Go With The Flo: Design History: Medieval Period

Medieval Period: Between Ancient & Modern

Overview

Timeline

The Medieval Period is the time in human history that began when the Roman Empire fell. It lasted a thousand years, from around the 5th to the 15th Century AD, until the start of the Modern or Renaissance Period. After the collapse of the Roman civilization, 3 empires inherited its legacies - the Byzantine, Islamic & Western Europe civilizations. This blog entry will only focus on the Western European history. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HIST201-1-LegacyofRomanEmpire-FINAL1.pdf

https://bilingualiesae.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mireyas-timeline.png

The Medieval Age is such a long period that it is often classified into 3 sub periods:

The Dark Ages, often referred to as the Early Middle Ages or Late Antiquity (5th-10th century)
High Middle Ages (11th - 13th century)
Late Middle Ages (14-15th century) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Middle_Ages

https://storify.com/sewonahn/middle-age

Historians often call the first period the Dark Ages because there were hardly any literary, artistic or cultural creations or advances that came from this period. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HIST201-1-LegacyofRomanEmpire-FINAL1.pdf Not much was known about this time in history because unlike the Romans who kept complete records of their civilization, there was no central government that kept a complete recording of events right after the Roman Empire fell. (http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php) In this era, the Western European civilization was the weakest among the three empires.

https://wellspentjourney.wordpress.com/2013/10/

Social & Philosophical Contexts

The Medieval Age is largely defined by wars, battles, bloodsheds and lots of violent fightings. Internal conflicts as well as threats from invaders were a major theme in this era. The Holy Wars or religious wars between the Islamic Empire and Christianity (called The Crusades) also happened in this age.. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HIST201-1-LegacyofRomanEmpire-FINAL1.pdf

2700 Muslims executed by Richard the Lionhearted at Acre (3rd Crusade 1189-93)

This was also the time when feudalism began to take hold. Feudalism is a social and political system where kings ruled over the lords and the lords ruled over the knights and vassals and in turn, these knights & vassals ruled over the peasants and serfs. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HIST201-1-LegacyofRomanEmpire-FINAL1.pdf

http://imgarcade.com/1/feudalism-in-the-middle-ages-pyramid/

From feudalism, manorialism naturally came into existence. Manorialism is the economic system where the nobles give a piece of land known as fief to the knights and vassals in exchange for their loyalty and military service whenever it was needed. The fief includes the manor or estates and villages where peasants and serfs lived and worked in the land in exchange for protection from invaders. http://gibsonworldhistory.weebly.com/lesson-2-feudalism-and-manorialism.htm

The High Middle Ages saw the birth of a new socio-economic class. This was brought about by a booming economy. They were the merchants and skilled artisans who rose from the ranks of peasants. They occupied the position below the knights and vassals and above the peasants and serfs.

The Late Middle Ages was a period of crisis, tragedies and chaos due mainly to the Black Death. 30-50 % of Western Europe's population were wiped out by by a disease known as Bubonic Plague in a matter of 2 to 3 years. Food shortages and famine were widespread due to a failing economy. This led to inflation and subsequently, uprisings from the peasants. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HIST201-1-LegacyofRomanEmpire-FINAL1.pdf

http://www.seantwiddy.com/?attachment_id=370

It was also during the Medieval Times when the different kings tried to gain power, control and dominance over other empires which led to massive wars. This culture of war in turn, led to the building of fortresses and castles to defend their empires from attacks from enemies and invaders. http://www.historyforkids.net/early-middle-ages.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2345008/Photos-Some-worlds-beautiful-locations-civilisation-abandoned.html

Aesthetics

Castles: The Symbol of the Medieval Times

Today when people talk about the Medieval Period, one immediately conjures up images of castles and knights in shining armour. It is after all, the era's most tangible legacy to the world and the most distinctive mark of the Medieval Age.

http://www.birthdaydirect.com/medieval-knight-party-square-beverage-napkins-16-p-18662.html

Castles were usually built on the highest point of the land so normally it would be on the top of a hill. This is so that the knights can see their enemies from afar. From this high vantage point, they can easily shoot arrows at invaders. Some castles are surrounded by a moat which is a deep ditch dug around a castle and filled with water. A drawbridge that can be raised up and down as needed was one of its first line of defense. http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/castles.html

Some Famous Medieval Castles

Blarney Stone Castle in Ireland

Kiss the stone and you will never be at a loss for words ever again!

Fortress of the Knights (Krak des Chevaliers) in Syria. It was built in the 10th Century and was one of the most important medieval military castle. It played a big part in the First Crusade. A century later it became a hospital. http://medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com/mysterious-medieval-castle-identified.htm

Windsor Castle was first built during the 11th Century in England. It was first built in timber and mud, then later on fortified with stone. It is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. It is now used as the official summer residence of the Queen and is a famous tourist spot.http://www.londonpass.com/london-attractions/windsor-castle.html

Evolution of Medieval Castle Architectural Style

The Medieval architectural style went through many changes as building, knowledge and living standards improved through the centuries.

1) Romanesque/Norman

A) Timber Motte and Bailey Castle

B) Stone Motte and Bailey castles
(replaced the timber structures because of its susceptibility to fire)

C) Square Castle Keep/Tower

D) Round Castle Keep

E) Shell Castle Keep (Replaced the wooden palisade)

2) Edwardian Medieval Architecture ( Concentric Castle) Feature: Double Wall for Defense (High Inner & Low Outer Wall); Alternate positioning of tower

3) Medieval Gothic Castles (3 Phases)

A) Early English Gothic

http://medievalcastles424.weebly.com/architecture.html

B) Decorated Gothic

http://medievalcastles424.weebly.com/architecture.html

C) Perpendicular Gothic

http://medievalcastles424.weebly.com/architecture.html

What is a Battlement?

Battlement - a low wall at the top of a castle with open spaces where the knights shoot their arrows through. The open space is called crenel. The merlot is the walled part where they take shield.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/battlement