Medieval Architecture

Prior to the deterioration of Europe’s stability, its “Economy was centered around manorial estates, but the onset of the crusades marked the decline of feudalism” (Clark). The downfalls of feudalism and the Byzantine Empire were two of the most significant political impacts of the Crusades. Not only was feudalism a political system, but it was also a social and economic hierarchy. Feudalism strictly stratified the common people from the nobles and wealthy merchants. In this system of government, a majority of the power lies in the hands of the king. And despite his supreme position, the king resides below the Pope in the feudal hierarchy. Some of the original Crusades endeavored to secure the Pope’s position by appointing a supportive ruler

The Middle Ages is a time period that took place between 500’s and 1400’s In Western Europe. This was a time of feudalism, sickness, death, poverty, war, and faith. In this time people had a government called feudalism which was a political, economic, and social system in which nobles were granted the use of land that legally belonged to the king as payment for their military, their loyalty and protection. There was also a manor which had a manor house, a church, a village, and farm land. In medieval times people went through hard time and many were unsafe there were many deaths and diseases which at the time a disease basically meant death. There are many names you could call the Middle Ages but the two best that describe this time period

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Europe remained split into two parts: Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe then after developed into the Byzantium Empire and left Western Europe in a period of slow development called the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages occurred around 500 A.D. to 1400 A.D. The Middle Ages were split into several different time periods called the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages, each period contributing to the tension or progress of the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages is deserving of the titles Age of Feudalism due to this governing style influencing the social order of the society and the Dark Ages because this time was plagued with disease and destruction, however, the

As Europe left the Medieval Era and entered the Renaissance, its political system changed in major ways. All political power was essentially ruined by the Huns and the beginnings of Western Countries being divided into countries started. “Europe was ruled by a new aristocracy: the noble” (Manchester 41). Men would acquire a following and then make a claim to land, the greater the following the more land was earned. These land claims were bound together to unify the Modern countries of Western Countries, the same boundaries today are common, such as England, France, and Spain. Most of these men thanked the divine power and were extremely loyal to the church. “By A.D. 1500 most of these sovereign dynasties were in place” (Manchester 55). One leader ruled over all of these countries known as a monarchy. Monarchs would have complete control over the lives of the people and in turn their people would service them first and their

Life in a medieval castle would have been ordered and organized, full of ceremony, and cold and smelly. Castles were first built in 1066, in England. Essentially, castles were the heart of the society in Medieval times. They sorted out a new social system of feudalism in place. Each new castle secured the power of a local lord over his vassals, “who was a holder of land by a feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance to the land.” (Google Dictionary). Medieval castles did not have electricity back then so people would only use candles or open fires for heat and to see in the dark. Medieval castles had their own traditions such as Heraldry, jousting, and hunting and hawking.

The Medieval Period lasted from the 10th century to the 17th century; this was the time of castles. The word castle is derived from the Latin word castellum which means fort. Castles still stand today as one of the most magnificent structures ever built. Not only are people fascinated with their grand splendor, but with their luminous presence of authority. Castles were not built for defense alone; they were symbols of social status, wealth, power, and intimidation. Kings and queens were not the only people to inhabit castles; noblemen could also construct their own castles.

There are a lot of theories of government but in the sixteenth century they used a specific theory that involves religion. In the medieval time period the divine right theory was employed. The theory that God chose kings and gave kings the right to rule. Back then people did not have much knowledge but were really religious, they believed in God and rely on him for the answer of everything. When it came to the king saying he was chosen by God, citizens did not argue because it seemed reasonable.

During the middle ages there were many different types of people. There were people who were Kings, Knights, and Serfs. Each were treated differently and in a specific way than others. During the Middle Ages they had different positions. They even had a social structure as in who was the highest and lowest. Most people know this by the feudal system. The society was dominated by the feudal system. The feudal system will be a pyramid consisted of different types of people from top to bottom depending on the power they had. It was based on the land economy, the judicial system, the rights of the feudal Lords, and serfs and peasants. The feudal system will affect all part of the society during the middle ages. The highest will be Royalty and lowest ended up being the peasants. There was a huge difference between those three different people. Since religion was also part during the Middle Ages the Pope came in first, then in it would be the King in the system. The Pope had more power than a King did, so the King came in second in the feudal system. Kings could grant positions to the Knights, Nobles, and Serfs as long as they were loyal.

Castles have been around for a very long time. A medieval castle was the fortified home of an important person, such as a lord or king. The medieval period, also called the Middle Ages, lasted from the 5th century C.E. to the end of the 15th century. During this time, many castles were built in Europe and the Middle East. They ranged from simple wooden enclosures to vast stone palaces. The first castle to be built was in 1000 A.D. Most castles are located in England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Whales. They were usually dark, clammy, and cold. Castles were often built on hills or on plains for them to be able to see their enemies. They were used for many different reasons. Castles were used in a defensive manner, in an offensive manner, and they were used for people to live in. They would serve purposes that just a regular place couldn’t serve. They were

A monastery is a place or building or complex of building that consists of domestic quarters and workplace for monastics, monks, and nuns. It is a place for prayers which could be a chapel, church, or temple. They support themselves in several ways by selling goods, donations; funds from organizations Monastery was founded at the end of the third century and most of the monasteries were allowed to get married and own properties. In the old and new testament monastery was not included in the scriptures. The person who lives a monastic life was called a monk which means “alone”. In the earlier time monks lived alone and in the desert at the beginning. They used to withdraw completely from society, part to run away from the emperor because whoever

People faced the rise and the fall of the Catholic Church during the medieval time. The Popes used to hold the final authority for the church and over the state. Pope Gregory VII asserted the Pope had granted the divine power from God because Saint Peter was the first of getting this

What was the middle ages like? What were the religions they believed in? What was the* Medieval Feudalism like? What was Medieval Feudalism? These questions will all be answered and a more that you might ask. In these pages you will learn about the Middle ages and mostly about the Clergy, one of the most important and busiest parts of Medieval Feudalism.*First, what was Medieval Feudalism? Medieval Feudalism was when the King was the most powerful person who also controlled all the land. But he couldn’t have controlled it all by himself right? The answer is...no, he actually had many barons working underneath him to watch the king*s land and make sure there is no commotion and rebellion against the king and crop growth and harvesting as well as taxes. What are the Clergy and why are they so important in the Middle Ages?

The most important monk of early medieval Christianity was St. Benedict. In 529 he wrote a rule for his monastery that would become the rule for almost all monasteries of early medieval Christianity. It emphasized physical labor and involved vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Benedictine Order of monks is still in existence today. Monasteries were indeed the centers of learning in the medieval period.

Many people have heard of fairy-tales in which monarchs live in grand, stone castles. These castles did, in fact, exist; they were built and became popular during the Medieval era. Medieval architecture was divided into two main styles: Gothic and Romanesque. In addition to castles, numerous personal manors, basilicas, and cathedrals were constructed. This architectural movement was paired with both the expansion of Catholicism and the transition between the middle ages and modern history. The most important elements of Medieval architecture are appearance and design, purpose, and connections to the history of eastern Europe.

Ancient and Medieval Architecture spans from the meaningful Zygurats in Mesopotamia to the elaborate Gothic Churches in France. Architecture has been influenced by many factors like environment, politics, and culture. However, the greater factor that influenced Ancient and Medieval Architecture is religion. Religion, Gods, and the heavens where the key factors in creating Mesopotamian Ziggurats, Egyptian Pyramids, Greek Temples, Christian Basilicas, Islamic Mosques, and Romanesque and Gothic churches.