Iron staples found in Notre Dame cathedral, Paris

[mspath]

A recent study published in Medievalists.net describes/illustrates some of the many large iron staples originally used in building Notre Dame cathedral which were discovered during the ongoing restoration.

 

[VNwalking]

Fascinating, thank you @mspath!
The paper is full of small surprises, for me especially the insights into the diversity of the medieval iron industry in Paris.

What can be learned from several old staples is quite impressive!

Forgive the puzzlement from the inexpert peanut gallery. But what I can't wrap.my mind around is picturing how these might be found in situ. I've skimmed some technical papers (like this one) but still have almost no sense of how those staples would have been used. Chains and armatures are easy to see and picture. But staples? I'm still scratching my head.

 

[t2andreo]

I have seen large "U" shaped fasteners with beveled tips that were hammered to hold two pieces of wood together - in very old wood-built frame buildings. These are a sort of nail on steroids, albeit in the shape of a monstrous staple.

I have even seen them sed on overhead beams and building frames in very old buildings and cafes along the Camino.

Is this what is being described?

 

[Tincatinker]

I think those "staples" (cross braces) were used to interlink stone rather than timber. Timber joints are usually close-fit mortice & tenon with perhaps a dowel pin. Oak joints fixed with Ash dowel, or Elm if the joint was exposed to damp. Iron will oxidise and decay the joint over time. Something the medieval improvisors who built Notre Dame ought, but might not, have been aware of.

The "staples" that Tom refers to are usually repairs (or an indicator of a very poor carpenter) .

 

[Goyo]

Here’s another article:

The 2019 Notre-Dame Fire Revealed Iron Staples Holding the Cathedral Together

The Paris landmark is the first known Gothic cathedral to use iron in this way, researchers say

www.smithsonianmag.com

 

[t2andreo]

Tinc - Your explanation sounds true and correct to me. Thanks for the assist.

 

[henrythedog]

There is an excellent mini series on the BBC (also possibly on YouTube) ‘rebuilding Notre-Dame’ which gives a detailed account of the extraordinary work being undertaken. Well produced and presented.

The role of the staples in essentially linking the top row of stone into a giant ring-beam to avoid it being destroyed by the lateral force of the roof is clearly explained. As is the revelation that the source of the iron itself can be traced to sites throughout France and further afield - indicating that there was an active iron-trading market in France in the C13

 

[malingerer]

There is an excellent mini series on the BBC (also possibly on YouTube) ‘rebuilding Notre-Dame’ which gives a detailed account of the extraordinary work being undertaken. Well produced and presented.,

Just been watching this programme! There is a marked rectangle in the square beside the Cathedral which is where pilgrims stood before heading south and I stood there many years ago. Memories.

walk soft

Samarkand.

 

[Tincatinker]

Have just watched the ever lucid Lucy Worsley in the episode explaining those remarkable staples- used to resist the lateral pressure of the roof apparently.

Anyone with the inclination and access will find it on the BBC iplayer

 

[henrythedog]

Well, guess what we’ve all been doing for the last hour!

 

[Tincatinker]

And during licensing hours

 

[Tincatinker]

 

[Goyo]

I hope to be able to find and watch the BBC series. Those iron staples working in conjunction with the flying buttresses and who knows what else were/are simply amazing works of engineering. Thanks for the heads up on the shows!

 

[Bradypus]

I hope to be able to find and watch the BBC series.

Available on BBC iPlayer for the next month.

Rebuilding Notre-Dame, Inside the Great Cathedral Rescue: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hbdq via @bbciplayer

Rebuilding Notre-Dame, The Next Chapter: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016v1h via @bbciplayer

 

[Goyo]

Available on BBC iPlayer for the next month.

Rebuilding Notre-Dame, Inside the Great Cathedral Rescue: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000hbdq via @bbciplayer

Thanks!

 

[David Tallan]

A recent study published in Medievalists.net describes/illustrates some of the many large iron staples originally used in building Notre Dame cathedral which were discovered during the ongoing restoration.

Now they just need to find the stapler.

 

[Goyo]

Now they just need to find the stapler.