This document provides an overview of the Middle Ages in three periods: Early (500-1000), High (1000-1300), and Late (1300-1500). It discusses key dates, developments in architecture like Charlemagne's palace chapel, art like illuminated manuscripts and the Bayeux Tapestry, literature, clothing, music, and other cultural changes over time. The Middle Ages saw advances in agriculture, the rise of universities, the Black Death pandemic, and developments in polyphonic church music. Overall, the document covers the major political, cultural, and technological developments that occurred during the thousand-year span of the Middle Ages.
4. Early MiddleAges
TheEarly MiddleAgesisthebegin of Medieval
history, aperiod that lasted athousand yearswith
many culturesand advancementsthrough out itslong
history. Therearemany sub-periodswithin the
MiddleAgesit isduring theEarly MiddleAgesthat
theViking Agefalls. In 800 Charlemangebecame
thefirst Holy Roman Emperor. Healso conquered
theSaxonsand convert them to Christianity.
[1][2]
5. Key Dates
476
Collapseof Roman
Empire
Start of theDark Ages
793
First Viking Raids
Start of Viking Age
800
Charlemangethefirst
Holy Roman Emperor
[4]
542
Plague(Bubonic Plague)
affecting all of Urban areas
of Mediterranean Basen
Known asThePlagueof
Justinian
7. ArtPIC 5
5th
-9th
Century
Insular Art
Celtic & Anglo-Saxon
British IslesArt
Replicaof thehelmet found at
Sutton Hoo, in theburial of an
Anglo-Saxon leader, probably a
king, about 620 in theEarly
MiddleAges
[2]
9. High Middle Ages
Many changestook placeduring theHigh Middle
Agesfrom changesin World Climateto thesetting
up of Universities. Advancesin agriculturehelped
consolidatethemanorial system, in which
aristocratic landownersexploited serf labor; and
townsand citiesagain emerged ascentersof
commerceand manufacturing. New Kingstook hold
and forever changed thecountry.
[1][4]
[7]
10. Key Dates
1066
William of Normandy
conquersEngland
BecomesKing
1206
Mongol EmpireFounded
by GenghisKhan
1215
Magna Carta
1096
1st
Crusade
Many to follow
1096-1204
14. Decorative Items
PersonalPIC 11
PIC 13
PIC 12
A Pomander wasused
to carry religious
imagesthen it evolved
and becamedivived
into sectionsto carry
different perfumesin
each section
16. Late Middle Ages
During theLateMiddleAgestheclimateagain
started to changeback to colder and rainy weather
forcing peopleto abandon their farmsand raceto the
cities. Thisboom to urban lifecaused overcrowding
and dieseaseto spread. But thisstriff madepeople
realizethey had much learning to do.
[1]
[11]
17. Key Dates
1337
Hundred Year War
1431
Joan of Arc Executed
1482
Leonardo DaVinci paints
“TheLast Supper”
[9]
1347
Start of theBlack Death
18. Clothing
PIC 16
PIC 14 PIC 15
Clothing provided an
immediateway of
distinguishing
between classes.
production for the
lower classes was
linen, hemp, nettle
and wool . The
Nobility and rich
bourgeoisiecould
additionally rely on
expensiveimported
silksand used
generally better textile
qualitiesand refined
fabrics.
[14]
PIC 18PIC 17
19. Music
Had 2 groups
ArsAntiqua“old art”
ArsNova“new art”
Musical leadership
centered itself in
Northern Europeinstead
of Italy asbefore
A risein thesocial status
of secular music
demonstrated by the
nobility of troubadours
and trouveres
For thefirst time
composersachieved
recognition for their
creativeefforts
PIC 19
Thesameliturgical texts
wereset but in
polyphony instead of
monophony
An important addition to
sacred music wasthe
motet
ArsNova
Rhythm wasexpanded
by theacceptanceof
duplepatterns
Harmony - introduction of
3rdsand 6ths
20. Sources
1. History for Kids.(N.D.). " MiddleAges". Retrieved from
http://www.historyforkids.net/early-middle-ages.html
2. Boundless.(2015). BoundlessArt History. Retrieved from
https://www.boundless.com/art-history/textbooks/boundless-art-history-textbook/early-medieval-euro
3. History World.(N.D.). History of Charlemagne. Retrieved from
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa20
4. SparkNotesEditors. (2005). SparkNoteon Early MiddleAges(475-1000). Retrieved from
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/middle1/
5. PalatineChapel. (2015). In EncyclopædiaBritannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Palatine-Chapel-Aachen-Germany
6. TheSchool Run. (2015). Anglo-Saxons. Retrieved from
http://www.theschoolrun.com/homework-help/anglo-saxons
7. Nelson, Ken. (2015). History: MiddleAgesTimelinefor Kids. Ducksters. Retrieved from
http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php
21. Sources
8.Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.(N.D.). Stateand Society in theHigh MiddleAges
Document. retrieved from
http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/hickey/state_and_society_in_the_high_mi.html
9. Nelson, Ken. (2015). History: MiddleAgesTimelinefor Kids. Ducksters. Retrieved from
http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php
10. Lordsand Ladies. (2015). TheMiddleAges. Siteseen Ltd. Retrieved from
http://www.lordsandladies.org/the-first-crusade.html
http://www.lordsandladies.org/bayeux-tapestry.html
http://www.lordsandladies.org/sumptuary-laws-middle-ages.html
http://www.lordsandladies.org/
11. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.(N.D.). LateMiddleAgesDocument. retrieved from
http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/hickey/late_middle_ages.html
12. Jewel History. (2003-2015). "Guyot Brothers". Retrieved from
http://www.guyotbrothers.com/jewelry-history/jewelry-history-page11.html
22. Sources
13. Speakman,N. (N.D.) TheBritish Museum London."Treasuresof Heaven". Retrieved from
http://www.learn.columbia.edu/treasuresofheaven/relics/Reliquary-Pendant-for-the-Holy-Thorn.php
