The High Middle Ages

Section 4: Life and Culture in the Middle Ages

In this section you will find out how languages and literature changed during the Middle Ages.

• You will discover how educations changed.

• You will learn about developments in philosophy and science.

• Finally, you will learn about the architecture that characterized the later Middle Ages.

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Focus Questions

1. What important changes took place in language and literature in the Middle Ages? Why?

2. How were medieval universities like guilds?

3. How did religion affect philosophy and science during the Middle Ages?

4. How did the Romanesque and Gothic styles of church architecture differ from each other?

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Chapter 14: The High Middle Ages

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Vocabulary

Section 4

vernacular languages: Everyday speech that varies from place to place

troubadours: Traveling singers who entertained people during the Middle Ages

Dante Alighieri: Author of The Divine Comedy, considered one of the world's greatest works of literature; also known as the father of the Italian language

Geoffrey Chaucer: English author of The Canterbury Tales, a group of stories told by pilgrims traveling to the shrine at Canterbury

scholasticism: Medieval philosophy that attempted to bring together faith and reason

Peter Abelard: Important philosopher of scholasticism who questioned many of the church’s teachings

Thomas Aquinas: Great scholar and philosopher who summarized medieval Christian thought

Gothic: Style of church architecture developed by master builders during the mid-1100s, characterized by tall spires and flying buttresses

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Section 4 Summary

Among the important changes in European culture during the Middle Ages were changes in language and literature. While Latin remained the language of educated people, ordinary people spoke vernacular languages, everyday speech that varies from place to place.

During the Middle Ages writers began using vernacular languages in literature. Early forms of vernacular literature included the songs of troubadours, traveling singers who entertained people with poems about love and chivalry. Romances such as the adventures of King Arthur were also popular.

The French wrote short comic stories in verse and animal stories, or fables. Another vernacular form was the national epic, a long poem about a hero.

Dramas were also in vernacular languages. Vernacular literature reached its height in the works of Dante Alighieri and Geoffrey Chaucer. Dante was born in Tuscany, Italy, in 1265. His work The Divine Comedy is considered one of the world’s greatest works of literature. In his imaginary journey through the afterlife, Dante criticized Italian society by placing key figures in hell. Because he wrote in the Tuscan dialect, it became Italy’s written language. Some consider Dante the father of Italian.

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in England in about 1340. His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales, a group of stories told by 30 pilgrims traveling together to the shrine at Canterbury. Chaucer’s pilgrims poke fun at English society, especially clergy who were profiting from their occupation. Chaucer wrote in a vernacular dialect known as Middle English. He greatly influenced the language and style of later writers.

As towns grew larger, schools opened. Teachers and students often formed a guild called a universitas to protect and gain rights for themselves. Universities soon arose throughout Europe. Students had to pass certain stages of study to receive degrees. The first degree was the bachelor of arts, which was like finishing an apprenticeship in a craft guild. The second degree was the master of arts, which admitted students to the guild of teaching.

Some students went on to study law, medicine, or theology. Medieval philosophers studied Greek and Roman philosophers. They tried to make Aristotle’s ideas, based on reason, work with early Christian writings, which were based on faith. Scholasticism was the medieval philosophy that attempted to bring together faith and reason. Peter Abelard, an important philosopher of scholasticism, questioned many of the church’s teachings.

Perhaps the greatest medieval philosopher was Thomas Aquinas, a scholar and monk who summarized medieval Christian thought. Few scientific advances were made during the Middle Ages because the Bible and church were the main sources for information about the world.

Some technical advances, such as windmills, helped with everyday life. Church architecture was the main art form in the Middle Ages. At first most architecture was Romanesque, like that of the Romans.

During the mid-1100s, builders developed a style of church architecture called Gothic, characterized by tall spires and flying buttresses. Buttresses carried part of the roof’s weight, allowing church walls to reach high toward heaven. Large stained-glass windows filled churches with light. Magnificent Gothic cathedrals were constructed throughout Europe.

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Answers to the Focus Questions above

1. What important changes took place in language and literature in the Middle Ages? Why?

• In the Middle Ages, Latin was no longer the written and spoken language of educated people. They began speaking and writing works of literature in vernacular languages.

2. How were medieval universities like guilds?

• Medieval universities were like guilds because the teachers and students formed them to protect and gain rights for themselves. The organization of the university programs had stages of achievement, just as a guild had the stages of apprentice and journeyman. Also, like a guild, the university trained people.

3. How did religion affect philosophy and science during the Middle Ages?

• Religion affected philosophy during the Middle Ages because the Christian religion was central to all thinking. Medieval philosophers tried to make the works of Greek and Roman philosophers work with church writings and faith. Few scientific advances were made during the Middle Ages because the Bible and church were the main sources for information about the world.

4. How did the Romanesque and Gothic styles of church architecture differ from each other?

• Romanesque churches had heavy domed roofs, low walls, and few windows. Gothic churches had tall spires and flying buttresses. Gothic style was towering, light, and spacious with beautiful stained-glass windows.