth it.

I bought this as a gift for my Midevil Loving granddaughter & she loved it

Marvellous little book. Although the carvings all seem to be in Europe and not the UK I suspect that is something Henry VIII has to answer for. The statues are fascinating and often funny or rude but an absolute delight and the information provided by the author is interesting and helpful to an understanding of the reasons behind them.Even if you are not interested in Medieval architecture or churches it is an interesting and rewarding read. Good pictures as well.

Will be using it to plan trips to see churches and cathedrals etc

bien fait, avec de nombreuses photos (jamais assez pour moi). C'est qd même incroyable qu'il faille un américaine pour écrire sur ce sujetAvec les zooms modernes de bonnes photos pourraient être faites même avec les + hautes placées. J'adroe l'imagination du Moyen Age et là les voir de près c'est formidable. Alors merci à l'auteur, je ne regrette pas mon achat

A brilliant and interesting book, full of wonderful pictures and a well written history of the subject. This is written in a format which keeps one reading, unlike some other books on the same which have been so dry and boring I've given up after the first chapter.

A good presentation of a not so easy topic. It has the right balance between informative text and quality photos.