14. World4.eu.(2015). "13th-14th Century Clothing". Retrieved from
http://world4.eu/category/14th-century/page/3/
15. Drexel University. (2009-2012)."Music History".
Retrieved from http://www.ipl.org/div/mushist/middle/index.html
16. IcsProductions.(N.D.)."LateMiddleAgesMusic". Retrieved from
http://www.lcsproductions.net/MusicHistory/MusHistRev/Outlines/1100-1400.html
The Early Middle Ages started with the collapse of the Roman Empire. At first it was a time of chaos with no set ruling government. The first period is known as the Dark Ages little was known about this period; there was a sparcity of written history. The Dark Ages were a tumultuous time. Invaders charged the country sides. Religious conflicts arose; Muslims conquered lands. Scarcity of sound literature and cultural achievements marked these years; barbarous practices prevailed. During the Early Middle Ages there is a period of time known as the Viking Age this is a period when the Vikings came to raid areas looking for spoils but ultimatly looking for new farming areas for their people. [1][2]
Charlemagne (Charles The Great) was a Frankish King. His empire united France and Germany. Charlemagne was upset with the Saxons who already ruled in Britian for the pagan practices so he wage war on them. It took him 30 years to subdue them and upon pain of death they were convert to Christians,
[3]
In 476 Odovaxardo deposed last roman Emperor and took his place. Justinian ruled from 527-565 during which the Bobnic Plague took hold in 542 and also the Nika roits happen in 532. His reply to the roits was to conquer North Africa (533), Italy (532-552) and the southern tip of Spain (550). Charlemagne ruled from 768-814 conquering the Saxons, and setting up border marches. The Vikings started raids in 793 and held Paris seige in 878-886.
[4]
The imperial chapel of Charlemagne, now forming the central component of the cathedral in Aachen, Germany, is the best-known surviving example of a palatine chapel. Considered a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture. The cathedral was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978. Constructed on the site of an earlier, smaller house of worship dating from the 780s and 790s, the Palatine Chapel was consecrated in 805 to serve as the imperial church. It was designed by Odo of Metz.. It is the most important surviving example of Carolingian architecture. Its octagonal, domed central area is surrounded by a tall (two-story), 16-sided ambulatory. Adjacent to the Octagon is the West Hall, with its formerly open-air atrium. Also the imperial box on the upper floor and the winding staircases that lead up to the twin towers. A marble-slab throne, which was used for the coronations of 32 Holy Roman emperors in the period from 936 to 1531, is thought to be Carolingian. [5]
Sutton Hoo is a group of seventeen identified burial mounds of the 6th-7th century, overlooking the River Deben and the town of Woodbridge in Suffolk. The first and also the largest mound, contained a 90-foot-long ship, and is supposedly the burial site of Raedwald, who was the leader of the Wuffing dynasty. The Anglo-Saxons came to England after the Romans left in the year 410. Nobody was really ruling all of England at the time. They set up a lot of little kingdoms that eventually came together as one country. The earliest English kings were Anglo-Saxons. Anglo-Saxons ruled for about three centuries, and during this time they formed the basis for the English monarchy and laws. By the 800s, there were four main kingdoms in England: Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex. Like the Vikings the Celts and Angle-Saxons artwork was used on boats and armor to show thier pride.
[6]
The High Middle Ages was consider the Golden Age of the Middle Ages. Most historians consider the High Middle Ages to flow right into the Renissence Age and do not even count the Late Middle Ages due to the lack of Advancement until the 14th Century.
A long warming cycle came to a peak between 1000 and 1200. This allowed people north of the Mediterranean to plant crops that previously had only grown in the south. Also, people could also plant earlier in spring without fear of killing frosts and could keep their crops in the fields into October. A longer growing season contributed to higher yields. Also the use of the "three field system" to prevent soil exhaustion. Then there is William of Normandy, a French Duke, who conquers England in the Battle of Hastings. He became King of England and changed the country forever.
