Abstract An outline of the early medieval period, which saw the rise of new kingdoms in Western Europe. The paper discusses the rise and development of the Carolingian Empire. It also provides special attention to the economic and social structure that came from the collapsed Roman Empire and the Barbarian kingdoms.
From the Paper "In the pre-Christian era, the German tribes migrated from the northern Europe to the Roman Empire and occupied the northern lands. There were clashes between the German tribes and the Romans who considered them intruders into their lands and called them "barbarians". The collapse of the Roman Empire enabled the German tribes to explore the Western Roman Empire. There were three basic factions of these German tribes-Germanic Lombards who settled in northern and central Italy, Anglo-Saxons in Britain, And Franks in Gaul (France). The Frankish kingdoms later became one of the new western European civilizations."
Abstract This paper discusses the development and implementation of Charlemagne's plans to further education and spread Christian learning throughout his kingdom and all of Europe. Specifically, this paper details the importance of the involvement of Alcuin of York, who was the instrumental architect of Charlemagne's legacy of learning and knowledge, which came to be known as the Carolingian Renaissance.
From the Paper "Under the rule of Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, from 768 814 A.D., the Frankish Empire expanded in many aspects. Of all the Empire's augmentations under Charlemagne, in political, military and religious aspects, the increase in emphasis and quality of learning through the Carolingian Renaissance and the re establishment of the Palace School at Aachen had as much if not more impact on the future culture and history of Western Europe. However, Charlemagne can only partially be credited with the development of such educational ideas. The major force behind the organization of the educational institution at Aachen was Alcuin of York. Under Charlemagne's plans, "(Alcuin) established and expanded schools, libraries, and scriptoria in monasteries all over France. The impact of his work can be seen in the great increase of literary and documentary materials surviving from the Carolingian period. It can be seen in the number of classical texts whose manuscripts are in the Carolingian hand" (Cantor 230). The overall effects of Alcuin under Charles the Great can be seen today in that, "around 8,000 manuscripts survive from the late eighth and ninth centuries, and many more are known to have been produced" (Peters 118)."
Abstract This paper examines how the Carolingian Empire, which united most of Western Europe under one ruler in the late eighth century AD, was based on the domination of the Franks, including some of the greatest European kings who ever ruled. It focuses on the rule of Charlemagne and how his reign is considered the apogee of the empire for several reasons. It looks at how he conquered much of Europe, promoted the spread of Christianity and generally improved his people's way of life.
From the Paper "Like Clovis I, Charlemagne was a devout Christian and a firm believer in education and therefore was a great supporter of both the clergy and faculty. "Charlemagne practised the Christian religion with great devotion and piety, for he had been brought up in this faith since earliest childhood" (Einhard, 104). He built a great Cathedral, called Holy Mother of God in Aachen and donated a great deal of money and relics to monasteries, churches and other religious institutions. He often personally chose which person would be appointed to a given position within the church, based on how wise and virtuous the candidates were. Not only did he further and improve religion in his own realm, by conquering other territories he spread Christianity's influence."
Abstract This paper looks at the greatness of the Emperor Charlemagne and examines ways in which the Carolingian empire was governed. The writer discusses that one of the reasons that the Emperor Charlemagne was so beloved by the Carolingian people he ruled, was that he showed compassion towards the peoples he conquered, seldom manifest during the era. The writer also notes that Emperor Charlemagne demonstrated an administrative balance between the needs of the governing state and the demands of the powerful Christian church. Using references to works on medieval literature, the writer discusses how Emperor Charlemagne was said to embody the perfect balance between Christian and secular demands in ruling an empire.
From the Paper "However, despite the general respect for Charlemagne, controversies were still rife during this era. The ninth century eventually became a pivotal epoch in terms of the influence of religion upon government and the development of Medieval Christendom, only tenuously resolved by Charlemagne. The collapse of Charlemagne's Empire, the onset of the Viking invasions proved politically divisive in terms of governance and there were also were the many doctrinal controversies inherent to Christianity of the period to further tear apart Christians. The Archbishop of Rheims, Hincmar took a very strong stand against the absolutist stance of papal monarchy or kingly rule--like Charlemagne, he attempted to strike a balance between the two authorial needs of Rome and kings."
