ABSTRACT
To understand the intentions of medieval builders, one must remember that medieval churches and cathedrals were richly decorated. Vaults, bosses, corbels, capitals, statues, screens, pulpits, choir stalls and organ cases were often painted. Altars and tombs were highly decorated. Wall paintings covered the walls, and all the windows were filled with stained glass. It is in this context that one must consider medieval pavements. They were designed to provide another dimension to an interior that, particularly in the chancel, was a riot of colour. In some cases the relationship between the wall paintings, the stained glass, the monuments and the medieval tile designs was very close, and the decorative scheme conceived as a whole.
