Defining Moments of the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages, though highly debatable, is thought to have started sometime after the Roman Empire’s collapse (Rosenwein, 2007). The Merovingian monarchy was the next ruling power; through their military conquests they gained territory. The Merovingians divided their territory into three separate kingdoms, and the ruling families sometimes ruled in unison, but more often than not fought among one another for sole leadership. This territory became much of the European continent that later kingdoms would build upon. They adopted portions of the Roman governmental and social systems providing a link with their Roman past, therefore passing the classical world into the future (Rosenwein, 2007). Their rule ended around 751 with the invasion Carolingians and Charlemagne’s rise to power. Charlemagne’s main focus was to create a Christian empire; however, diversity in the newly acquired territories made this a difficult task. A major accomplishment of the Carolingians was based on their precise translation of Christian text and documents (Fiero, 2006). With Charlemagne’s death, the empire began to break apart and was left vulnerable to invasion.

After this time period, there was no solitary reigning government, thus feudalism arose. Feudalism was centered on the landowners, who for loyalty and service, provided economic stability and protection to the lesser, weaker members of society. The pheasants or serfs worked for the landowners, called lords (Underwood, 2008). A group separate from the nobility and serfs arose from warriors; they were called vassals or knights. The void left by traditional government was filled by then filled by the Catholic Church. During this time period feudalism provided a simplistic form of government.

The Early Middle Ages were defined by religious growth in Christianity and Islam. The times most prominent leader was Charlemagne who, sparked the growth of Christianity. This time period was very turbulent, with many power struggles between rival territories. The Catholic Church emerged as a hierarchy and became a partial reigning power (Rosenwein, 2007) The breakup of the Carolingian Empire, started by Charlemagne, ended the Early Middle Ages.

The High Middle Ages marked the beginning of a period of change in the middle ages. From about 1000 CE forward, Europe started to transition from the turbulent period of the early middle ages. During this shift much of the barbaric violent behavior ceased National identities began to develop from people setting into townships and cities. With less violence it became safer to travel, this encouraged the re-growth of trade that the early ages had nearly ruined. With increasing trade the economy gradually improved. This period sparked the beginning of trading and banking institutions all across Europe.

Soon after, huge urban populations evolved into cities, and with them came universities. These schools were used to train clergy at first, but soon became available for people outside the church as well. With the success of literacy came immense strides in sculpture, music, art, architecture, and literature. These large cities started constructing extensive cathedrals and enormous monuments dedicated to Christianity. These vast buildings developed into beautiful Gothic structure symbolizing the middle ages. Christianity expanded into northeast Europe making people assimilate to the European culture and ways of doing things.

Although much of the barbaric behavior and violence ceased, the High Middle Ages were not without conflict. In 1054, the Orthodox churches separated from the Catholic Church, referred to as the Great Schism. This created two sections of Christianity. Despite the split, these two sides eventually came together again to stand against the surfacing of Islam during a period of wars referred to as the Crusades. During this time Muslims began gaining control on many countries and impinging on Christian Europe. During this time Popes, kings and various other rulers tried to unite Christians to stand against Islam and protect Christianity. These actions lead to the Battle of Tours, where the Muslims would eventually retreat from France and allow the Popes and kings to reclaim these occupied lands.

The High Middle ages were not only a time of economic growth within the cities and church, during this period technology and agriculture also increased and help Europe expand. During the 12th and 13th centuries, radical changes in technology brought new inventions like printing, spectacles, and significantly improved ships. Advances in production and innovations in agriculture improved the food supplies. This growth was the high point of the middle ages. In less than a century there were more inventions developed and applied gainfully than in the previous thousand years of human history all over the globe (www.Wordiq.com).

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