Abstract The accession of Charlemagne signalled the commencement of a "new epoch" in Western European military activity. Offensive campaigns were undertaken, larger and more ambitious than anything seen under Pepin and Charles Martel that re-established the Carolingian hold on the military and political organization of Western Europe. This paper assesses the preparation of military campaigns in regard to the recruiting, mobilisation, equipping and feeding of vast numbers of men and examines how [and with what success] the issues of geography and availability were dealt with. It uses the capitularies as evidence, looks at the role of 'missi' and addresses the argument of feudalism in the medieval state.
From the Paper "Military organization in the 8th and 9th centuries incorporated a number of different logistical and strategic problems each with the potential to disrupt even the most carefully laid plans. Preparation of military campaigns concerned the recruiting, mobilisation, equipping and feeding of a vast number of men which in turn was dictated by geography, availability and of course, the nature of the opposed forces. To this effect it is important to understand what exactly is meant by military organisation. For the sake of this argument, military organisation in Carolingian Europe was the planning, activating and carrying-out of predominantly offensive strategies with the objective of gaining or consolidating Frankish territory."
Abstract This paper examines the nature of succession and the physical role of annointing in the coronation ceremony. It looks at the conferment of the sacred character and subsequent 'making' of the king and the numerous political, social and theological benefits. Also examined is the relationship of annointing and Carolingian propaganda as well as strategies of royal protection and succession disputes.
From the Paper "Inauguration rituals in early medieval Europe represented the fundamental rites by which kings were made. No Carolingian or Merovingian king simply succeeded to his kingdom as a matter of route and it is to this end that the process of anointment has been interpreted as a highly significant aspect of Carolingian kingship. Indeed the increasing regularity and apparent quasi-institutionalisation of royal anointments from the mid-eighth century onwards suggests an importance in itself. Pippin's anointment at Soissons in 751 preceded the anointments of his young sons in 754, the anointing of Charlemagne's sons in 781 and 800 and ultimately set in motion a wave of such inauguration rituals for much of the ninth century. Early medieval rule was to an extent, defined by ritual and symbolic emblems."
How this empire impacted Western European society with its numerous political, military, cultural, and economic contributions throughout the time it reigned, and the reasons for its collapse.
1,544 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 1 source, 2001, $ 50.95
From the Paper "The early Middle Ages marked the time of early barbarian kingdoms rebelling against traditional Roman law because they no longer recognized the emperor in Constantinople as their sovereign. Therefore, they established vast empires in Western Europe; a prime example of such a kingdom was that of the Carolingians. Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, is considered to be the most successful Carolingian ruler despite the relatively rapid collapse of his empire caused by three dominant factors: external pressures, dynastic competition, and the rise of the aristocracy. Although the Carolingian empire eventually crumbled as a result of the above occurrences, it tremendously impacted Western European society with its numerous political, military, cultural, and economic contributions throughout the time it reigned."
Tags: charlemagne, contributions, dynastic, dynasty, rule, society
Abstract The paper provides a brief biography of Charlemagne and notes the improvements made during his reign to the quality of life in the Middle Ages in Europe. He improved education, helped unify Europe through military conquests and improved architecture.
From the Paper "During the long period from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance almost a thousand years later, referred to as the Dark Ages, Charlemagne is the only bright spot in European history; his is the only commanding presence. During most of this period, barbarians ranged around Europe, Christians made almost no progress against paganism and Western reading and writing were almost extinguished. This grim period, however, was illuminated briefly by Charlemagne and his reign."
Tags: ages, carolingian, dark, medieval, middle, renaissance, buildings, travel, war
This paper is concerned with the problem of whether feudalism and manorialism helped make post-Carolingian western Europe a more stable and peaceful place than it otherwise would have been.
Abstract The following paper develops the argument that feudalism was not a constructive response to instability, but rather an oppressive and highly unstable system which developed opportunistically at a time of great instability. This paper contends that feudalism was the climate of insecurity created by the dramatic Viking invasions of the ninth century that allowed imperial officials and local leaders to convert themselves into petty rulers of small castellanies.
From the Paper " In the long run, feudalism probably contributed greatly to the overall amount of instability and violence in early medieval Europe. Emerging from within a society which was admittedly already extremely violent, it gave aggressive lords the opportunity to seize land and labor, institutionalizing a new mode of domination over the peasantry, manorialism. To the degree that peasants passively accepted the manorial system, rural society would have acquired a more stable character. However, because feudalism fostered a culture of violence between lords which was only finally overcome with the reconsolidation of royal power in the early modern centuries, European society probably became less stable than ever until feudalism was gone. In the meantime, the only institution which functioned as a force for stability was the Church."
