Scholasticism and the Twelfth-Century Renaissance Week 3, Lecture 3

Scholasticism and the 12 th Century Renaissance What do historians mean by the phrase “Twelfth Century Renaissance”? How did the scholastics understand the relationship between reason and religion? What is dialectic? What was the significance of the rise of Gothic architecture for Christians in the 12 th century?

Recap Christian relationships with Jews and Muslims: both misunderstood “others” –Jews frequently scapegoated –Object lesson for heresy/error –Muslims “barbarian” or “pagan,” also a military threat Spain: where all three groups mingle –Christian Reconquista getting underway –Cultural flowering in 10 th -11 th centuries

Maimonides Spanish Jewish, c Attempted to harmonize faith and reason Aristotelian physics and Hebrew Scripture –Aristotle (Greek, BCE)

Adelard of Bath English, c Early transmitter of Greek texts by way of Arabic translations. Natural Questions ( ) Preference for reason over authority

“Renaissance” of the 12 th Century Previous revival periods: “Carolingian Renaissance,” “Macedonian Renaissance” –Re-interest in classics, Greek OR Latin 12 th and 13 th century Western learning –Return to the classics, again –New focus on humanity –Deeply linked with Christianity

12 th c. Renaissance, contd. Literature Architecture Religion Education

Medieval Education Instruction from a priest (not a school) Instruction by monks (monastery school) Instruction by the chapter of a cathedral (cathedral school) –Chapter: a college of clerics who advise and assist a bishop In Italy only: municipal schools

Universities Studium generale: general center of study Universitas magistrorum et scholariorum: the community of teachers and scholars Bologna (Italy) and Paris (France) Seven Liberal Arts –Trivium: Grammar, Dialectic, Rhetoric –Quadrivium: Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, Music

Peter Abelard (Pierre Abélard) French, First teacher: Roscelin, master of dialectics Next teacher, William of Champeaux, in Paris –Challenged! Disagreement on theory of Universals Third teacher: Anselm of Laon –Compiler of the Glossa Ordinaria

Sic et Non (Yes and No) Actually from much later in Abelard’s career, but demonstrates his problems with compiling 158 apparently contradictory positions on different issues, from the Church Fathers Teaching exercise: work out your reason! Danger! Opposed by Bernard of Clairvaux

Heloise and Abelard Forbidden love! Image: painting by Jean Vignaud (1819)

Héloïse d’Argenteuil C. 1090/ Highly intelligent young woman, niece of Fulbert, one of Abelard’s colleagues Passionate love affair –One child, Astrolabe –Secret marriage –Calamitous end

Epilogue Abbey of St.-Denis, Convent of the Paraclete Historia Calamitatum, “History of My Calamities” –I’m so brilliant, why does nobody do anything except attack me??  Letters with Heloise discuss their relationship

12 th Century Convent Life Women’s religious houses offered only alternative to marriage for highborn ladies Handwork, copywork Abbesses weild social and financial power

Hildegard of Bingen German, Entered the nunnery as a child oblate Grew up and became prioress Visions (since childhood) –1141: commandment to write –Scivias (Know the Ways) –Support of Pope Eugenius III

Hildegard von Bingen Illustration from one of Hildegard’s books of visionary literature. She receives a vision (heavenly flames on her head) and dictates to a scribe.

Gothic Architecture Previous style: Romanesque. –6 th -10 th centuries –Thick, heavy walls; rounded arches and round towers; decorative columns Abbot Suger of St.-Denis (c ) –Bold vision, constructed by a master mason –Filling everywhere with light –Pointed arches, flying buttresses

Church of San Millán, early 12 th century, Spain

Abbey of St.-Denis, exterior