High Middle Ages (Europe)
(1066 to 1300)
What happened?
The High Middle Ages is the period of time that typify the Middle Ages best. It was a period of European history that lasted about 1000 AD to 1300 AD. It was preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages. Some scholars end it at 1300, others extend it with another 150 years.
The almost exclusively agricultural Western Europe of the Early Middle Ages urbanized and commercialized from the 10th century. Improving agricultural methods allowed the population to increase steadily. Numerous new villages and towns were founded. The existing cities, mostly founded Romans, also started to grow again. In Mediterranean Europe, the decline after the fall of the Western Roman Empire was less than in Western Europe. Italian traders joined the long-distance trade centered around the Indian Ocean. It brought the Europeans into contact with high civilizations and enabled them to learn from the Byzantines and the Muslims and technologies from China. This development started in Italy and the county of Flanders, with Bruges as the hub of trade between Northern and Southern Europe. Rich areas grew quickly. Trade made northern Italy the most prosperous part of Europe, followed by Flanders in Western Europe.
The three-field system made it possible for crop evenly distributes over the year. This also produced more oats, so that the hay-satisfied ox could be replaced by the horse. Thanks to three inventions (the horse collar, gear and horseshoe), it could provide more pulling power. Combined with the new turn shift, productivity could be up to three times higher than possible. The resulting surplus allowed trade, while also supporting a class of warriors who protected the peasants from outside threats.
The rapidly increasing population of Europe was a historical trend during that time. It brought great social and political change from the preceding era and the intellectual Renaissance of the 12th century, and from 1080, the establishment of such Universities as those in Paris, Oxford and Bologna. By the year 1250, the robust population increase had benefit the European economy. Such increase would not be seen again until the 19th century. There was an explosion of stone castle-building and the construction of the most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
The High Middle Ages saw significant events as Norman conquest in Britain and Sicily, the earlier Crusades, the Investiture Controversy and the signing of the Magna Carta. Nearly every corner of Europe had become Christianized by the end of the 11th century. The long established political force, the Papacy, reached its peak of political power, and was in constant struggle with some secular-governments and alliance with others. The warriors turned against each other and the local population. The Catholic Church called armies from across Europe to a series of Crusades against the Seljuk Turks. The crusaders occupied the Holy Land and founded the Crusader States In the Levant. The Maygyars ceased their expansion in the 10th century. By the year 1000, a Christian Kingdom of Hungary had become a recognized state in Central Europe. This state was forming alliances with regional powers. Major nomadic incursions ceased, with the exception of the Mongol invasions in the 13th century. The powerful Byzantine Empire gradually gave way to the resurrected Serbia, Bulgaria and a crusader state (1204 to 1261). The Byzantine Empire was reestablished in 1261 with the recapture of Constantinople form the Latins, but it was no longer a major power and would continue to falter.
In terms of material culture and political structure, the High Middle Ages saw medievalism as its peak. Feudalism was firmly established in Britain and parts of Europe. Trade in luxury items flourished, towns were granted charters of privilege. Feudal lords even established it anew with alacrity. A well-fed population was beginning to grow. By the end of the 13th century, Europe was at an economic and cultural height.
The High Middle Ages produced many different forms of intellectual, spiritual and artistic works. The age also saw the ascent of the great Italian city-states and the rise and fall of the Islamic civilization of Al-Andalus in Iberia. It also saw the rise of ethnocentrism, which evolved to the current (2021) national identities in most of Europe. The rediscovery of the works of Aristotle led Maimonides, Avicenna, Averroes, and other thinkers of the period to expand Scholasticism, a combination of Judeo-Islamic and Catholic ideologies with the ancient philosophy.
Viking Cross
± 895 to ± 1292
These cross fragments from Medieval Europe are automatically linked to the Crusades or the Holy Wars. Europe went through a period of Christianization, for which the cross became a symbol. Between the 8th and 9th centuries, the area between the Rhine, Danube and Oder was forcibly and violently Christianized. Our copies are the result of this transformation.
