Chapter Nine: Charlemagne and the Rise of Medieval Culture Culture and Values, 6th. Ed. Cunningham and Reich

Charlemagne: Ruler and Diplomat Papal Coronation Leo III, Christmas 800 Revival of Western Roman Empire Feudal Administration Legal decrees Bureaucratic system Literacy Foreign Relations Byzantines, Muslims

Charlemagne: Economic Developments Stabilized the currency Denier Trade Fairs Jewish merchants Trade Routes Import / Export Relationships Iron Broadswords

Learning in the Time of Charlemagne “Palace School” at Aachen Scholar-teachers Curriculum Trivium, quadrivium Mastery of texts Text reform Literary revival = Liturgical revival Literacy as prerequisite for worship

Learning in the Time of Charlemagne Alcuin of York Sacramentary Corrected errors in the Vulgate Bible Developed Frankish school system Literacy and Women Dhouda Illuminated manuscripts

Benedictine Monasticism Early monasticism Varying monastic lifestyles No predominate rule The Rule of St. Benedict “Magna Carta of monasticism” Poverty, stability, obedience, chastity Balance of prayer, work, and study Horarium

Women and the Monastic Life Scholastica (d. 543) St. Benedict’s sister Brigid of Ireland (d. 525) Hilda, abbess of Whitby (614-680) Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) Writer, painter, illustrator, musician, critic, preacher Scivias, Physica, Causae et Curae, Symphonia, Ordo Virtutum

Monasticism and Gregorian Chant Monasteries and Opus Dei Centrality of liturgy Lectio divina Development of sacred music Gregorian Chant Ambrosian music Mozarabic chant Frankish chant

Monasticism and Gregorian Chant Gregorian chant and Carolingian reform Gregorian characteristics Monophonic Melismatic Acapella Cantus planus neums

Liturgical Music and the Rise of Drama The Liturgical Trope Verbal elaborations of textual content Added to the long melismas Aid in memorization Origin of drama in the West Quem Quæritis

The Morality Play: Everyman Links liturgical and secular drama Allegorical, moralistic Instructs for moral conversion Religious themes Life as a pilgrimage The inevitability of death (memento mori) Faith vs. Free Will Liturgical overtones

Nonliturgical Drama Hroswitha (d. 1000) Wrote in Latin Roman stylistic influences Poetry, legends, plays Theophilus The Conversion of the Harlot Thaïs Heavily moralistic to educate and convert

The Legend of Charlemagne: Song of Roland Charlemagne canonized 1165 Reliquaries and commemoratives Epic poem Charlemagne’s battle with the Basques (778) Chansons de geste, chansons d’histoire Oral tradition, jongleurs Military and religious ideals 11th c. martial virtues and chivalric code Anti-Muslim bias

The Visual Arts: The Illuminated Book Carolingian manuscripts on parchment Gospel Book of Charlemagne Roman, Byzantine, Celtic styles Utrecht Psalter Masterpiece of the Carolingian Renaissance Dagulf Psalter Carved ivory book covers Carolingian miniscule

Charlemagne’s Palace at Aachen Kingdom modeled on ancient Rome Palace Large royal hall, lavishly decorated Joined to chapel by a long gallery Chapel Church of San Vitale (Ravenna) as model Altar to the Savior (liturgical services) Chapel to the Virgin (reliquary) Charlemagne’s Throne “…this most wise Solomon.”

The Carolingian Monastery Monastery as “miniature civic center” Complexity of function and design Center of life for rural populations Saint Gall plan Basilica style Designed to house 120 monks, 170 serfs

The Romanesque Style Large, “Roman-looking” architecture Influenced by travel, expansion Pilgrimages Heavy stone arches Larger, more spacious interiors Fireproof stone and masonry roofs Church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse

The Romanesque Style Exterior decoration (sculpture) Lack of interior light Portal (doorway) Jamb, capital, trumeau Tympanum (mandorla, archivolts) Church of Sainte Madeleine at Vézelay

Chapter Nine: Discussion Questions Explain the function of the Song of Roland as both religious and political propaganda during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. What values are extolled within the text that would serve religious and political leaders as they shape their culture? Do we, as a culture, subscribe to these same values today? Why or why not? Why was Charlemagne so interested in developing literacy? Explain his motives and methods for establishing schools and supporting scholars. Describe the role of the liturgical trope in the development of drama in the West. For example, how does one begin with the Quem Quæritis trope and arrive at Everyman? Explain the evolution of the art form.