History and Architecture in Pursuit of a Gothic Heritage

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Gothicism, or a self-identification with the ancient Gothic people, was a deeply important phenomenon. This drew on fairly diffuse medieval traditions, but took concrete form in a series of historical works produced in the sixteenth century, most specifically a chronicle by Johannes Magnus, which was complemented by a more anecdotal history produced by his brother, Olaus.¹ The brothers were Catholic exiles living in Rome, and although they produced their works there for an Italian audience, the impact of their books was greatest in Northern Europe, where new editions soon appeared for an eager audience.