🏰European History – 1000 to 1500 Unit 1 – The Middle Ages: Periods and Sources
The Middle Ages, spanning from 500 to 1500 CE, was a transformative period in European history. This era saw the rise of feudalism, the dominance of the Catholic Church, and significant cultural and technological advancements.
From the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, medieval Europe experienced major events like the Crusades, the Black Death, and the Hundred Years' War. These shaped the political, social, and economic landscape, setting the stage for the modern era.
Troubadours and trouvères poets and musicians who composed and performed love songs and epic poems
Contributed to the development of vernacular literature and the concept of courtly love
Illuminated manuscripts handwritten books with intricate illustrations and decorations
Examples: Book of Kells, Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry
Universities emerged as centers of learning and scholarship (Bologna, Paris, Oxford)
Scholasticism dominant medieval philosophy that sought to reconcile Christian theology with classical philosophy
Religious Influences
Catholic Church the dominant religious institution, wielding significant spiritual and temporal power
Monasticism the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to dedicate oneself to spiritual work
Benedictine Rule a set of guidelines for monastic life, emphasizing prayer, work, and study
Crusades a series of military campaigns aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim rule
Increased contact between Europe and the Islamic world, facilitating cultural and technological exchange
Heretical movements (Cathars, Waldensians) challenged the authority and teachings of the Catholic Church
Inquisition established to combat heresy and enforce religious orthodoxy
Mendicant orders (Franciscans, Dominicans) emphasized poverty, preaching, and service to the poor
Played a crucial role in the spread of education and the fight against heresy
Great Schism (1378-1417) a period of division within the Catholic Church, with rival popes in Rome and Avignon
Resolved by the Council of Constance (1414-1418), which reaffirmed the authority of the Pope and condemned the teachings of John Wycliffe and Jan Hus
Important Historical Figures
Charlemagne (742-814) King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, known for his military conquests and cultural reforms
Carolingian Renaissance a period of cultural and intellectual revival during Charlemagne's reign
William the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087) Norman duke who conquered England in 1066, establishing Norman rule and feudalism
Pope Gregory VII (c. 1015-1085) reformed the Church and asserted papal authority over secular rulers
Instigated the Investiture Controversy with Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) influential Dominican friar and theologian, known for his synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy
Summa Theologica his most famous work, a comprehensive treatise on theology and philosophy
Joan of Arc (c. 1412-1431) French peasant girl who led French armies against the English during the Hundred Years' War
Captured and executed by the English, later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church
Primary Sources and Historiography
Chronicles historical accounts written by contemporary observers (e.g., Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Chronicles of Froissart)
Provide valuable insights into events and attitudes of the time but may be biased or incomplete
Legal documents (Magna Carta, Domesday Book) offer insights into the political, social, and economic structures of medieval society
Artistic and literary works (Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales) reflect the cultural values and worldviews of the period
Archaeology the study of material remains, provides evidence of daily life, trade, and technology
Examples: Viking ship burials, medieval castles, and urban excavations
Historiography the study of how history is written and interpreted over time
Annales School a 20th-century French historical approach emphasizing long-term social and economic structures over individual events and actions
Marxist historiography interprets history through the lens of class struggle and economic determinism
Postmodernist approaches challenge traditional historical narratives and emphasize the role of power, language, and subjectivity in shaping historical understanding