The Fluorescence of The Fluorescence of Medieval EuropeMedieval Europe

The Framework of Feudal The Framework of Feudal SocietySociety

The Fluorescence of Medieval The Fluorescence of Medieval Europe Europe

Christianity formed the Christianity formed the ideological framework, the body ideological framework, the body of ideas that governed all life in of ideas that governed all life in this erathis era

Interpretation came from Interpretation came from authoritiesauthorities

The organization itself was The organization itself was hierarchical, headed by the pope hierarchical, headed by the pope or (Eastern Orthodox) patriarchor (Eastern Orthodox) patriarch

Feudalism also emphasized Feudalism also emphasized hierarchy, faith, and, above all, hierarchy, faith, and, above all, loyalty to some masterloyalty to some master

The left diagram shows the The left diagram shows the feudal ideal, from king to peasantfeudal ideal, from king to peasant

The Medieval Arts: Abstract The Medieval Arts: Abstract FormalismFormalism

Iconography: Identification Iconography: Identification and interpretation of symbols, and interpretation of symbols, usually in image formusually in image form

Before legalization of Before legalization of Christianity in Rome in 313, Christianity in Rome in 313, visuals identified new visuals identified new convertsconverts

Fish served as a symbol Fish served as a symbol because Greek word (ichthys) because Greek word (ichthys) is an acrostic of the first is an acrostic of the first letters of the Greek words:letters of the Greek words:

““Jesus Christ, Son of God, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour” Saviour”

Numbers: Allegorical SymbolsNumbers: Allegorical Symbols

Numbers acquired allegorical significance, Numbers acquired allegorical significance, or a symbol other than its literal meaningor a symbol other than its literal meaning

Three is allegorical for the TrinityThree is allegorical for the Trinity Four signifies the Evangelists (i.e. the four Four signifies the Evangelists (i.e. the four

authors of the New Testament: the authors of the New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)Luke, and John)

See p. 196 for their winged symbols: See p. 196 for their winged symbols: Matthew as man, Mark as lion, Luke as ox, Matthew as man, Mark as lion, Luke as ox, and John as Eagleand John as Eagle

Twelve signifies the 12 apostlesTwelve signifies the 12 apostles

The Medieval Visual ArtsThe Medieval Visual Arts

Generally, the arts abandon Roman Generally, the arts abandon Roman realismrealism

Exceptions: Jonah and the Whale recast Exceptions: Jonah and the Whale recast into the Christian theme of rebirth (fig. 9.6 into the Christian theme of rebirth (fig. 9.6 and 9.7 on p. 199, Fiero textand 9.7 on p. 199, Fiero text

Good Shepherd (p. 199) retains few of the Good Shepherd (p. 199) retains few of the details expected of Roman sculpturedetails expected of Roman sculpture

Rationale: ban of graven images in Rationale: ban of graven images in Judaism influenced early Christian themesJudaism influenced early Christian themes

Early Medieval ArchitectureEarly Medieval Architecture

Early Christian architecture was Early Christian architecture was modeled after the Roman modeled after the Roman basilicabasilica

Features: large Features: large colonnadedcolonnaded (i.e., (i.e., with many columns) hall for with many columns) hall for public meetings:public meetings:

It contained a central nave (hall It contained a central nave (hall facing the altar) and a facing the altar) and a semicircular recess called an semicircular recess called an apseapse

For Roman version, see fig. 6.16, For Roman version, see fig. 6.16, p. 151 in Fiero textp. 151 in Fiero text

For Christian version, see figs. 9.8 For Christian version, see figs. 9.8 for patterns and 9.9 and 9.10 for for patterns and 9.9 and 9.10 for illustrations, pp. 200-201illustrations, pp. 200-201

Basic Roman model appears to Basic Roman model appears to the leftthe left

Medieval Life: Germanic Medieval Life: Germanic Roots IRoots I

The so-called Dark Ages was a period of disorder and The so-called Dark Ages was a period of disorder and a struggle for stabilitya struggle for stability

Cause of the disorder: spread of migratory Germanic Cause of the disorder: spread of migratory Germanic tribes across Europe in the face of the predatory tribes across Europe in the face of the predatory Huns and ultimately of the MongolsHuns and ultimately of the Mongols

They were largely agrarian, stateless, and They were largely agrarian, stateless, and militaristic, skilled in battle on foot and on horsebackmilitaristic, skilled in battle on foot and on horseback

Lacking either cities or urban culture, they were Lacking either cities or urban culture, they were called barbarians by the Romans (originally a Greek called barbarians by the Romans (originally a Greek term)term)

They represented the dialect of those peoples as They represented the dialect of those peoples as “bar, bar, bar”“bar, bar, bar”

Medieval Life: Germanic Medieval Life: Germanic Roots IIRoots II

The peoples all spoke a Germanic dialect, The peoples all spoke a Germanic dialect, usually mutually unintelligibleusually mutually unintelligible

