The middle ages intro
- 1. Medieval PeriodA.D. 500-1500EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES
- 2. Between the Classical (Greek & Roman) era and the RenaissanceAfter the fall of the Roman EmpireChristianity is official religion and undisputed authority (Charlemagne)Papacy set up in RomeIn the middle of what?
- 3. Christian church is dominant power in EuropeMost literature was oralStories told through musicRise of Christian literature – heroic SaintsCharlemagne is first emperor of the newHoly Roman EmpireEarly Middle Ages A.D. 500 - 900
- 4. King of the FranksFirst Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 800Could not readEncouraged scholarship, education exploration, innovation, & architectureDevelopment of writing in LatinOpened schoolsDied in 814CHARLEMAGNE
- 5. Medieval DramaFeudalism is main system of economy and authorityClassical Greek and Roman texts rediscoveredCathedrals are builtNew philosophy and scientific methods revolutionize medieval thoughtMost literature written during this time (A.D. 1100-1300)High Middle Ages A.D. 900-1300
- 6. After the death of Charlemagne Europe was ruled by nobles (kings)Pyramid system that served as : Economic system
- 8. Social systemWarfare was commonEpics Romance (chivalry)Saint’s talesFEUDALISM
- 9. KINGProvides money, army on demandBestows land on his many Nobles NOBILITY Provides military service Bestows land onand protection on demand his many Knight KNIGHTS Provides military service Bestows land onand food on demand his many VassalsVASSALS Serves in the military Works on and manages land Provides place for Serfs to live PEASANTS/SERFSPledge loyalty to vassals completely subject to vassal’s will HOW FEUDALISM WORKS
- 10. Feudal system begins to weakenChurch has internal divisionsBabylonian CaptivityJohn Wycliffe urges church reforms in EnglandBlack Death ravages Europe (A.D. 1374)Many schisms: corruption & internal arguments (church splits)CrusadesLate Middle Ages A.D. 1300-1500
- 11. Low literacy rate –distributed orally (Beowulf and Nibelungenlied)-Epics: long narrative poem about a heroChurch discouraged literacy - strict control over knowledge and educationScriptures translated into Latin (Saint Jerome)Charlemagne encouraged literacy and innovationLiterature in the Middle ages
- 12. Saint AugustineBeowulf is written down (700)Medieval dramaDante – Divine ComedyChaucer – Canterbury TalesSir Thomas Malory- Morte d’ ArthurLiterature in the Middle Ages
- 13. Trouveres: French poets-Chasons de geste: “songs of heroic deeds”Chivalry: (Fr. “chevalier”) a military code of behavior-Fair to opponents, loyal to lord, honorable in all things-Helped to civilize brutal Middle AgesMedieval Romances & courtly love…deeds performed on behalf of a beautiful ladyTroubadours: French poet-musicians-light, graceful lyrics on theme of courtly love-Lais: “song”…short stories with fairy-tale elementsLiterature in the Middle Ages
- 14. WHERE DID THE CHILDREN’S GAME/SONG “RING AROUND THE ROSY” COME FROM?TRIVIA:
- 15. Also called the Bubonic PlagueOne of the deadliest pandemics in historyKilled an estimated 20-50 million people in EuropeIncreased prejudice of Jews, Muslims, and LepersModern scientists believe it was spread by Rats and FleasBring out your deadBLACK DEATH
- 16. A.D. 1096-1270Christian church attempted to reign the Holy LandOpened trade routes to the EastAccelerated development of villages and cities CRUSADES
Editor's Notes
- #11: Saint Augustine wrote influential works of Christian Literature Last 3 are the most widely anthologized works from the Middle Ages
- #12: Chivalry: (Fr. “chevalier”) a military code of behavior-Fair to opponents, loyal to lord, honorable in all things-Christian humility to peers, kindness to those beneath him, and generosity to all
- #14: The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin (Ring around the rosy). Pockets and pouches were filled with sweet smelling herbs or flowers (posies) which were carried due to the belief that the disease was transmitted by bad smells. The term "Ashes, Ashes" refers to the cremation of the dead bodies! We all fall down refers to the many deaths.