Education and the Arts in the High Middle Ages
Medieval Universities The church wanted a higher educated clergy The government needed highly literate men for representative bodies With an education better job opportunities were available to you Academic Guilds: the first universities with charters Ex: Oxford Generally speaking, women were exempt/left out of educational opportunities
A Knowledge Explosion Texts from other areas-Middle East, Greece, and Spain were translated and seeped into Western Europe This set off a revolution of learning Philosophy: Europeans felt challenged by the Greeks Scholasticism: the use of “reason” to support Christian beliefs; Thomas Aquinas Science and Math-Slowly integrated into European culture; greatly influenced by Spain; Byzantine Empire; Rome; and the Middle East
Literature Languages: Heroic Epics: Dante’s Divine Comedy: Latin used by the church, nobility, and the educated Vernacular used by uneducated people Heroic Epics: Ex: Song of Roland- glorified Charlemagne and his knights Dante’s Divine Comedy: Takes reader on a journey to an imaginary hell, purgatory, and heaven Journey summarizes Christian ethics-life determines afterlife Canterbury Tales: Geoffrey Chaucer Tale is a compilation of stories that portrays Medieval life
Architecture Known for its towering stone cathedrals that symbolized wealth and religious devotion Romanesque: Inspired by Rome Thick walls and towers A lot of stone Little to no windows Gothic: Typically limestone Stone supports outside the church High walls and Stained glass windows
A Time of Crisis 3 main dilemmas: The Black Death Upheaval in the Church Many years of war
The Black Death Fatal disease called “The Bubonic Plague” that originated at the Black Sea and spread by trade 1 in 3 died Rats and fleas infested trading ships paving the way to an epidemic-outbreak of disease Widespread crop failures brought famine and starvation prior to the plague After the plague hit, war ensued and Europe was deep in crisis Plague brought terror and bewilderment that led to social upheaval Economic effects: Production decreased and the cost of labor soared, leading to inflation
Upheaval in the Church 3 main causes: Church was unable to produce leadership in such desperate times There was a drastic split within the Catholic Church due to decades of 2-3 “popes” claiming to be the true vicar of Christ Heresies: Popular preachers challenged the Churches power Ex: Wycliffe: insisted that the Bible was the source of Christian truth not the church; he is a Christian martyr that was burned at the stake
The Hundred Years War 1337-1453 England v. France (victor) Causes: Economic rivalry Growing sense of national pride Joan of Arc Felt led by God to lead the French in battle Led several French victories Burned at the stake by the English Later declared a saint