The tribes: Eastern Goths (Ostrogoths); Western The tribes: Eastern Goths (Ostrogoths); Western Goths (Visigoths), Franks (original French), Goths (Visigoths), Franks (original French), Angles (original English), Saxons, Vandals, Angles (original English), Saxons, Vandals, BurgundiansBurgundians

Ostrogoths lived in the now Slavic countries Ostrogoths lived in the now Slavic countries eastward; Visigoths lived near the Danubeeastward; Visigoths lived near the Danube

As they were pushed westward, the Goths As they were pushed westward, the Goths occupied all of Europeoccupied all of Europe

The Sack of RomeThe Sack of Rome

Battle of Adrianople: Visigoths defeated Battle of Adrianople: Visigoths defeated the “invincible” Roman armythe “invincible” Roman army

This unleashed a flood of Germanic This unleashed a flood of Germanic tribes into the Mediterranean cities, tribes into the Mediterranean cities, including Romeincluding Rome

The tribes included the Vandals, whose The tribes included the Vandals, whose willful destruction of Rome in 455 willful destruction of Rome in 455 added their name to the English added their name to the English vocabulary to mean the same thingvocabulary to mean the same thing

Odoacer deposed the remaining Roman Odoacer deposed the remaining Roman emperor in 476, marking the official emperor in 476, marking the official end of the Roman empireend of the Roman empire. .

Medieval Life: Roots of Medieval Life: Roots of Germanic LawGermanic Law

A chief had his own band of followersA chief had his own band of followers The primary law emphasized loyalty to the The primary law emphasized loyalty to the

chiefchief Loyalty to one’s chief went hand in hand Loyalty to one’s chief went hand in hand

with valor in battlewith valor in battle ““If [a chief] dies in the field, he who If [a chief] dies in the field, he who

survives him survives in infamy”—Tacitussurvives him survives in infamy”—Tacitus This loyalty, known as This loyalty, known as fealty, fealty, formed the formed the

superstructure of the feudal state that superstructure of the feudal state that would dominate medieval society for the would dominate medieval society for the next thousand yearsnext thousand years

Germanic LawGermanic Law

Served as the foundation of English common law Served as the foundation of English common law and in other countriesand in other countries

Law was developed by oral tradition passed down Law was developed by oral tradition passed down generationsgenerations

The chief was responsible for governing, but The chief was responsible for governing, but general assemblies of armed men made the general assemblies of armed men made the decisionsdecisions

Assent indicated by brandishing their javelinsAssent indicated by brandishing their javelins Unlike Roman law, was not legislatedUnlike Roman law, was not legislated Aim: to publicly shame the guilty, such as adultery Aim: to publicly shame the guilty, such as adultery

(see pp. 244-246)(see pp. 244-246) Trial by jury is derived from common law—and Trial by jury is derived from common law—and

Germanic law.Germanic law.

Charlemagne and the Holy Charlemagne and the Holy Roman EmpireRoman Empire

Charlemagne (Charles the Great) Charlemagne (Charles the Great) rose to a throne rose to a throne hoping to restore the Roman empire under Christian hoping to restore the Roman empire under Christian leadership leadership

In a Christian version of holy war, conquered other In a Christian version of holy war, conquered other Germanic peoples such as the Saxons, the Lombards, and Germanic peoples such as the Saxons, the Lombards, and the Slavsthe Slavs

In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him “Emperor of the Romans” In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him “Emperor of the Romans” thereby establishing a bond between state and churchthereby establishing a bond between state and church

Established administrative units under dukes and counts Established administrative units under dukes and counts to carry out his edictsto carry out his edicts

Fostered the arts, literature, and architecture (see p. 249 Fostered the arts, literature, and architecture (see p. 249 for details. for details.

Carolingian copyists invented a typeface, called a Carolingian copyists invented a typeface, called a minisculeminiscule, that separated words with spaces and added , that separated words with spaces and added punctuation, which Latin lacked. punctuation, which Latin lacked.

Medieval Life: Roots of Medieval Life: Roots of FeudalismFeudalism

Feudalism arose after the death of Charlemagne in Feudalism arose after the death of Charlemagne in 814814

Lacked a standing army, a legal system, or well Lacked a standing army, a legal system, or well organized state: fragmentation was inevitableorganized state: fragmentation was inevitable

Three sons divided the empire among themselves Three sons divided the empire among themselves separating French from German-speaking separating French from German-speaking

Attacks by the Vikings from the north and the Muslims Attacks by the Vikings from the north and the Muslims from the Mediterranean further created divisionfrom the Mediterranean further created division

Fragmentation of his empire led to people at all social Fragmentation of his empire led to people at all social levels to attach themselves to the dukes or counts he levels to attach themselves to the dukes or counts he had created and to any warrior with a followinghad created and to any warrior with a following

The search for protection and security lay the The search for protection and security lay the groundwork for feudalismgroundwork for feudalism

Structure of Feudalism Structure of Feudalism

The king was the chief The king was the chief protector of his subject in his protector of his subject in his realm, under various namesrealm, under various names

The lords formed the subunit The lords formed the subunit of the realmof the realm

The knights formed the The knights formed the military level of this structure, military level of this structure, with the serfs underneath with the serfs underneath themthem

The serfs were the peasants, The serfs were the peasants, though they might though they might differentiate themselves by differentiate themselves by social and economic class. social and economic class.

