Pages 1 - 20 Summary and Analysis

The book considers the planning and construction of a cathedral in Chutreaux, France; a fictional locale. The cathedral is built in the Gothic style on the site of a small and damaged Romanesque cathedral which is demolished—the Romanesque crypt is retained. Although the cathedral is fictional, the methods used are historically correct and the timeline presented is possible, if optimistic. In the twelfth century the people of Europe believed that God was the most important force in their lives and they were very religious. Because of a prolonged period of financial prosperity and freedom from such things as the plague and famine, the people of Chutreaux decide to honor God by building a new cathedral. The cathedral would house the partial remains of Saint Germain, a knight of the First Crusade. Other cities nearby also build new...