The High Middle The High Middle AgesAges

When people discuss “theDark Ages,” they typically

mean the Low Middle Ages.

(That means the crazy centuries just after (That means the crazy centuries just after the fall of Rome in 455.)the fall of Rome in 455.)

However, the late medieval world is quite strikingly different from

the earlier one..

800 CE800 CE = the time of the = the time of the CharlemagneCharlemagne’s ’s Empire, which unifies France and Germany Empire, which unifies France and Germany under his kingdomunder his kingdom

1066 CE1066 CE = the time of = the time of William theWilliam the ConquerorConqueror’s ’s conquest of Englandconquest of England

On the continent, this later period is called The High

Middle Ages (1000 – 1300) and the Late Middle Ages (1300 –

1500) to contrast it with the earlier Low Middle

Ages.

The Low Middle Ages is a time of Germanic The Low Middle Ages is a time of Germanic tribes sweeping across Europe, of Viking tribes sweeping across Europe, of Viking

invasions, of small tribal kingdoms fighting in invasions, of small tribal kingdoms fighting in

war bands. It’s a chaotic, lawless time.war bands. It’s a chaotic, lawless time.

Here, we have the mast of a Viking longboat. Note the dragon Here, we have the mast of a Viking longboat. Note the dragon imagery, O ye readers of imagery, O ye readers of BeowulfBeowulf!!

Roman architectural technology is lost. Roman architectural technology is lost. Many early churches are simply crammed Many early churches are simply crammed

into ruins of old Roman temples.into ruins of old Roman temples.

Temple of Clitumnus,a Christian church establishedTemple of Clitumnus,a Christian church establishedabout the year 650 in northern Italy.about the year 650 in northern Italy.

The architecture was in a style called The architecture was in a style called “Romanesque.” It had some superficial “Romanesque.” It had some superficial Roman features, but short and squat.Roman features, but short and squat.

The Tomb of King Theodoric, barbarian ruler over Italy, built The Tomb of King Theodoric, barbarian ruler over Italy, built before 526 C.E. Ravenna, Italy.before 526 C.E. Ravenna, Italy.

So how do we get from So how do we get from this . . . .this . . . .

The Tomb of King Theodoric, barbarian ruler, built before 526 C.E. The Tomb of King Theodoric, barbarian ruler, built before 526 C.E. Located in Ravenna, Italy.Located in Ravenna, Italy.

……to to thisthis??

LincolnshireLincolnshireCathedral, England,Cathedral, England,c. 1200c. 1200

……or Canterbury Cathedral?or Canterbury Cathedral?

Or this?Or this?

Choir at Canterbury Choir at Canterbury Cathedral. Note Cathedral. Note the Roman arches the Roman arches combined with combined with gabled ceilings. gabled ceilings. Note how Note how talltall it is! it is!

From Anglo-Saxon

manuscripts

like this. . . .

First page of the Nowell First page of the Nowell Codex (the Codex (the BeowulfBeowulf manuscript) Cotton manuscript) Cotton Vitellius A.xv, Vitellius A.xv, produced circa 800 produced circa 800 CE, CE,

To gold-encrustedTo gold-encrustedbooks like this?books like this?

Gold-illuminated lettering Gold-illuminated lettering for Psalm 1:1 “Beatus for Psalm 1:1 “Beatus Vir,”from Dagulf’s Vir,”from Dagulf’s Psalter.Psalter.

Created in the court school Created in the court school of Emperor of Emperor Charlemagne. Charlemagne. Östreichische National Östreichische National Bibliothek, Vienna, Bibliothek, Vienna, Codex 1861, fol. 25 r, Codex 1861, fol. 25 r, 9th century.9th century.

Or rubricated books like this Or rubricated books like this one?one?

Illuminated initial “E” depicting the prophet Ezekiel, eating the bitter Illuminated initial “E” depicting the prophet Ezekiel, eating the bitter scroll from the angel before his vision.scroll from the angel before his vision.

Or artistic talent like this Or artistic talent like this monk’s?monk’s?

Illumination for Psalm 23. From ninth-century Psalter, from Saint-Germain-Illumination for Psalm 23. From ninth-century Psalter, from Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Stuttgart, Bibl. Fol. 23.des-Prés. Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Stuttgart, Bibl. Fol. 23.

