Introduction: Lincoln Cathedral and its Bishop

The papers presented in this book originate from an international symposium, “Architecture as Cosmology: Lincoln Cathedral and Bishop Robert Grosseteste (1235–53),” hosted by Lincoln Cathedral on the 21st and 22nd January 2012, and funded by the Paul Mellon Education Programme and the Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design at the University of Lincoln. Supported by the Bishop and Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, the symposium (and subsequent published work) constitute the culmination of a more extended research project begun by Nicholas Temple in 2003 and published in his Disclosing Horizons: Architecture, Perspective and Redemptive Space (Routledge, 2007), and further developed by John Hendrix in his two books, Robert Grosseteste: Philosophy of Intellect and Vision (Academia Verlag, 2010) and Architecture as Cosmology: Lincoln Cathedral and English Gothic Architecture (Peter Lang Publishing, 2011)

Elizabeth Bouldin, Women Prophets and Radical Protestantism in the British Atlantic World, 1640–1730

Review of Bouldin, Women Prophets and Radical Protestantism in the British Atlantic World, 1640–1730. Available online at https://historywomenreligious.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/bouldin_temple_final_may20161.doc

Envisioning Geometry: Architecture in the Grip of Perspective

This book chapter examines the early developments of perspective in 15th century Florence, arguing that the conception of pictorial space in the Early Renaissance both drew upon late Medieval notions of luminary space and anticipated the 'geometrisation' of space in Modernity. The paper demonstrates this intermediate position (at once reflective and anticipatory) through an examination of the ideas of Nicolas Cusanus, Filippo Brunelleschi, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Leon Battista Alberti, all of whom presented different 'models' of perspective in the light of their own artistic predilections and architectural interests. A shared view however of the role and significance of perspective at this time concerns its capacity to redefine pictorially the civic and religious dimensions of the actual city. This is demonstrated in both Brunelleschi's perspective 'experiments' and Ghiberti's composition and spatial articulation of the 'Gates of Paradise' for Florence Baptistery. In the final section of the paper, I examine a photograph by Le Corbusier in which I demonstrate how his visual recording of his studio (articulated in a drawing by Peter Carl) applies similar methods of luminary and geometric relationships found in Renaissance pictorial space

Plotting the Centre: Bramante’s Drawings for the New St. Peter’s Basilica

This paper examines the concept of 'centre' in the design and symbolism of the new St Peter's Basilica, executed by Donato Bramante in the early 16th century. Drawing upon theological and philosophical notions of centre in late Medieval and Renaissance culture (specifically Nicolas Cusanus), the study argues that Bramante's drawings for the project reveal a particular understanding of centre, and its constellations of sub-centres, that broadly follow Platonic cosmological principles highlighted in the Timaeus. The paper considers how this understanding of space was also communicated in the iconography of the frescoes in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican Palace, executed by Raphael at the same time as Bramante's design for the new basilica, in which Bramante is also credited as the author of the perspective construction

Rites of Intent: The Participatory Dimension of the City

This paper disseminates from a keynote lecture I delivered at an international conference, Cityscapes in History: Creating the Urban Experience, held at the Centre for Advanced Studies at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich in July 2010. The theme of the paper, on architecture and ritual, was in response to a specific request by the conference organisers, and is based on my earlier research interests, particularly relating to pilgrimage and conversion during the period of Early Christianity. This chapter, however, brings this background historical knowledge of architecture and ritual to the contemporary situation, arguing that we have much to learn from the ancient and medieval worlds. Highlighting particular contemporary examples, I argue that the absence of conspicuous ritualized spaces in our cities is largely the result of architects no longer being able to understand certain kinds of spatial language that can facilitate mediation between built form and modes of corporate participation – whether formal or informal. At the same time, the chapter highlights how the use of such terms as ‘ritualised space’ in contemporary architectural discourse is problematic, given that ritual – as an ‘obligatory’ form of participation - is assumed by many to conflict with the expectations of unhindered freedom that has become the mantra of much contemporary architecture. This chapter challenges this preconception by arguing that notions of ritual space in the contemporary world are at one level materially different from those of the past, given the absence of systems of politico/religious hierarchy and authority. At the same time, however, implicit in the everyday events of contemporary urban life is the raw material of richer forms of repeated action than those simply of routine. The cases presented here reveal how a hermeneutical perspective of the historic past provides a productive and creative channel for reinterpreting ritual in the contemporary city

Competition Law and Regulation Law From an EC Perspective

These comments look at the subject from a legal viewpoint, in contrast to the Essay by Professor Dr. Günter Knieps, which uses an economic approach. His Essay raises several issues concerning access: (1) who should be obliged to give it; (2) to whom; (3) in what circumstances; and (4) on what terms? In practice, the precise answers will depend on whether European Community (“Community” or “EC”) competition law, national competition law, or national telecommunications law based on Community directives, are being applied. As far as possible, the same answer should be given in all cases

Competition Law and Regulation Law From an EC Perspective

These comments look at the subject from a legal viewpoint, in contrast to the Essay by Professor Dr. Günter Knieps, which uses an economic approach. His Essay raises several issues concerning access: (1) who should be obliged to give it; (2) to whom; (3) in what circumstances; and (4) on what terms? In practice, the precise answers will depend on whether European Community (“Community” or “EC”) competition law, national competition law, or national telecommunications law based on Community directives, are being applied. As far as possible, the same answer should be given in all cases