The Feudal ContractThe Feudal Contract

Feudalism involved the exchange of land Feudalism involved the exchange of land for military servicefor military service

In return for the In return for the fief fief (grant of land), the (grant of land), the vassal vassal owed his owed his lord lord a certain number of a certain number of fighting days (usually 40) in returnfighting days (usually 40) in return

Other obligations by both lord and vassal Other obligations by both lord and vassal were involved: courts of law, paying the were involved: courts of law, paying the ransom for kidnapped lords, and othersransom for kidnapped lords, and others

Provided a form of local governmentProvided a form of local government

When Knighthood was in When Knighthood was in FlowerFlower

Knights Knights formed part of the nobility who provided formed part of the nobility who provided the protectionthe protection

Comprised a closed, hereditary classComprised a closed, hereditary class Men were mounted cavalry warriors known as Men were mounted cavalry warriors known as chevaliechevalier (French for horse) or r (French for horse) or KnechtKnecht (German for (German for servant); servant);

The term The term knightknight was derived from the latter was derived from the latter Typically wore Typically wore chain mailchain mail (flexible armor made of (flexible armor made of

interlocked metal rings)interlocked metal rings) Observed a code of chivalry involving loyalty to the Observed a code of chivalry involving loyalty to the

lord, courage in battle, and reverence toward womenlord, courage in battle, and reverence toward women War games (such as jousts, or personal combat War games (such as jousts, or personal combat

between men on horseback) were frequentbetween men on horseback) were frequent

The Chain of Fealty Extended The Chain of Fealty Extended to the Popeto the Pope

The hierarchy of clergy from parish priest to bishop The hierarchy of clergy from parish priest to bishop to the pope covered Europeto the pope covered Europe

Sanctions ensured the power of the churchSanctions ensured the power of the church ExcommunicationExcommunication of the individual deprived him of the individual deprived him

or her from the benefits of sacramentor her from the benefits of sacrament InterdictInterdict extended this prohibition to entire extended this prohibition to entire

communities or fiefdoms’\communities or fiefdoms’\ Finally, any deviation from Church doctrine was Finally, any deviation from Church doctrine was

branded as branded as heresyheresy, thereby targeting the , thereby targeting the individual or community for these sanctions, plus individual or community for these sanctions, plus more severe, physical punishment—such as more severe, physical punishment—such as burning at the stakeburning at the stake

The Crusade: War Against the The Crusade: War Against the InfidelsInfidels Initially intended to recapture Initially intended to recapture

Christian lands from Muslim.Christian lands from Muslim. The crusades expanded to The crusades expanded to

subjugate pagan Slavs, subjugate pagan Slavs, Russian and Greek Orthodox Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Jews, and heretics, Christians, Jews, and heretics, among othersamong others

There were nine Crusades, There were nine Crusades, according to one typologyaccording to one typology

As in all wars, the Crusades As in all wars, the Crusades involved mass killings in the involved mass killings in the name of Christianityname of Christianity

Interpretation of the Crusades: Interpretation of the Crusades: A Defensive Move?A Defensive Move?

According to some historians According to some historians (e.g. Thomas Madden), the (e.g. Thomas Madden), the Crusades were a defensive Crusades were a defensive response to Islamic expansionresponse to Islamic expansion

Expansion was ordered by Expansion was ordered by Muhammad himself, who declared Muhammad himself, who declared war against other religious faithswar against other religious faiths

The Muslims were doing well, The Muslims were doing well, conquering two-thirds of the old conquering two-thirds of the old Christian world in Turkey, North Christian world in Turkey, North Africa, and much of southern Africa, and much of southern EuropeEurope

When Pope Urban II called for the When Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade (left), he justified it First Crusade (left), he justified it as a defense against Islamic as a defense against Islamic expansionismexpansionism

The Crusades: Holy TerrorThe Crusades: Holy Terror

ConclusionConclusion

The medieval era also had Germanic rootsThe medieval era also had Germanic roots The iconography of Christianity became codes for pre-The iconography of Christianity became codes for pre-

legal Christians in Romelegal Christians in Rome Some of the architecture was of Roman derivation, such Some of the architecture was of Roman derivation, such

as the basilicaas the basilica There were Germanic as well as Hebrew and classical There were Germanic as well as Hebrew and classical

roots of the medieval eraroots of the medieval era Feudalism itself came from the Germanic tribal beliefs Feudalism itself came from the Germanic tribal beliefs

of loyalty to one’s chiefof loyalty to one’s chief The hierarchy also was of Roman derivationThe hierarchy also was of Roman derivation They culminated in the Crusades against Muslims and They culminated in the Crusades against Muslims and

othersothers Next: how did the arts of the medieval era reflect this Next: how did the arts of the medieval era reflect this

social and political structure?social and political structure?