PENGUIN STUDY GUIDE CH. 1

CHAPTER 1: Louise Mengelkoch

The Middle Ages and their heritage: The idea of the unity of Christendom
Middle Ages: 800-1440 AD
Middle Ages named by later historians of the Renaissance as a pejorative term
800: Charlemagne takes throne as Holy Roman Emperor
1449: Council of Basle dissolved
These dates mark the beginning and end of Church authority for a united western Europe
Common history and common objectives
British Isles alone resisted rule
Kingdom included what is now Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Germany, France, Bohemia, Poland, into Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Sicily, most of Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, etc.
Peak: 13th century
That’s when the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire most closely matched those of Latin Christendom
Dream of popes, emperors, subjects and servants: The restoration of the world-wide domination of Rome
Which actually ended in 476
Roman Empire got so extended that they depended more and more on barbaric tribes to defend borders (became “federate” tribes)
Their numbers increased because they were driven into the empire by the Huns from steppes of Asia
The barbarians penetrated everywhere
Lombards: Italy
Visigoths: Spain
Franks: Gaul (which became France) and parts of Germany
Marked the decline of urban prosperity, reduction of commerce, retreat of wealthy to estates, breakdown in communications
Deepened the gulf that already existed between eastern and western provinces
However, barbaric kings still respected emperor in Constantinople; just remote

Significance of Charlemagne’s coronation in 800 A.D.
The empire’s center moved from Constantinople to Franks
east to west; Greek to barbarians
They wanted the peace and unity of the Roman Empire, but had little understanding of the things on which it was based
Signified unity of Christians in the west
Unity went beyond religion. . .However,
Their religious and political aspirations owed much to the Roman past
Social attitudes and organization owed much to ancient Germany (did not think abstractly)

Ideas which colored the historical outlook of Middle Ages
Saw the classical achievements and biblical history as one: continuous
In other words, Greek and Roman culture and the story of the Jewish nation was all part of the great Christian scheme -- God’s plan
People thought the world was “growing old” and the end would come soon
The reality: tribalism
Vendettas
Importance of blood relations
But you could leave your kin for others
Threat of force always in background
Germanic idea of lordship: noble birth
Protection and generosity, not efficient administration expected
courage and loyalty important
Magnificence of strength and riches displayed
Militaristic and aristocratic

Peace was not the natural condition in the Middle Ages
“A society in which martial prowess is held in such high social esteem is not likely to remain long at peace.”
Problems caused: hard to preserve a sense of unity
Common Latin culture and religious beliefs brought people together, but martial instinct and loyalties divided them still more deeply