This book explores the ways in which the Medieval church building and features of it were used as symbols, chiefly symbols of relationships within the Church, such as clergy/laity or active/contemplative, and the virtues found in the Christian life.

The opening chapters introudce the definition, form and use of medieval symbols, and their serious importance to some people; explore the the major influences on medieval symbolism, which provided the context in which church symbolism was developed; discuss allegory in itself and in the context of biblical interpretation and of church symbolism, as well as discussing typology and anagogy. Further chapters cover the work of Hugh and Richard of St Victor and the work of Abbot Suger at St-Denis; look at the most common form that symbols took; and discuss the use of buildings as symbols and the use of numbers as symbols, taking the reader back to the roots of Christian symbolism. Finally, the book contrasts the Eastern world with the Western world; takes a look at the late Middle Ages and what happened to church symbolism when Aristotle had ousted Plato from the schools; and focuses on images as deliberately created symbols.

Entering into the Medieval mind, and placing symbolism in its context, this book will be of great interest to upper level undergraduates, postrgraduates and scholars working on Architechtural History, Medieval Art, Church History, and Medieval History more widely.