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300-1000 A.D. -- The Early Middle Ages
The Roman Empire grew too big and unwieldy; and became
further harassed by Germans and other
"barbarians" from the north and Persians from the east.
Emperor Constantine legitimized Christianity in 312 and died in 325.
The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 destroyed the centralized
structure provided by the Roman Empire, and the Middle Ages are
traditionally said to begin with the fall of Rome. The early
Middle Ages (c.410-1000) were formerly called the Dark Ages
because of the eclipse of EuroꮠĴaniv��iz��io୮.
After the decline of the Empire, certainly by the year 750, three civilizations
eventually dominated the area: Byzantine (Greek-speaking), Islamic
(Arabic-writing), and Western European (Latin-writing). Admittedly, this
is pretty much a Dark Age. The empire's systems of agriculture, roads, water supply, and shipping routes gradually
decayed, and artistic and scholarly work also faded.
The unity of imperial society, government, and culture was replaced
by the conflicting powers of the various Germanic tribes that now dominated S and W Europe.
1000-1300 A.D. -- The High or Central Middle Ages
The Roman Catholic Church gradually strengthened, providing the foundations of social unity.
Spiritual and political leaders, particularly pope and emperor, often clashed.
By about 1050, the invasions had run their course: the Moslems were in
retreat; the Vikings and Hungarians had adopted Christianity and so
became participants in western civilization.
In the tenth century, the three-field system of crop rotation became
popular. Horses which are more efficient than oxen were beginning to be used. Their
work-lives were increased through use of metal shoes , tandem harnesses for pulling with the shoulders instead of
the neck, and iron plows. Oxen were still used but more as a supplement when the horses needed rest. This resulted in a food surplus and a better standard of living.
Water mills and, in the twelfth century, windmills began to appear.
Protein-rich peas and beans are for the first time important in the
European diet, and there's greater consumption of cheese, eggs, and fish.
Soon cities were growing, commerce increasing, literacy spreading. This
was an age of reform and spiritual renewal. The arts flourished during
this period. Gothic architecture came into popularity thanks to "flying
buttresses". It was also the period of the Crusades.
This 12th century cultural and economic revival saw a growth of population, the
flourishing of towns and farms. The population was 35-40 million in the eleventh
century, twice that by 1300. There was an emergence of merchant classes, and the
beginnings of the erosion of feudalism. Universities sprang up, and math, reading,
and writing became crucial for the administration of governments and businesses.
1300-1500 Later Middle Ages
Medieval civilization reached its apex in the 13th century with classic Gothic architecture
and art and organizations such as guilds, civic councils, and monastic chapters. The church dominated intellectual life.
- 1300 saw the begin of a mini ice age that lasted until the 16th
century. There was winemaking in England until this time. It turned cold
and damp, and there was more disease (in people & livestock), crop failure, starvation and suicide.
- In 1348 came an outbreak of "Black Death" in Europe. The "Plague" was a combination of bubonic
plague (from rat fleas) and pneumonic plague (respiratory contagion).
- In 1378-1409 came the Papal Schism. A division in the papal court, when different factions
supported rival popes. Upon the death of Pope Honorius II, in 1130, the succession to the papal
Seat was disputed. The rival claimants were Cardinal Gregory of Saint Angelo (Innocent II) and
Cardinal Peter Leonis of Santa Maria (Analectus II). Bernard of Clairvaux gave his support to
Innocent II who was eventually appointed pope.
- From 1337 to 1453 the "Hundred Years War" preoccupied France and England.
- In 1453 the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks ended the
Byzantine Empire.
There have been two different dates stated as being the end of the Middle Ages. If one is an Anglophile (one who admires England, its people, and its culture) the date is the end of 1485. If one considers the Reformation as more important, the date is 1513. Reformation is the break with Roman Catholicism and the establishment of Protestant churches in the 16th century.
The demise of feudalism and the rise of nationalism, secular education, and other cultural developments produced a new age, the Renaissance.
modernization of The Church invention of Courtly love (intense personal relationships) creation of the Middle Class Guilds are formed to create first "professionals" modern Law combining some Roman and much Germanic Towns flourish from the rise of the middle class and commerce Farming technological innovations and crop rotation modern Banking (loans & credit)
Various Royal Colors: (Red, Green, Blue, Purple, Gold, Teal, Fuchia, Black
royal red, royal blue, royal purple, scarlet red (traditional bridal color), cobalt blue, and/or gold
Noble Colors: black, white, blues, dull reds, gray
Peasant Colors: earth tones, greens, browns
This site was proudly forged in the beautiful wilds of Canada.