The Middle Ages

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

The Middle AgesThe Middle AgesRome falls and the Classical Era closes.

The Middle Ages lasts c. 1000 years.

The Renaissance ushers in the age of modernity.

c.410 mid 400’s fall of Rome

mid 400’s 14th cent.

Renaissance Modernity

From the fall of Rome to the Renaissance c. 410 – c. 1350.

Includes “Dark Ages” c. 400 – 600, a misnomer, but learning and culture did decline.

Primary paradigm synthesis of three strands Celto-Germanic values, Classical values, and Christianity.

Viewed as a turbulent “middle” time between the Classical Age and the Renaissance (beginning of modernity).

Alaric the Goth sacked Rome 410

CE

The Middle Ages: Art & The Middle Ages: Art & SynthesisSynthesis

Europe 476 CEEurope 476 CE

The Middle Ages: The Middle Ages: A Useful Paradigm & A Useful Paradigm &

SynthesisSynthesisCla

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Celto-

Germ

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Values

Christianity

Artfrom the

Early Middle Agesshows the

synthesisof the three strands.Look for inclusions and

connections.

Brief Outline of Early Middle Ages Brief Outline of Early Middle Ages ArtArt

Early Medieval Art Early Medieval Art c. 375 CE – 1000 CE c. 375 CE – 1000 CE The Migration Period in Europe – Barbaric Art The Migration Period in Europe – Barbaric Art c. c.

375 CE – 750 CE375 CE – 750 CE • The Anglo-Saxons The Anglo-Saxons • The Visigoths The Visigoths • The Franks The Franks • The Ostrogoths The Ostrogoths • The Lombards The Lombards • The Burgundians The Burgundians • Hiberno-Saxon ArtHiberno-Saxon Art

Carolingian Art - 750 CE – 900 CE Carolingian Art - 750 CE – 900 CE Ottonian Art - 900 CE – 1002 CEOttonian Art - 900 CE – 1002 CE

Romanesque Art - c. 1000 CE – c.1150 CERomanesque Art - c. 1000 CE – c.1150 CE

Associated with the supernatural, power, and other possible symbolism, this turoe stone, exhibits early Celtic elements of art. Note the swirls. As time passes, this type of decoration becomes increasingly complex.

Megalith – Turoe StoneMegalith – Turoe Stone

1.2 meters high, Celtic prehistoric rock carving

In the Gundestrop Cauldron, note Celtic pagan gods surrounding exterior. Interior features battle scenes and possible sacrifice. Excellent example of Celto-Germanic metalworking without Christian influences. (c. 2nd century BCE)

Celtic Pagan ArtCeltic Pagan Art

Measures 14” high, 28” in diameter, and weighs twenty pounds.

Probably used in ceremonies and possibly ritual sacrifices.

The Battersea Shield , c. 1st century CE, also expresses the Celtic swirls, as does the lower shield. In time, the swirls will generate Celtic knotwork and spirals.

The Art of Warfare

c.350 – 500 CE, 77.7cm long

ceremonial shield


Examples of torcs and arm rings. Typically worn by Celts in battle and celebration. Usually made of gold, the larger and thicker the torc, the more status accorded to wearer.

The Latest in Warrior FashionThe Latest in Warrior Fashion

The back of a mirror, a clasp, and a purse lid show the craftsmanship and Celtic influence in these Anglo-Saxon pieces. The purse lid shows zoomorphic influence and cloisonne.

Everyday ArtEveryday Art

The Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells show the synthesis of Celto-Germanic art and Christianity. Illuminated manuscripts rank among the most impressive and important artifacts of the Early Middle Ages.

From the Book of Kells, c. 800 AD

Christian Synthesis

LindisfarneLindisfarne

King Oswald of Northumbria asked monks from Iona to found a monastery at Lindisfarne.

Corman, the first monk to arrive, reported Anglo-Saxons barbarous and resistant to conversion.

664 CE Cuthbert becomes a prior at Lindisfarne.

667 CE Cuthbert retreats to the Inner Farne as a hermit.

685 CE Cuthbert recalled to assume bishopric of Lindisfarne.

687 CE Cuthbert dies; elevated in 698.

Lindisfarne gospels and carved coffin created for this event.

St. Cuthbert


793 CE Vikings ransack monastery.

Afterwards, Cuthbert’ congregation fled to Norham with his relics.

883 traveled to Chester-le-street, sixty miles south of Lindisfarne.

995 they traveled to Ripon in 995 and to Durham in 1083.

1104 Cuthbert's tomb examined; body seen to be incorrupt.


Cuthbert’s relics were placed in the new Norman Cathedral at Durham.

12th century Monks from Durham later went back to the Holy Island.

1537 The priory, like most other monasteries in England, was dissolved by Henry VIII.

St. Luke, Lindisfarne Gospels

Cuthbert’s pectoral cross


Small coracle (boat of Roman origin) used by monks to cross Irish Sea traveling to Britain for missionary service.

Text from Lindisfarne Gospel

Page from Lindisfarne Gospels; illuminated manuscript.

Lindisfarne Brew House

Alfred the GreatAlfred the GreatAlfred the Great born 849; fifth and youngest son of King Ethelwulf.

Age of four taken to Rome and confirmed by Pope Leo IV.

871 Alfred succeeded AEthelred I as king of England.

Meanwhile…Viking invaders occupied north and east of England; Wessex also under attack.

878 Danish army led by Guthrum forced Alfred into hiding in the marshes of Athelney in Somerset.

878 Alfred's counter-offensive produced a victory at Edington, Wiltshire.

Treaty of Wedmore Guthrum withdrew to East Anglia. However, Alfred forced to accept Danes as rulers of East Anglia and much of Mercia.

