Middle Ages Education and Architecture PDF

# Chapter 11 - Higher Education and The Gothic Period - How the Middle Ages Advanced Education and Architecture Perhaps the most compelling argument that the Middle Ages weren't the Dark Ages they are so often called is that during this time the concept of universities was born. While there is no a...

# Chapter 11 - Higher Education and The Gothic Period - How the Middle Ages Advanced Education and Architecture Perhaps the most compelling argument that the Middle Ages weren't the Dark Ages they are so often called is that during this time the concept of universities was born. While there is no argument that Europe saw a decline in many of the sciences and mathematics, that did not mean that the people were completely unenlightened or that they did not value education. The social structure during the Middle Ages was not significantly different than during the Roman Empire, and the status of peasants did not significantly change. Wars, raids, and skirmishes certainly affected the peasants often, but even these battles had been a problem as the Roman Empire shrank. During the Middle Ages, food production became easier, and the population began to grow much faster than at any other point in European history. More opportunities became available as serfs and peasants were able to leave their homes and move to new areas. The rise of towns meant that other skills were needed to meet the demands of the more densely populated areas and the people who lived there. The Middle Ages also saw the rise of an entirely new kind of architecture that is just as famous and breathtaking as any of the architecture that the ancient Greeks and Romans accomplished. In addition to these large, magnificent buildings, education began to be offered to people who did not have power and status, though it was primarily offered to those who were willing to dedicate their lives to the Church. Finally, some of the most influential minds helped establish a new direction for the continent. Much of their work reflected strong ties to religion, but those works have proven to be far more universal in their appeal, even today. The literary works and philosophies of this time permeate the European mentality, and those same works are still just as well known today (perhaps even better today with the higher literacy rate and the Internet) as they were in their own time. ## The Start of Higher Education in Europe The Romans were not interested in educating people who were below a certain rank. Their great philosophers, artists, and writers focused on a few groups, but for the most part, they did not care about the masses. People who lived far from Rome were considered barbaric, and they were not considered intelligent or cultured enough to be able to understand the finer parts of Roman life. This was not true of the pious people of the Middle Ages. There are letters from merchants, innkeepers, and other people of the lower classes to prove that the literacy rate was not as low as many people believe. Serfs and many peasants probably could not read or write, but others were not barred from learning. There was a push during the Middle Ages to start to provide education for more than just the elite or a few specific classes of people. People in the clergy could generally read and write, and they saw the benefit in helping to educate the people under their religious care. Like shepherds with a flock, they wanted to give them guidance that would improve their lives. Over time, the lessons carried out at monasteries, churches, and convents came to resemble institutions of higher education. As time passed, monasteries became dedicated to providing basic education for their students. Of course, not everyone could attend. Those who were part of the feudal system or whose jobs required them to be in the fields or traveling were unable to attend. However, monasteries tended to welcome anyone who was interested in learning about general subjects, including reading and writing. With many of the greatest leaders of the Middle Ages coming from a much wider range of situations, the Church had a much better understanding of the potential of its people (something it would forget by the early modern era as it fought to keep control). Cathedrals became the place where people could go for further lessons after completing their education at local religious centers. In this new environment, secondary education began to grow and flourish. Students who could attend the classes at cathedrals and their associated schools could learn more about the arts, humanities, law, and medicine, depending on where their interests lay and if the school had a specialization. Europe's two oldest universities began during this time: the University of Bologna (1088) and the University of Paris (1150). The University of Paris today is divided into more than a dozen universities, but the University of Bologna continues to be one of the most prestigious universities today, with an estimated 80,000 to 90,000 students. England followed suit a century after Paris, with the founding of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. It was the University of Bologna that first named schools for higher education. The name is derived from the Latin word "universitas." The Latin term refers to a group of people who are united as one body, a community, society, or corporation, and it was not originally intended to be applied specifically to education. Higher education was a concept that began in the Middle Ages. There may not have been as much progress in math and science during the Middle Ages, but they began to share knowledge with a much wider group of people. ## Astounding Architectural Achievements The architecture of the Middle Ages was completely unique and is frequently imitated today, and it is known as Gothic architecture. The beginnings of this architecture began in the early 11th century, but it was not an established style that was imitated until the early 1200s. The earliest buildings that reflect several different aspects of the Gothic style appeared in France around the middle of the 12th century, as builders and architects were drawing inspiration from some of the structures of the previous century. England began to experiment with the Gothic style soon after its appearance in France. Among the most notable buildings still standing of this style of architecture are Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, Sainte-Chapelle, and Notre Dame. The Gothic style was primarily used for churches, monasteries, and other buildings related to Christianity. There were smaller churches and private builders that began to adapt the style over the next few hundred years. One can easily recognize buildings in the Gothic style because there is nothing subtle about them. Their spires