Rise of the Ottoman Empire 

(1299 to 1453)

What happened?

The Late Middle Ages of the Late Medieval Period was a period in the Middle Ages of the history of Europe form about 1250 to 1500 AD. The period followed the High Middle Ages and preceded the Early Modern Age, and in much of Europe, the Renaissance.

Around 1300, centuries of prosperity and growth in Europe came to a hall. It is characterized by increasing urbanization in Europe, severe economic crises, a revival of money trade, the decline of the feudal system and with it on the power of the nobility. The long struggle between England and France, the Hundred Years' War, divided the unity of the Catholic Church by the Western Schism. A series of famines and plagues, including hte Great Famine of 1315-1317 and the Black Death reduced the population to around the half it had been before the calamities. The economy was also adversely affected. In some countries a start made on the establishment of a strong central authority.

Despite the crises, this was also a time of great progress in the arts  and sciences. A renewed interesse in ancient Greek and Roman texts took root in the Late Middle Ages. The Italian Renaissance began. The absorption of Latin texts had started before through contact with Arabs during the crusades, but the availability of important Greek texts accelerated with the Capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks. Many Byzantine scholars had sought refuge in the West, particulary Italy. This led to the invention of printing, which simplified distribution of the printed word and democratized learning. Those two things would lead to the Protestant Reformation. 

Towards the end of these Ages, the Age of Discovery began. The Ottoman Empire cut off trading possibilities with the East. Europeans were forced to seek new trading routes. One of those expeditions under Christopher Columbus arrived in America in 1492. Vasco de Gama's voyage explored Africa and India in 1498. Their discoveries strengthened the economy of European nations.

Icon Pendant with Saints

Front side 30 mm. Found: Austria (JN0110)

Icon Pendant with Saints

Back side 30 mm. Found: Austria (JN0110)

Icon Pendant with Saints

± 1400 to ± 1700

About 90% of the population were farmers and were normally poor and hungry. The nobility and the Church had all the power. Everyone was a member of the Church and could be influenced through the pulpit during services. The rulers were also the ones who could read and write, which gave them power over the people. Life was focused on the afterlife. For fear of ending up in hell after death, the people remained submissive.

A saint is a title that a deceased person could receive from the Church. That person must have lived a very special and religious life. Saints play an important role in a number of churches. 

Canonization could be pronounced by a bishop, nowadays, (2020), only by the pope. There is one condition for becoming a saint, and that is to have performed 2 unexplainable miracles after death, which are recognized by the Church. In the course of history, it has happened that a canonization had political reasons.

A saint can usually be recognized by his attribute. The holy person can be called to help in case of illness or danger.

So relics became very popular. They would perform healings and miracles. Christians made pilgrimages to places where relics were displayed. Owning a relic was very important economically. That is why a trade in sacred objects, like this lovely piece of Mediaval jewely, started. 

The bronze was professionally cleaned to show original details.