St. Denis, a Town in the Middle Ages

Discuss St. Denis, a Town in the Middle Ages.

The church of St. Denis is considered the first example of Gothic architecture by most art historians. How did Abbot Sugar play an important role in the construction of St. Denis? What sorts of design elements are found in the church, and how is the Abbey Church a blend of both the Romanesque and new Gothic styles? What makes both the church and the town of St. Denis significant in the movement toward the Gothic style of architecture and city planning?