The Poles and the Hungarians were Christianized about 1000. In 988, the Kievan Rus converted to Christianity. The Finns and the Old Prussians followed in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Lithuanians are the last population group to be Christianized in Europe in the 14th century. We can place the crusades somewhere in that time period. The Latin Catholic Church usually wore copper cross pendants on necklaces as charms (= small objects). The cast bronze cross had an integral hanging loop.
These antique cross pendant fragments come from an early Christian period. They have an old "budding" ornate design. Each recessed cavity on the arms and center of the cross, both the front and back, contains enamel decorations. The five circular areas are representative of the five wounds Christ suffered during the crucifixion. Similar objects are called a "Viking Cross". This is because they are often found in old Viking villages. The gradual conversion of the indigenous peoples to Christianity led to the inclusion of the cross in Viking culture.
The wear on the fragments shows that they were worn continuously for decades. During the Viking Age, such crosses traveled through Europe. It was a period of Norwegian military, trading and migrating peoples that reached France, Italy, the Byzantine Empire, the Baltic States and ancient Russia (= Kievan Rus).
Replica. Found: Spain (JN0314)
Medieval Flail
± 1096 to ± 1272
The flail is a medieval weapon consisting of a shaft with a chain at the end. In general, a weighted metal sphere or short metal rod hangs from it, which is often provided with metal tips. It is an excellent weapon against an opponent who is defending with a shield.
Little is known about the history of the flail. Their origin is placed during the Crusades (1096 to 1272). Priests were not officially allowed to carry a weapon, and a beautiful stick with a star-shaped end would have been intended to be able to defend themselves. But they may have originated as a weapon in the Early Middle Ages or even Roman times. It is not clear whether they are developed from flails used in grain cutting or are called flail only because of a similarity in construction.
Flails differ greatly. The most common types have a short handle with a long chain, for hand-to-hand combat against a shield bearer. But lance-like, long-handled examples are also known. These are more suitable for reaching over a shield. The weapon is incorrectly called a morning star. Much is known about the weapon, but much is not. That is why there is so much doubt.
Tumbled Stone - Red Jasper
± 1098 to ± 1179
Jasper means ‘spotted or speckled stone’, derived from Old French ‘jaspre’ and Latin ’jaspisdem’ and Greek ‘jaspis’. It is a Chalcedony in the family of Quartz, considered the mother of all gems in ancient times. This is due its beautiful bright colors and good workability.
Between the 5th and 4th millennium BC, green jasper was used to make bow drills. Jasper is known to have been a favorite gem in the ancient world. Its name can be tracked back to Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Assyrian, Greek and Latin. About 1800 BC, on Minoan Crete, jasper was carved to produce seals.
In ancient civilizations polished jasper was favored by the people. The jasper of antiquity was in many cases green, often compared to emerald and other green objects. Jasper has been used all over the world as a gemstone, and often as sacred. In the early days of Mesopotamia, green and red jasper’s were all the rage. Green jasper has held in high value since 5000 BC. The ancient Indus Valley Civilization (about 3300 to 1300 BC), also refers to this stone.
The red jasper was revered by the ancient Egyptians for the association with the blood of mother Isis, one of the most worshiped deities in the first millennium BC. It was often carved into amulets that were placed on the necks of the deceased with a scene of the 156th Chapter from the Book of the Dead. Rings and earrings made of red jasper were also popular at the time. Similarly some Northern American Indians referred to Red jasper as the ‘Blood of Mother Earth’. It stimulated heath and rebirth. It is believed that, instead of Ruby, the first stone put into High Priest Aaron’s Breastplate, from the Biblical Exodus, is most likely red jasper.
In the Middle Ages, red jasper was a real man’s stone. It was associated with Mars, the ancient Roman god of war, because of its red color. Weapons adorned with red jasper would greatly enhance the owner’s strength and courage. It was believed that an amulet of red jasper made you sharp-minded and quick-witted. In addition, it would protect against bad luck, disaster and unnecessary risks. Red Jasper was a popular stone for signet rings, beads and jewelry too.
According to the Norse legend, the magic sword of Siegfried the dragon slayer was inlaid in the hilt of the hero’s magical sword, with this gemstone, to guide him with courage in his trials of adversity.
