Britain in the Middle Ages (400-1400 AD)
History tends to have a way of defining itself, the Middle Age or commonly known as the medieval period, tends to describe the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the rising of the Renaissance era in the 14th century. The middle-age period (400-1400 AD) has significant impacts on the European people. At this period, scientist tends to relate it as the Dark age era, reason being, it was a period where no great leader had been born, no scientific accomplishment or discoveries made or even great art produced. This paper critically analyzes the major themes that took place during this time frame of 400-1400, the historical arts that had a significant impact, and the future of Britain foreseen by that time overall legacy.
Religion
During the middle age, Christianity religion had a high impact on the people.it was the period where Christianity flourished in Europe. There were no state or any government that was able to unite its people with the decline of the Roman rule. People come together as a result of moral action as it gave out a chance to start and embrace a new life. Hence, the catholic church raised to be a powerful institution in that period (Bowman,2019). In this period, different views of life embraced as most people rejected the traditional values and ancient learning. Political leaders at this period gained much of their power from the church and their alliances. It was at this period where levy got introduced, and people were to give 10 percent of their earning to the church annually.
In 632CE, after Mohammed’s death, Islam religion conquered several parts of the middle east and uniting them under one rule. The Islamic relation had more followers than Christendom. At the begging of the 11th century, crusaders began military expedition in a plan to expel Muslims. At this period, waves of religious enthusiasm emerged among people. Most people g exposed to Islamic literature, science, and technology, which later would have an impact on Britain’s intellectual life.
Architecture and Art
The medieval period was recognized in the interest of building and other ecclesiastical structures built at this time. The cathedrals were some of the most significant buildings in medieval Europe. The art and designs were solid and substantial. New architectural designs embraced in 12oo, where Gothic structures embraced. Other forms of art tools were recognized.
The Plague (Black Death)
They were known as the mysterious disease that occurred between the period of 13d7 and 1350. Related articles to this disease illustrate that almost 30 percent of the European continent wiped out. The deadly illness becomes impossible to prevent its transmission from one person to another. Symptoms of black death included chills, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and pains, which later resulted in death (Gordon,2019). The plague was mysterious as victims were in a position to go to sleep excellent but dead in the morning. The wool shortage was an impact as a result of the black death as it killed even farm animals.
The social and economic
In general, in the middle period, Britain’s people were governed by feudalism. In this case, noble people and religious leaders got recognized as the poor people were for them. The serfs planted and gave out most of their farm produce to the landowners. In return, they received protection in case of enemy invasion and granted free will to live on the land (Smith & Leyser,2016. The feudal life later began to change as new agricultural systems evolved; thereby, farming was more efficient and productive—an impact on Britain’s population as it increased and improved food supply. The commercial economy also developed, and imported products traded.
Each period at this time had a significant impact on the European continent and significant effects on Britain’s society. The period c.500-800 referred to as early medieval art; it based on the decline of the western roman and the beginning of the middle age. The period c.780-900 covered as Carolingian art, based under Charlemagne, which illuminated Gospel manuscripts, religious painting, and church architecture. The period c.900-1000 referred to as the Ottonian art, and this was an art based on the discovery of artistic, stylish design in pre-Romanesque German. c.1000-1200, Referred to as Romanesque art, was based on the combination of different artworks featuring Byzantines, Roman, and other traditional architecture. This art mostly characterized by vigorous style about both painting and sculpture. The period c.1200-1400 referred to as the Gothic art.it, is seen as the art that licked the middle age and renaissance era. The most building built in this art design remains stable.
Some of the significant impacts rooted in the middle age are the geographical boundaries of the European countries that got established at this period. This period is also recognized as it heralded the systematic formation and rise of educational institutions like universities (Smith,2016). The rule of law established between this period and the birth of the tourism industry. Arts and architecture, as well as scholarly articles about medieval literature like divine comedy and Canterbury Tales, are widely spread, read, and studied. In this middle age or medieval period, different timeframes or smaller periods got recognized due to their significant impact in the art industry.
Conclusively, significant changes trended in the middle age period, which led to a rebirth of a new era. The middle Age period had a considerable impact on Britain as different changes occurred, including religion, architectural design and arts, and other evidential changes. The Renaissance era regarded as a time of significant economic transformation and intellectual mind as its roots based on the changes that took place during the Middle Age period.
References
Bowman, F. L. (2019). Britain in the Middle Ages: A History for Beginners. Good Press.
Gordon, S. (2019). Supernatural Encounters: Demons and the Restless Dead in Medieval England, c. 1050–1450. Routledge.
Smith, L. M. (2016). The Making of Britain: The Middle Ages. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Smith, L., & Leyser, C. (Eds.). (2016). Motherhood, religion, and society in medieval Europe, 400-1400: essays presented to Henrietta Leyser. Routledge.