MEDIEVAL EUROPE

For on-line information on a great variety of medieval themes, see Internet Medieval Source Book.
You might also find helpful the Middle Ages section of CivWeb.

GENERALIZATION: Western European society during the Middle Ages did and excellent job providing physical security, ethical guidance, and emotional fulfillment to its members. Comment.

ID'S: GREGORY THE GREAT, BENEDICTINES, CHARLEMAGNE, FEUDALISM, CRUSADES,SONG OF ROLAND, LANCELOT, ROMANESQUE, GOTHIC, ANSELM, ABELARD, AQUINAS,ST. FRANCIS

I. Western Europe in Early Middle Ages (476--1000 A.D.)

A. Barbarian invasions and affects

B. Impact of Church

1. Gregory the Great

2. Benedictine monks (poverty, chastity, obedience)

C. Dream of restored Rome

1. Charlemagne

D. Feudalism

II. The High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.)

A. Physical security

1. End of Barbarian invasion, Europe Agressor: Crusades

2. Restoration of centralized authority in Holy Roman Empire, England, and France

3. Agricultural/technological improvement

III. Ethical Guidance and Emotional Fulfillment

A. Literature

1. Song of Roland

A translation of The Song of Roland.

2. Lancelot

A nicely done e-version of Chretien De Troyes' Lancelot.

B. Art

1. Romanesque

2. Gothic

A few examples of Gothic art.

C. Intellectual Life

1. Universities

2. Theology

a. St. Anselm (Ontological proof for the existence of God)

b. Peter Abelard (Sic et Non--Yes and No)

c. Peter Lombard (Sentences)

d. St. Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica, Summa Contra Gentiles)

D. Spiritual Life

1. Benedictines

2. Stricter Orders: Carthusians, Cistercians

3. Friars

a. Dominicans

b. Franciscans

(You can send a friend a St. Francis e-card and get more information on Francis here.)

4. Sacramental system