[7][8]
Oct 14. 1066 The Battle of Hastings is where William Duke of Normandy rained vistorious over Anglo-Saxon army of King Harold leading Endland into a new age of Normandy ruled Endland. There were 8 crusades the 1st four were called Pricipal Crusades then you have the Minor crusades and the Children's Crusade.The massacre of 3000 Christian Pilgrims in Jerusalem prompted the 1st
Crusade it was called the People's Crusade in the summer of 1096 a horde of poor men, women, and children set out, unorganized and almost unarmed, on the road to the Holy Land. This uprising by the people was due to Peter the monk riding from town to town preaching . The Magna Carta greatly reduced the power of the King of England and allowed for the formation of a powerful parliament. The Magna Carta became the basis for English citizen's rights and played a significant role in the American Constitution. It also sated the the King was not above the Law. [10]
This Tapestry is a story of the Norman invasion over Britian it contains 2000 letters ( 51 Latin inscriptions) 623 people, 202 horses, 55 dogs, 506 aniamls, 49 trees, 41 sheep, 37 buildings and only 3 women ( Edith King Harold's sister, A fleeing women and 'The Mystrious Women'). The borders are filled with Aesops Fables ( fox & crow, wolf & lamb, wolf & crane, wolf & kid) there is debate as to if these fables were picked on purpose to express dissent and horror over the Norman invasion. Bishop Odo conmissioned the piece most likely made by noble Saxon women who were now nuns. It took 10 years to make with 72 scenes, 214 ft long and 20 inches wide.
[10]
The messengers with Guy, with portrayal of medieval agriculture in the border
Harold's death. Legend above: Harold rex interfectus est, "Harold the King is killed"
The first to craft jewerly was the monk craftman then when religion grew jewelers took over. In France they were known as corporations and in Emgland they were guilds. Jewelers were goldsmiths, designers,sculptors, smelters,inlayer, enamel worker and stone cutter and layer all in one. Celtic jewelry was in a class all of it's own. In 1238 a edict was passes that prohibited citizens from wearing precious stones and in England the King delegated what jewerly various classes could wear. Coronets were small and plain circlets. These could be worn by the nobility and were first worn around lords’ helmets. Women soon adopted them to wear over their veils. They were made of thin gold bands or small jewels linked together.The Holy Thorn, from the Crown of Thorns worn by Christ before and during the Crucifixion was a celebrated relic during the Middle Ages. The thorn in this reliquary may have come from the Crown of Thorns that was purchased by King Louis IX of France in 1238 from the Latin Emperor of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Baldwin II. Consecrated in 1248, the Saint-Chapelle was built to store the crown itself. Louis detached the thorns from the main band and sent many in reliquaries as gifts. This practice continued under successor kings. [12][13]
The Late Middle Ages saw everything grind to a long halt. This period faced famine, plague, and wars over who should truly rule countries. Despite the challenges the people of the Late Middle Ages faced, the end result was a movement toward new thinking and the beginning of a period known as the Renaissance the turning point of European history. The Renaissance was an influential cultural movement that brought about a period of scientific revolution and artistic transformation at the dawn of modern history in Europe. It marks the transitional period between the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Modern Age. The Age of Discovery started in 1492 with Columbus and the Americas but in truth Leifr Eiriksson and his Norse crew had explored the North American continent centuries before Columbus set foot on the land.
[1][2][10]
During the Late Middle Ages life became hard once more with most farms flooded due to increased rain. People flocked to the cities leading to overcrowding and increase in sickness due to lack of sanitation.
1315-1322 saw the Great Famine due to lack of food and the lack of sanitation lead to the 1347-1349 spread of the Black Plague.
[1][11]
The governments of France and England carryed out a series of long, deadly wars, which are known collectively as the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), and which aggravated the problem of agricultural decline. The Hundred Years' War had its roots in three situations: the English kings' continuing claim to territories in France; English support for the Flemish rebellion against French rule; and a succession crisis when both English King Edward III and the new French King Philip Valois both claimed to be the rightful successor. The war took place entirely in France, and contributed to the loss of lives and farmland. Famine and disease, and especially the Black Death, hit the towns as hard if not harder than they did the villages. It killed as much as half of the popluations of the cities it hit. Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years' War, and was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint. [10][11]
Sumptuary Laws were used to control behaviour and ensure that a specific class structure was maintained. Sumptuary Laws distinguished seven social categories and made members of each class easily distinguished by their clothing. Penalties for violating these laws were fines, loss of property, title and at times your life. 1312-1377 King Edward III passes laws that regulated what clothing each class was allowed to wear. 1336 attempted to curb expenditure and preserve class distinction. One of acts stated the following:"no knight under the estate of a lord, esquire or gentleman , nor any other person, shall wear any shoes or boots having spikes or points which exceed the length of two inches, under the forfeiture of forty pence." 1337 restricted wearing furs. [10]
The 1st true genius of western music was Guillaume de Machaut best known for composing the Catholic Mass. The most famous trouvere was Adam de la Halle the composer of the oldest musical theater piece Le Jeu de Robin et Marion & De ma dame Vient! Instrumental dance was not very popular until the Renaissance Age.