885 Alfred repelled another invasion and in 886 captured London.

Alfred the GreatAlfred the GreatTo combat further invasions, Alfred reorganized the fyrd, created a ring of fortified strongholds around his kingdom, and built a fleet to reinforce his defenses. This earned him the reputation of “father of the English Navy.”

Alfred promoted education and learning, encouraging production of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle; personally translated Latin texts into Anglo-Saxon; including the works of Gregory the Great and Bede.

899 Alfred died in October and was buried in Winchester.

The Alfred Jewel is about 2 ½” long. Inscribed AELFRED MEC HEHT GEWYRCAN - Alfred ordered me to be made - in Mercian dialect. Cloisonne enamel under rock crystal, surrounded by gold filigree.

Anglo Saxon ChronicleAnglo Saxon Chronicle

A.D. 430. This year Patricius was sent from Pope Celestinus to preach baptism to the Scots.

A.D. 435. This year the Goths sacked the city of Rome; and never since have the Romans reigned in Britain. This was about eleven hundred and ten winters after it was built. They reigned altogether in Britain four hundred and seventy winters since Gaius Julius first sought that land.

A.D. 443. This year sent the Britons over sea to Rome, and begged assistance against the Picts; but they had none, for the Romans were at war with Atilla, king of the Huns. Then sent they to the Angles, and requested the same from the nobles of that nation.

Alfred – coin of the realm

Chess piece, c. Alfred’s reign

Alfred, medieval rendering

Anglo Saxon ChronicleA.D. 449. This year Marcian and Valentinian assumed the empire, and reigned seven winters. In their days Hengest and Horsa, invited by Wurtgern, king of the Britons to his assistance, … first of all to support the Britons, but they afterwards fought against them. The king directed them to fight against the Picts; and they did so; and obtained the victory wheresoever they came. They then sent to the Angles, and desired them to send more assistance. They described the worthlessness of the Britons, and the richness of the land. … Then came the men from three powers of Germany; the Old Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes.

Saxon soldiers – medieval rendering

Anglo Saxon ChronicleAnglo Saxon Chronicle

A.D. 793. This year came dreadful fore-warnings over the land of the Northumbrians, terrifying the people most woefully: these were immense sheets of light rushing through the air, and whirlwinds, and fiery, dragons flying across the firmament. These tremendous tokens were soon followed by a great famine: and not long after, on the sixth day before the ides of January in the same year, the harrowing inroads of heathen men made lamentable havoc in the church of God in Holy-island, by rapine and slaughter.

Alfred the Great King of England 871-899

Venerable Bede d.735

Germanic tribesGermanic tribes Merovingians 451 CE, Aetius called upon Germanic allies on Roman soil to help defend against Hun invasion.

The Salian Franks (a clan) responded, the Ripuarians (another Frankish clan) fought on both sides because some lived outside the shrinking periphery of the Empire.

Merovech (somewhat legendary & mythical) = King of the Franks at this time.

486 Clovis consolidated Frankish kingdoms in Gaul and the Rhineland.

Clovis’ victory ended Roman control in region of Paris.

Later Clovis converted to the Church, forgoing the Arianism of other Germanic peoples.

Conversion increased his status with the Pope.

507 Battle of Vouille – Clovis, helped by Burgundy, defeated Visigoths, expanding realm to Pyrenees mountains.


Germanic tribesGermanic tribesMerovingians adhered to Germanic practice of dividing lands among sons.

Frequent division, reunification, and redivision of land often resulted in murder and warfare within leading families.

511 Clovis dies. Realm divided among four sons.

For next two centuries, kingship shared among his descendents.

Visigothic Eagle, 6th century, broach

Merovingian “dragon”

Germanic tribesGermanic tribes

Mayor of the Palace chief officer for each kingdom.

8th century on Mayor of the Palace wielded real power in kingdom, laying foundation for Carolingian dynasty.

Fyrd –the army

Ivory diptych Carolingian, c. 800

Carolingian ArtCarolingian ArtCarolingian Art 800 CE – 950 CE

subjects: religion and revival of Roman Empire

style/forms: conscious formal links created between Roman Empire and the new Frankish Empire; classicizing – but without real understanding of the underling principles

key concepts: conscious attempt to “revive, recreate” the western Roman EmpireManuscripts

St. Matthew from the Gospel Book of Charlemagne

St. Matthew from the Ebbo Gospels

Nervous, agitated “spirited line”

Carolingian GospelsCarolingian Gospels

St. Matthew Gospel Book of Charlemagne 800-810 CE

Statue of Charlemagne

Carolingian GospelsCarolingian GospelsSt. Matthew Ebbo Gospel 816-835 CE

Statue of Charlemagne

Carolus MagnusCarolus Magnus

Frankish Mayors of the Palace represents a new aristocracy: a class of warriors. Wealth attained from land. Decline of urban culture and life; urban culture does not revive until the 12th century.

CHARLEMAGNE b.742 – d.814; ruled 771 – 814. Reigned 43 years.

Reign based on harmony developed among three elements: the Roman past, Germanic values, and Christianity. This is the full expression of the synthesis.

Charlemagne devoted life to blending these three elements; provided foundation upon which European society would develop.

Frankish society 3 classes: 1) peasants: those who work

2) nobility: those who fight

3) clergy: those who pray

CharlemagneCharlemagne

2.

Nob

ility

1. Clergy

3. PeasantsHarsh, brutal life. Poor diet, malnourished.

Illiterate, a few were devout Christians.

Better life. More food, little real nourishment. Lived in larger houses, but castles just as cold as a peasant’s hut. Most were illiterate and crude. Time spent fighting. Religious beliefs similar to peasants.

Most educated of classes. Only people to understand Christianity and had access to Bible. Held a monopoly on knowledge, religious beliefs, and religious practice.

Documents

The Middle Ages