The German mystic Hildegard von Bingen liked to use red jasper against ailments an problems, including insect, spider and snake bites, epilepsy and moon sickness (= sleepwalking). By holding a piece of red jasper while giving birth, the mother would protect herself and her child from evil spirits.
Replica. Found: Spain (JN0204)
Saffron
± 1100 to ± 1200
Saffron was a popular seasoning and coloring agent in elite kitchens. Many savory and sweet dishes and many drinks have been seasoned with it from ancient times to the present day (2021). The precious stamen of the saffron crocus may therefore be called the gold of the historical kitchen.
Especially in the Middle Ages, it was abundantly sprinkled. It disappeared in stews, sauces, marinades, dressings, batter, dough, puddings, cake, and pies.
According to research, saffron has its origins in Greece. The saffron crocus already appears on frescoes from Crete and Santorini from 1600 BC. From Greece, the plant spread not only across the Mediterranean area, but far into the Arab world. Today, the vast majority of saffron comes from Iran.
Saffron consists of the pistils of the saffron crocus. Officially it is a spice. The pistils can only be harvested by hand and each crocus has only three. About 150,000 flowers are needed for a kilogram of saffron. That makes it an expensive spice. The most expensive spice out there. In weight it is more expensive than gold.
This saffron is Coupé Saffron from Spain, the highest quality available, of which it is characteristic that about 20% of the less powerful pistils are removed from the stock. It has a powerful aroma and flavor, so you only need a few threads to make dishes shine. Saffron has been used in a variety of dishes throughout history. In addition to a cooking ingredient, it was also used for baking, such as in pastries and in sandwiches.
Replica. Found: Indonesia (JN0205)
Laos
± 1100 to ± 1200
Laos or "galanga" is a spice that mainly found a place in medieval cuisine. Stews, sauces, pies, and fruit dishes were flavored. It is related to ginger and tastes a bit like it. However, it is slightly less peppery and fresher and has notes of citrus.
The spice probably originates from Indonesia but is grown in Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, the herb was certainly used in Europe as early as the twelfth century: Hildegard van Bingen used it at that time as a medicine for "heart pain".
Crusade Templar Cross Coin
± 1131 to ± 1320
The Crusades were a period of events during the Middle Ages in which Christians and Muslims competed among themselves for supremacy in the Middle East, especially Jerusalem.
It started in 1095 when Pope Urban II made a fiercely anti-Islamic speech. He wanted to launch a revenge campaign to liberate Jerusalem from “barbarians”. The Byzantine emperor had called for helps several times. As a reward for participating in the action, all sins were forgiven, and a guarantee of eternal life was offered. A period of religious fanaticism and extreme violence began.
The First Crusade involved about 80.000 people (men, women, and children) who traveled 4000 km to the Holy Land. About 10.000 people reached their goal. The rest had perished, returned, settled en route, or sold into slavery.
The Second to Eighth Crusades were less successful. Saladin captured Jerusalem after the Second. King Richard the Lionheart led the Third Crusade, but he failed to recapture Jerusalem. The subsequent trips were also failures. Acre, the last Crusader city, fell in 1291, and was considered the end of the Crusade era.
The Templars formed a knighthood with roots dating back to the Crusades period. They originated as a brotherhood of several Crusaders. These knights were recognizable by their white cloak with a red cross on the left chest. Originally, they were a small group of knights protecting pilgrims in the Holy Land. The order grew into a powerful and wealthy knighthood, which ultimately led to their downfall. The members of the order of the Templars gave their money and property to the order. They often conquered territory, estates, and possessions of enemies. Those territories in turn raised money for the order. The Templars had so much money that the order began to act as a banker and steward. They lent money to the French king and the Pope. Templars collected taxes and managed the wealth of wealthy merchants. They charged a commission, which again generated income.
The Templars had lent large sums to the French king who wasted this money on the war against the English. The order refused to lend money to Philip IV any longer. The king of France became furious and saw the Templars as a threat, because they wanted to create a mini state in France. Philip accused the Templars of heresy and forced Pope Clement V to side with the king. Members of the knighthood were persecuted and arrested. Through torture they made statements and the entire knighthood was disbanded.