Medieval Period in European History - 1575 Words

Introduction The medieval period in European history begins after the fall of the Roman Empire around 500 C.E., and continued until the early modern period beginning around 1500. The medieval period is split into the sub-categories of early medieval (500-1000), central middle ages (1000-1300), late medieval (1300-1500), and followed by the early modern period (1500-1800). At each of these periods of time important political, economic, social, cultural, religious and scientific changes were being made in Western Europe. Early Medieval The collapse of the Roman Empire led to the emergence of three successor civilizations; Byzantium, Islam, and Western Europe. The absence of a strong central government led Western Europeans landowners†¦show more content†¦Elites would provide higher ranking nobles with feudal obligations of warriors, food, and/or animals in return for their protection or use of the land. After the schism in 1054 with the Byzantine emperor, Christianity was divided into Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodoxy sects. Urban masses began to challenge the authority of the church claiming that it no longer addressed the needs of the urban public. Heretics, like the Cathars and Albigensians, came into existence and spoke out about church wealth and believed in a dualistic theology. In response, the church instituted monastic reforms against worldliness and complacency within its ranks. In 1122, the power of the Papacy began to expand with the Concordat of Worms which was a compromise between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor over lay investiture. Also during this time, the Crusades played an important role in occupying professional soldiers. After the Byzantine emperors plea for help to Pope Urban II crusading forces were assembled and traveled to the Holy Land. Over the next hundred years they would be four crusades with the first crusade being the most successful and the fourth crusade forever splitting Western Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church. As the central middle ages came to an end France and England evolved into centralized states, while the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor were fighting each other. During this period, an important document was drafted by the English inShow MoreRelatedHow Truth Was Defined By Medieval Europeans1696 Words   |  7 PagesEric Green Urban British Literature 1st 3 December 2015 How Truth Was Defined By Medieval Europeans In life majority of people believe telling the truth is the correct way of living. Truth has endured the world throughout time and is seemingly unanswerable to those who do not understand it because this subject appears in every culture. Truth goes along with universal questions such as what is beauty, justice, and power. And love but none have a direct answer because they are all dependent onRead MoreMedieval Armor: Greatest Invention in European History715 Words   |  3 PagesMedieval Armor, Greatest Invention in European History When someone thinks of a knight, what do they picture? They may picture someone in iron clad with a giant sword and shield on his trusty steed. However, it was not always this way. Medieval armor is what knights used in the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval Era, lasted from the 5th to 15th century. During this time, there was an arms race going on which was snowballing and becoming more intricate. The 15th century wasRead MoreSimilarities Between Medieval Japan And Medieval Europe812 Words   |  4 PagesComparison Essay- Shogunate Japan and Medieval Europe When people think of â€Å"Medieval†, they often relate this to Europe. However, there was once a Medieval Japan too, and this time stretched from 1185-1868 CE. 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