Middle Ages Flashcards
Describe the Papal States.
By the middle of the 8th century, Rome was unsafe as trade and defence were not helped by the Eastern Church/Empire. In 754 Pope Stephen II allied himself with Pepin the Short (King of Lombards). In 756 Pepin captured Ravenna and other areas of Central Italy and gifted these to the Pope. “Donation of Pepin”. A clerk named Christopher who made a fake document “Donation of Constantine” which gave Pope Sylvester (313-335) the right to rule Rome with “spiritual control”. These were both accepted by the Eastern Empire and Pepin, and so the Pope was made ruler of the Papal States
Describe at least one lasting effect of Charlemagne’s reign
Education and Churches. As most knowledge were in Monasteries, Charlemagne built Monasteries and commanded that Monasteries + Bishop houses were for people to learn and study in 787 AD. Old books like the gospels Carolingian handwriting developed. EDUCATION always SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT
Explain how Feudalism was an advance on the social organisation of Ancient Rome.
Feudalism, better than Roman Empire as didn’t use slaves. 3 classes of people - Nobility, Clergy and Peasants. Nobility commonly were from a line of warriors, organised and protected peasants. Clergy were priests who were younger sons of nobility, could read and write and important clergy could own a lot of land. Peasants farmed land, labourers and military service. Paid food for protection. Peasants working to be payed with stay/protection was better than having slaves that were treated badly, and who wouldn’t want to work some times. The attitude of peasants compared to slaves would be alot different, as peasants wouldn’t be physically abused, they had a job and weren’t just objects like a slave.
Was the first crusade a success? Explain.
Was a successful mission and pilgrimage to liberate Christians living in Muslem controlled territory and to capture the Holy Land. The crusaders first retook Antioch, then Jerusalem. Antioch was taken through bribing a guard, as it had a massive wall. The first attempt on Jerusalem ended in failure but after taking 3 days of fast and processing around Jerusalem unarmed and barefoot, singing and bearing relics. Stopped persecution of Christians and pilgrimes there. Established ‘The Latin Kingdom’, which was divded into ‘The Country of Edessa, Principality of Antioch, Country of Tripoli, Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Explain why Innocent III is considered a Feudal Pope
He had traditional views on church, power and authority, refused to give King Phillip II of France an annulment. Medieval popes were at the top of the Feudal system, appointing Bishops and Cardinals at the same level as Nobles. He is considered Feudal as he was extremely powerful and USED HIS POWERS on Kings; of excommunication, Interdict, Political alliances and Ecumenical Councils - to assert power. Excommunication on a King meant ‘the throne was empty’. Interdict was the refusing of sacraments to a whole country. Ecumenical Councils gathered all bishops to rule over the Church.
Explain what is meant by saying that St. Francis of Assisi was an “instrument of peace”
Used by God to promote and spread peace just as an instrument is used to spread music and emotions. He disliked wealth and built a small church brick-by-brick. Attracted many followers, and they were callled Friars who begged to experience poverty. Nursed sick especially lepers, and the dying. Preached, taught and looked after paupers, were cheerful and became ‘God’s Comedians’. He went to the Muslims to convert, and was even recognised as a ‘Holy Man’ and allowed to preach by religious rivals, enemies even. He loved his enemies just as he loved his neighbours.
Evaluate the successes and failures of the Crusades
Of all the 8 major crusades only the 1st and 3rd had some success. Called by Pope Urban II in 1095, starting in 1096, the first crusade captured Edenessa, Antioch, Jerusalem and Tripoli, which were turned into 4 governed principalities, in the ‘ Latin Kingdom ‘. The 3rd crusade in 1187 failed to retake Jerusalem after it’s recapture in the same year, but negotians allowed Christian Pilgrimes through. The Crusaders captured Cyprus and other cities + Ancient port of Acre. The most infamous crusade, the 4th, in 1204, ended in the ransacking of Constantinople, which caused increased hate for Western Christians. All other 5 crusades also ended in complete failure.
The achievement of Scholasticism
It reconciled two world views. The reason-based Greco-Roman scientific worldview, and the faith-based Judeo-Christian worldview. Aristotelian knowledge was used by St. Thomas Aquinas to rationally prove the existence of the God of Israel. Aquinas did this with his “Five Ways”, five logically strutted arguments for the existence of God. First being, Prime mover (the unmoved mover), first Cause (uncaused cause of all causes), Contingency (something is necessary), Degree (perfection) and Final Cause (purpose). This was used to convert unbelievers and atheists. Scholasticism planted the seed for later cultural developments of Classical Humanism and the Renaissance.
Describe the lives of ordinary people in 13th century Western
The lives of ordinary people in the 13th century was simple, but physically tiring. Most of society were un-educated and would have physical jobs like farming, cloth making and black smithing. Ordinary people were illiterate and didn’t travel more than 20 km from where they were born. Pilgrimages were to a holy place, Place of apparition or Cathedral with a great relic. Miracle plays of travelling actors, life of a saint or bible stories that educated commoners. All books were in monasteries. Interpreted the bible literally and thought the earth was flat and possible to fall off of, explaining why they tended not to leave their village or area.everyone went to church on Sundays and other celebrations and festivals. If one was poor, sick or travelling they could be given “hospitality” by hospitals run by clergy.
List and describe the major differences between Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals.
Romanesque Cathedrals have few, small windows while Gothic cathedrals have large, colourful stained glass windows showing stories of the bible and saints. Structure - Gothic Cathedrals use ribbed vaulting and arches, which carry the ceiling without adding much weight, and pointed arches which were light. Needed lighter and less internal pillars than Romanesque ones. Gothic cathedrals were filled with space while Romanesque cathedrals had a lot less space, huge square pillars, had rounded arches, like Roman buildings and 3 symbolic doors, of the Holy Trinity. This reflected the current people’s fears, as barbarian raids were frequent, and the churches having small windows and small space, they were very anxious and scared of barbarians, these interiors were dark and cold but made them feel safe. On the other hand in the Gothic period, the people were safe and protected by the European Kings, so displayed beautiful churches, while Romanesque were for safety.
Explain why Catherine of Siena is considered the most outstanding woman of her da
Joined the Third order of the Dominicans, and was dedicated to prayer and service to country and church. Prayerfulness, had conversations with Jesus in visions, took care of the sick, and most disgusting diseases. In 1375 she received the stigmata in prayer. Wrote to warring leaders of Italy, infighting, as well as spiritual advice. Led a campaign to convince the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon. Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome, but later eventually there were 2 other popes along with the successor of Gregory, Urban VI. At Catherine lives her life to heal the rift in the Church.
Describe Thomas Aquinas’ attitude to the relationship between faith and reason.
St Thomas believed that