stretch up, making them easy to see from a distance. Gargoyles were remarkable additions that provided a very somber feel to these structures, enhancing the flying buttresses and pointed arches that still attract the eye today. Stained glass windows are one of the most intriguing elements of Gothic architecture. The buildings themselves may appear to very solemn, but the addition of stained glass makes them far brighter and colorful on the inside. The effort to construct these windows is very complex, showing just how dedicated and ingenious the skilled workers of the time were. Another thing to note was just how difficult it would have been to construct these immense buildings with the tools of the Middle Ages. People are often in awe of the Egyptian pyramids, but they follow a fairly rigid structure that offers a stronger foundation. By comparison, the Gothic style has many additions that at first glance are completely impractical. Although math and science were not nearly as important to most of the people of the Middle Ages, Gothic architecture proves that those who understood math did continue to push the boundaries, working to defy reason by creating magnificent structures that are still mind-boggling today. Also, consider the fact that these buildings were made almost entirely of stone and not the lighter materials of today. These buildings have managed to withstand an uncountable number of wars and battles, as well as centuries that have brought down newer structures that were not nearly so sturdy or impressive. ## Brilliant Minds of the Middle Ages The arts of the Middle Ages were unique, with the most impressive visual art of the time easily being the enormous Gothic structures. Similarly, some of the greatest works in literature still tower over the works that have come since. Most people could not name any works of literature from the Renaissance and the next few centuries, but virtually everyone in the west has heard of the stories written by the most notable writers of the Middle Ages. Part of this can be attributed to the writers of the Renaissance and later periods focusing more on math, philosophy, and science over stories. Still, the stories of the Middle Ages have universal themes and are so well written that they can still be related to today (even if the backdrop is foreign to modern audiences). One of the largest figures to come out of the Middle Ages actually is well known today because of his exploits and not because of his writing. Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a merchant who constantly traveled the Silk Road taking European goods to Asia and returning with Asian goods to sell. He interacted with Kublai Khan, working as one of his envoys. He fought with the Venetians against the Genoese and was captured. During the year he was imprisoned by the Genoese, he told his story to one of the other prisoners, Rustichello da Pisa, who wrote it down. It was a biography of his exploration of far-off countries, particularly China and Japan. There are still original copies of the story of his life that exist in Europe, such as the copy in the Paris library and in Berne. His story went on to inspire men like Christopher Columbus (another Italian) who helped start the Age of Discovery during the early modern era. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was one of the most well-known figures of the time. He was a prolific writer about theology and humanity, and he constantly sought ways to improve the human condition and soul. During a time when the emphasis was on religion and the Christian god, he wrote about them in relation to metaphysics, logic, psychology (long before it was an established science), philosophy, language, politics, and ethics. His most famous work was the proof of the Christian god's existence, and many of his writings are the foundation for the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church today. Despite people considering the Middle Ages as a period devoid of philosophy, Thomas Aquinas is considered one of the ten most influential philosophers in Western history. Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) is easily one of the most recognizable names today from the Middle Ages, and his most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, is still taught in schools today. It provides a deep look at the types of lives and professions of the Middle Ages (and a view into how those kinds of people were viewed by the general populace) as a highly entertaining series of stories. His narrative has been frequently mimicked over the centuries as people strive to achieve anything nearly as entertaining and universal as the themes in his book. His descriptions are vivid and relatable, with memorable characters that could spawn their own biographies and works of fiction because of the amount of personality he puts into each of them. Some of his other works are also studied, but none have quite the same level of character development and historical significance as this one. Chaucer himself worked for the English government, including working for Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV, all vastly different types of rulers. However, this collection of stories is what has kept his name alive for centuries after his death in 1400. Finally, one of the most influential stories in all of European history was penned during the Middle Ages, and its significance on every literary work since is well documented and impossible to overstate- The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). Most people have heard of the Inferno, the first third, called a canto, of this tale, and nearly everyone in the west is familiar with the name Dante. Both the Inferno and Dante himself are still referenced in movies, books, TV shows, and video games. The tale has permeated Western tradition in large part because it was a very biased take on Greek and Roman history, politics of his day, and how he thought historical figures and current figures would fare after death. He takes the readers on essentially a tour of the three realms of the Christian afterlife-Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven-and he is accompanied by a different guide through each of them. While the trips through Purgatory (covered in the second canto called Purgatorio) and Heaven (covered in the third canto called Paradiso) are more muted, the tour through the Inferno sparks the imagination and is incredibly amusing, even to people today. Some of the most quoted lines in Western literature come from this poem, with "Abandon all hope ye who enter here" (the sign over the gate to Hell) perhaps being the most famous. It is an absolutely inspired work that is still worth a read today because many of the historical figures are still well known today (such as Ulysses, Judas, and Virgil).