High Middle
Ages (Pt. 2)
Ian Lee
Overview
I. Context
II. Discussion Starter
III. Artistic
IV. Intellectual
V. Religious
VI. Political
VII. Economic
VIII. Social
Discuss:
Historians attribute the Middle Ages to being a time of historical stagnation, one
where few developments occurred in comparison to other periods.
We tend to think of the Middle Ages as being a period of little historical
importance, nearly irrelevant to world history.
Keeping that in mind: Why it still just as important to study the Middle Ages?
What insights/context do the Middle Ages provide for us in the scope of world history?
Context
-Middle Ages: 3 Parts (Europe)
-Defined by events around it
Early Middle Ages
-AKA “The Dark Ages”
-Fall of the Western Roman Empire
-Drastic shift away from large forms of
political organization
-Technological stagnation
-Limited Trade
-Developments towards the end signaled a
shift into the High Middle Ages
High Middle Ages
-Start (~1000 CE) characterized by
formation/rise of the Holy Roman
Empire, although no definitive start
-High point of the Middle Ages
-Population increase
-Significant political, social,
economic restructuring
-Technological developments
-End (~1350 CE) characterized by decline
in prosperity, historical catastrophes
Artistic
-Romanesque Architecture
-Gothic Architecture
-Roman/Byzantine influence
-Pisa Cathedral, Italy
Intellectual
-Aristotelianism Revival
-Hellenistic influence
-Formation of Universities
-More resources available
-Oxford (1096), Cambridge (1209),
Bologna (1088)
-Scholasticism (St. Thomas Aquinas)
-Greek logic and Christian teachings
Religious
-Without strong empires, religion
served as the primary unifying element
among peoples
-Christianity in Europe
-Islam in the Middle East
-The Great Schism (1054):
-Eastern Orthodox
-Roman Catholic
Religious
-Popular Religion (everyday life)
-Provided the average person a
connection to religion
-Sacraments
-Worshipping of Saints
-Baptism, Communion
-Popular Heresy (movement)
-Dominicans & Franciscans
-Against materialism
Political
-The Crusades (1095-1291)
-Series of violent religious wars
initiated by the Pope (Urban II)
-Roman Catholics→Islamic lands
-Faithful followers
-Ultimate Goal: take Palestine
(“Holy Land”) “back” and establish
Christian control
Political
-5 Crusades by end of High
Middle Ages
-Pretty much a failure…but!
-Consequences:
-Medieval Expansion
-Crusader States
-Trade
-Social/cultural exchange
Political
-Still small governments
organization-wise (feudalism)
-Several developments that would
set the stage for later eras
-Magna Carta (1215)
-Nobody is above the law
-Basic principles of democracy
and justice established
Economic
-Increased wealth/economic
development
-Recall: Crusades States/Cities
-Links to China, Eastern World
-Exposure to spices, textiles, silk (Silk
Road)
-Rise of the merchant class
-Increased wealth among noble church
members
Social
-Guilds
-Common in cities among the working
class
-Regulated and set standards for
merchants, artisans
-Provided mutual aid, as well as
organizing social events
-Integral part of city infrastructure
Social
-Three Estates
-Social class structure
-Those who: pray, fight, work
-Chivalry
-Respect between men and women
(courtly love)
-Informal code of conduct for
nobles, knights
Why is it important for us to study the Middle Ages?
