ABSTRACT

Treatment of the Middle Ages in the nineteenth century has been a major topic for study, particularly in architecture, art and literature. During this period interest in later medieval monuments was closely linked to national histories and developments in popular culture. This chapter provides a general background to the continuing Gothic Revival before focusing on its impact on the rise of the preservation movement and study of the archaeology of the Middle Ages. The contributions of John Britton, the Cambridge Camden Society, John Lubbock, William Morris, Augustus Pugin,Thomas Rickman and John Ruskin are all briefly touched upon.The chapter takes as its closing date the passing of the first Ancient Monuments legislation in 1882, from which medieval monuments were exempted.