Middle Ages as the Age of Faith

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Middle Ages as the Age of Faith

The Middle Ages is often referred to as the Age of Faith and it is correct to do so, as during this period religion dominated all aspects of life from architecture, literature, art and music. The dominant religion during this period was Christianity. The middle ages saw "the emergence … of Christian literary forms… a popular religious culture centred around processions, icons, and relics" (George Holmes 42).

The crusades were wars fought in the name of God or holy wars. The first of the crusades began in 1095 when Pope Urban the second received an appeal for help from Alexius the first, the Byzantine Emperor. Alexius wanted Urbans' help against the Turks, "a race alienated from God". It was seen as ones Christian duty to fight against these infidels. The church offered material advantages to those who chose to join the Crusades, to save Christian shrines and lands from Muslims. It was also preached, by renowned clergymen that men who joined would have more favour with God. St. Bernard said about the crusades "Rejoice…if you live and conquer in the Lord, but exalt and glory even more if you die and join the Lord" (H.G. Koenigsberger 187). The crusades brought many benefits; food, textiles and also the spread of Islamic science and art, which would greatly benefit Europe who, was somewhat behind.

The quest for knowledge was rejuvenated with the growth of cathedral schools. However church schools could only teach so much. Universities grew due to the formation of guilds of teachers and pupils and also because of finance from the church and the wealthy. The University of Paris was the largest of its time specialising in liberal arts. These schools sparked a return...

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Bibliography:

Work Cited

The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe, Ed. By Holmes, George.

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Koenigsberger, H.G. A History of Europe. Harlow: Logman Group, 1987.

Lamm, Robert C. The Humanities in Western Civilisation, Forth Edition.

Arizona: McGraw-Hill Companies, 1996.

Bibliography

Heer, Friedrich. The Medieval World: Europe from 1100 to 1350. New York:

Praeqer Publishers, 1962.

Holmes, George. Europe: Hierarchy and Revolt 1320-1450. Glasgow:

Fontana, 1975.

The Oxford Illustrated History of Medieval Europe, Ed. By Holmes, George.

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.

Koenigsberger, H.G. A History of Europe. Harlow: Logman Group, 1987.

Lamm, Robert C. The Humanities in Western Civilisation, Forth Edition.

Arizona: McGraw-Hill Companies, 1996.

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