The Decline of the Medieval Synthesis

MI: As the society begins to developed, the Black Death has taken place in 1348, leading to a decrease in population, social structures, and tensions begin to form.  The Hundred Years War- existed in the mid-15th century; France had a sign of weakness in French monarchy.  King reduced reliance on prancing forces of nobility, favor of armies paid of their own.  New military methods challenge monopoly~ archers learn how to unseat armored knights with powerful bows and arrows with crossbows.  French victory ended the war with the spark of heroic leadership of the inspired peasant, Joan of Arc.  About 1300, agriculture begins to no longer keep up with the pace of population growth.  Available of new lands are used up.  Population decline.  Black Death took place in 1348, taking town most of the population and social structures down.  Tensions among peasants and landlords, artisans and employees.

Signs of Stain

MI: Around the 14th century, the medieval society begins to question and move away from religion.  In the 14th century, land-owning aristocracy and ruling class of the medieval society was being question on their skill of warfare.  Traditional fighting methods were made by growth of professional armies and new weaponry like cannon and gunpowder.  Nobility—expresses rich ceremonial style of life with chivalry.  Chivalry~ carefully controlled, polite behavior, and behavior toward women  Upper class became cultivated  Shifts between church and state.  Taxation in early 14 century cause French kings power has great influence on papacy.  Relocated papacy from Rome to Avignon that surround by French territory.  Church weaken by losing western religious life, Church leaders occupied with political involvement that neglect spiritual side, new religious group form in towns, and devotion became separated from the church.  14th century- series of popular heresies went against hierarchical apparatus, resulting the church for experience of God and new series of myths (many were women) claiming highly emotional contacts with God.  Medievalism breakdown of intellectual and artistic synthesis.  After Aquinas work, church officials became less tolerant and declare Aquinas’s writings are heretical.  Thinkers begin to turn away from religion.  Growing interest in realistic portrayals of nature help shift away from medieval artistic standards.  Religious figures became less important and painters grew more interest in human features.  Italy- new literature and art was different than the ones in postclassical centuries.

The Postclassical West and its Heritage

MI: During the Middle Ages, Rome and Europe faced changes and imitations within the society.  Term “Middle Ages” implies lull between Rome glories and glitter of modern Europe.  Middle Ages were a period of Dynamism growth.  After 900 C.E. the gains of population, trade, cities, and intellectual activity created the vigorous period.  Universities and Gothic art consider being an enduring legacy of the Western society.  Imitation united the relative weakness, dynamism, and the capacity to make valuable contributions.  Change and imitation divided political rule in Europe resembling conditions in West Africa and Japan.  Imitations processes are compared with Europe, Africa, Russia, and Japan.  Crusades~ distinctive expansionist spirit  Warrants attention- more aggressive interest toward the world.