Tags: society, disintegration, empire, warrior, class, distinct, armed, mounted, men
Abstract This paper looks at the novel "Don Quixote" and the aspect of chivalry as a defined system of discipline and social interaction. The writer shows how this system was used by the classes of the warrior elites who grew from the old Norman rulers of England from the eleventh century, and from the noble French families that descended from the lineage of Charlemagne during the Carolingian dynasty. It also compares the chivalry of Don Quixote to this defined system of attitude.
From the Paper "The knights of old and chivalry are one for all time intermingled with destiny, the way of truth has always been seen to lie within this elite structure that was open only to the noble classes. Moreover we can also argue that with the elite structure of knight hood was only open to those members of the ruling classes after they had served a long arduous apprenticeship that lasted from the moment they were old enough to walk and talk. A dedicate upon is induction to the knight hood would swear to protect the weak, be courteous at all times, defend the church, be truthful, chaste and honourable (Wasserman 47). We can see by this that knights were an honourable and elite order, so much so that many a peasant aspired to be like these armoured men furthermore with so many stories and romances being written about these illustrious knights it is easy to understand why the role of a chivalric knight was the man to aspire to be, in this way we can see that Don Quixote delved into the ways of knighthood and fantasized himself to be one of these armoured men with honour and prestige. In looking at the book Don Quixote we will illustrate how Cervantes has produced an archetypal role of the Knight for his main character Quixano."
Abstract This paper gives a brief history of the evolution of the European manuscript. The paper begins with the invention of the Roman codex, then describes the development of Merovingian and insular manuscripts. Next, it discusses the Carolingian Renaissance of the 8th to early 10th centuries. In the medieval period, the manuscript developed through Romanesque, Gothic, and High Gothic phases, and the quantity of books and genres greatly increased. By the Renaissance, England and France had passed their zenith as centers of illumination, but manuscript production in Italy and the Netherlands began to flourish. The final period discussed is the late Renaissance revival of Roman themes. By this time, movable type had overtaken manuscript creation as the primary form of bookmaking.
From the Paper "After the Carolingian Renaissance came the Romanesque period, which many consider to be the "golden age of illuminated manuscripts." This period took place in the 11th and 12th centuries in England and France, but did not reach its height in Germany until the 13th century. All elements of the Romanesque manuscript were in harmony: the proportions of lettering and text, the page texture, and the polychromatic illumination. Pages were decorated with 'increased economy and concentration." Initials were the central feature and were decorated with foliage scrolls "inhabited by biting beats, birds, and climbing human figures." Word separation, which had begun in Ireland, was introduced on the continent. During the 12th century, books became larger and developed a two-column format. In this century, tables of contents and indices were added. Romanesque manuscripts showed a widening range of themes. There were more classical works, saints' lives, and chronicles; scientific, legal, and philosophical manuscripts also appeared."
Abstract This essay examines how economic development had a tremendous impact on the middle ages and early modern period in our history. It explains that the early modern period brought organized government and the Industrial and Commercial Revolutions, which helped establish different nation states as European powerhouses. The paper also looks at the fall of the Roman and Carolingian Empires to the crusades to the Black Death, and points out that there were many tragic and fortunate events that led to improvements in technology and the creation of capitalist economies. The paper then discusses the economic theory of mercantilism and the decline of Christian theology. In conclusion, the paper shows that economic development had a tremendous impact on the Medieval and early modern period due to vast improvements in centralized governments and trade routes which created an influx of money and wealth for European nations.
Outline:
Roman Empire
Middle Ages
Early Modern Period
From the Paper "Diocletian and Constantine were responsible for the political reformation of Rome in the fourth century (Spielvogel, 2008, p.116). Diocletian realized that the empire had grown far too large for just one single ruler so he divided the land up into four separate administrative regions (eventually western and eastern parts). Each had its own leader although he still retained absolute power over Rome. Civil and military reforms were now considered separate services from one another and each had its own hierarchy of administrators yet still worked under the overall Roman budget. This separation of powers is commonly used today in capitalist countries. However, this change used up large sums of the budget yet the roman population was not growing and there was no one else left to tax. This presented a problem and they soon realized their empire was suffering from inflation. Diocletian attempted to install new taxation prices but despite severe punishments, was unable to enforce the policies and they did not work. Constantine continued to drain the public funds when he decided to build a "New Rome" near Byzantium, named Constantinople."