To texts that To texts that

combine allcombine allthese lovelythese lovelytechniques techniques in a riot of in a riot of

detail?detail?

Unicorn Psalter, Unicorn Psalter, circa 1200 from circa 1200 from France. Note the France. Note the detail in the detail in the historiated historiated initial and the initial and the babuinsbabuins or or grotesques in grotesques in the margins.the margins.

We move from an age of We move from an age of Anglo-Saxon war chiefs and Anglo-Saxon war chiefs and

Viking pirates . . .Viking pirates . . .

The “Sutton Hoo” helmet of an Anglo-Saxon cThe “Sutton Hoo” helmet of an Anglo-Saxon cyningyning or or thegnthegn, dating to early 600, found near Suffolk, England., dating to early 600, found near Suffolk, England.

To the To the romanticizeromanticize

ddglory of late glory of late

feudalfeudalmonarchy. monarchy.

Statuary over Sarcophagus of King Henry IV and his wife, Joan of Statuary over Sarcophagus of King Henry IV and his wife, Joan of Navarre, from Canterbury Cathedral’s crypt.Navarre, from Canterbury Cathedral’s crypt.

That is the That is the question for question for

today.today.

Display armor from Belvoir Castle in Display armor from Belvoir Castle in England.England.

Late Middle Ages 1000-1300Late Middle Ages 1000-1300

End of foreign invasionsEnd of foreign invasions Warmer, milder, dryer climateWarmer, milder, dryer climate Population expansionPopulation expansion Expanded trade and commerceExpanded trade and commerce Foreign warsForeign wars Agricultural RevolutionAgricultural Revolution

Improved technologyImproved technology Improved farming practicesImproved farming practices

Medieval Agricultural Medieval Agricultural RevolutionRevolution

-New Technology-New Technology

-Expanded Production-Expanded Production

New Harness (horse collar)- New Harness (horse collar)- allows for heavier loads to be allows for heavier loads to be

pulledpulled

New type of Horse HarnessNew type of Horse Harness

OLDOLDNEWNEW

Old HarnessOld Harness

Heavy Plow allows better more Heavy Plow allows better more land to be cultivatedland to be cultivated

Windmills allow for increased Windmills allow for increased flour productionflour production

Grindstone grinds grain into Grindstone grinds grain into flourflour

Expanded ProductionExpanded Production

Reclaim wasteland for farmingReclaim wasteland for farming Adoption of three field system (crop Adoption of three field system (crop

rotation). Better system of land rotation). Better system of land conservation and production. conservation and production.

Agriculture RevolutionAgriculture Revolution

Better technology and practices = Better technology and practices = more food.more food.

More food = population growthMore food = population growth

-35 million in 1000-35 million in 1000

-80 million in 1340-80 million in 1340

Growth of towns and citiesGrowth of towns and cities

Revival of TradeRevival of Trade

Medieval Trade FairMedieval Trade Fair

Trade fairsTrade fairs

Large markets where goods are Large markets where goods are tradedtraded

Grow very large, many turn into Grow very large, many turn into towns with their own charters and towns with their own charters and laws.laws.

How did you get a job in the Middle How did you get a job in the Middle Ages? (for example how did you Ages? (for example how did you become a bricklayer or cloth worker) become a bricklayer or cloth worker)

Answer- serve as an apprentice to Answer- serve as an apprentice to learn a trade and become a guild learn a trade and become a guild member.member.

Guild- association of skilled workers Guild- association of skilled workers or merchantsor merchants

GuildsGuilds

ExamplesExamples Stone masons, weavers, cloth Stone masons, weavers, cloth makers, cobblers, coopers, brewers, bakers, makers, cobblers, coopers, brewers, bakers, metal workers, goldsmiths, leather makers, etc.metal workers, goldsmiths, leather makers, etc.

Only guild members could work in a trade.Only guild members could work in a trade. Limit membership to decrease competitionLimit membership to decrease competition Pass rules regulating prices, hours of labor, Pass rules regulating prices, hours of labor,

quality of work. Also provide social services- quality of work. Also provide social services- health care, widow and orphan funds. health care, widow and orphan funds.

Apprenticeship- 7 years, unpaidApprenticeship- 7 years, unpaid Up to 1/3 are exclusive to women, many are open Up to 1/3 are exclusive to women, many are open

to both men and womento both men and women