Medieval Times (i posted nothing the first time on purpose)

I believe Christianity to be the major underlying ideology that fuels the "medieval" time period.  We began the class with the fact that Christianity was not heavily represented in the world.  The religion slowly built strength and threatened eastern nations.  Bishops and and priests were determined to convert as many people as they could to their religion, and knights focused on protecting the Christian faith.  These crusaders were willing to kill to enforce its teachings, evident in the wars that broke out due to differences in religious doctrine.  After numerous conquests and missions to add believers to the faith, Christianity undoubtedly proved to be more significant than human life.  Roland and Chronicles demonstrated an undying passion heavily influenced by unquestionable confidence in the truth of biblical teachings.  The underlying devotion to religious doctrine throughly shaped the actions and writings that took place during this time.

Medieval Times

Medieval to me means the period in which we are studdying, which I believe is from the "fall" of the Roman Empire to around the Enlightenmnt. That is the time, but to me the term means four diferent things in a religious context. It first means the spreading of a relatively new religion across the Mediterranean and Gaul. In this time scholars were making sense of this religion and dramatic displays of faith made saints. Next, meieval means the institutionalization of that Christian religion as bishoprics spread and gain influence over Frankish kings and their people. This religion is also seen in slightly different forms in Norse settlers and in England. Next, we see a period of further institutionalization in which warriors go to defend their religion while the educated begin to use reason to govern their lives under God and make sense of certain religious messages. Lastly, is the period we study now. So far, I see from Salimbene the questioning of the "most holy" pope, using the concepts of scripture and reason, both of which he seems deeply familiar with, to do. New reformist orders are prominent and the different interperatations of Christianity seem to each be strong, yet still strongly accept the Roman papal authority. I think many people see the "medieval age" as a loss of individualism and a move towards Christian communities. Yet, we have seen that often times, it is a few individuals like Augustine, or Gregory that teach and impose Christianity on communities that are often conscerned with many very individualistic things. Joinville and Salimbene are clearly highly educated and while their conscerns are diferent than ours, and the period that immediately follows them, they are not lacking in enlightened or intelligent views. In fact, Medieval is a misnomer. This period could be split up and analysed into several different periods time and time again. Out of this period develops nations, and that is about the only thing other than religion I can see that joins it together as one age.

Originally the medieval world to me was defined by knights doing chivalrous deeds, their relationship to kings, wars, plague and, of course, the dominance of Christianity. However, after going through the course, I realize my original perception of the medieval world was based on a small and, more likely, fake time period. Now, however, the medieval world to me is defined by a struggle to survive and become dominant in a world filled with competition. In Augustine’s book, we saw that Christianity was in no way the only or even the dominant religion, and even Augustine, a Saint, was once a non-Christian. However, The History of the Franks offers a stronger example of this example. Early in the book, we see kings converting between religions for military reasons, hoping that the Christian god will “work” better than the Pagan gods. The existence of wars between brothers, uncles, and even fathers helps show that a constant struggle for power existed. However, even soldiers could not be depended on, if a King was unable to provide “loot,” such as Lothar, soldiers would rebel. While the time of Joinville and the Song of Roland, seems to have been slightly more peaceful and stable, their worlds were stilled filled with wars against a new enemy “Saracens.” Therefore, Medieval means to me a world filled with both physical and mental dangers where people had to struggle to live and survive.

Garden of Earthly Delights

Here is a link to a super large full version of the Hell side of Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights triptych:
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~colbert/GardenHUGE.jpg
You can also do a Google image search for Garden of Earthly Delights to find the entire triptych.

Blog Assignment 9

What does "medieval" mean to you?

Reading Assigments

Wednesday: Salimbene, Chronicle 3-61 (in your reader)
Friday: Salimbene, Chronicle 147-175 (in your reader)
Monday: Catch Up Suckas!