Technology In The Medieval Period

1810 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The medieval period 1100-1500

A set point in the historical timeline stands as the medieval period. The medieval period in history was the era in European history from around the 5th to the 15th century, coming after the fall of the Roman Empire and preceding the start of the early modern era. The medieval era was characterized by immense religious influence, new government systems, and a social class gap. New technology, as well as newfound knowledge, led to the end of the medieval period to start the modern era. The biggest characteristic of a medieval society is the large role religion played. Throughout the course of medieval times religion has guided society in every aspect of life, “Christianity has fundamentally influenced every aspect of Western civilization, …show more content…

The wars and plagues happening across Europe paved the way for an increase in advanced technology, which assisted society’s progression and move on from medieval times. The Hundred Years War brought modern warfare that had a lasting impact on society and altered the way war was fought. It moved in the direction of being less barbaric and more strategic, “…fought back with some very simple and inexpensive yet highly effective new weapons: the longbow, the crossbow, and the stockade”(527). There were also advances in ships in order for them to be increasingly sustainable, “… began to develop a new type of vessel properly designed to operate in rough, open water: the caravel” (575). The last bit of modern technology that accompanied the transition from the medieval era to the modern era was a new way to navigate through the newly made magnetic compass. Along with the compass came a new set of manners for being out on the sea, “ A maritime code know as the Consulate of the Sea, which originated in the Catalan regions of the Crown of Aragon in the fourteenth century, won acceptance by a majority of sea-goers as a normative code for maritime conduct…” (576). The rise of new technology at the end of the medieval era wasn’t the biggest reason for the downfall of the middle ages being that it only contributed to a newly structured society. This would have an impact on the feudal system now that it would contribute to the creation of a middle class and cause societal roles less defined. The decline of the feudal system was caused by the Hundred Years War in conjunction with the earlier Crusades and as a result, these advances had no need for feudal ways anymore. Feudal soldiers were not needed anymore due to the new weaponry and specified explorers would be eliminated for the reason that more lay-people could assist with navigation due to the simplicity of the

Show More
Related

  • The World Lit Only by Fire, by William Manchester

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    To solidify his thesis, the author explains how life was like during these times, how major events developed and how important roles took their place in history during the medieval age.

    Read More

  • Technological Advancements In The Medieval West

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Medieval West was an era of country folk and rural communities. During this era, agriculture was a means of survival and people lived in rural communities known as villages (Duby 167). In his article, Rural Economy and Country Folk in the Medieval West, Georges Duby recounts the daily lives of those who lived in the Medieval West during this time period. Those who lived in this time did not live an easy life. There existed many struggles within the communities. Many complications arose that were not present in say, the Roman Empire. According to Paul Veyne’s, Pleasures and Excesses in the Roman Empire, the Medieval West palled in comparison. In my own humble opinion, I would choose to live in Veyne’s description of the Roman empire as opposed

    Read More

  • The Extreme Change in Western Europe From 1450 and 1750

    929 Words  | 2 Pages

    Politically, in the 1400's parts of Europe had a feudalistic government and feudal monarchies but over time Europe adapted to absolute monarchies, parliamentary monarchies, and nation-states. Economically, with feudalism declining, capitalism and mercantilism grew with the commercial revolution. In the arts, there was a change from the mostly religious art of the middle Ages to the Renaissance focus on realism, and humanistic ideas during the enlightenment revolution, also new scientific ideas during the scientific revolution. Politically, in the 1400's parts of Europe had a feudalistic government and some, feudal monarchies but over time Europe adapted to absolute monarchies, parliamentary monarchies, and nation-states. The dominant social system in Medieval Europe was feudalism, in which the nobility held land in exchange for military service, and vassals were tenants of the nobles, while the peasants were to live on their lord's land and give him labor, and a share of the produce, in exchange for military protection.

    Read More

  • Gothic Awakening In The Middle Ages

    543 Words  | 2 Pages

    The European middle ages lasted from the 5th century to the 15th century, which started the fall of the Western Roman Empire and moved to the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period were the divisions to the early, high, and late middle ages. The gothic awakening was in England during the 1750s, caused by the medieval forms. Medieval Europe was awakening from a feudal war and ignorance. The new way of learning was spread in the western society. In the gothic awakening age, towns and kingdoms flourished and built churches across Europe.

    Read More

  • Kelly DeVries and Douglas Smiths’ Second Edition Text, Medieval Military Technology.

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kelly DeVries and Robert Douglas Smith. Medieval Military Technology, Second Edition. Toronto. University of Toronto Press Incorporated, 2012. XVIII + 356 pp. Illustrations, bibliographical references, Index. ISBN 978-1-4426-0497-1.

    Read More

  • The Life Of Blessed Beatrice Of Nazareth

    906 Words  | 2 Pages

    Religion was very influential for Knights in the Middle Ages. It was a source for hope, strength and survival and affected the way in which the Knights lived their lives.

    Read More

  • 1500 To 1815: The Most Important Development In Europe

    1103 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the period 1500 to 1815 studied in class there were numerous developments in Europe. In many ways it was a fast growing period. There were numerous reforms that affected the educational, political, and economical system of countries. Furthermore, scientific developments have also occurred which lead to advances in exploration and military. I believe that the most important development was the printing press, which connected Europe, so that ideas can be communicated. Furthermore, the “Age of Exploration,” was a significant development that leads to an increased knowledge of the seas, which eventually helped the welfare of coastal countries. Another development that was important was the scientific revolution, more specifically how their

    Read More

  • Feudal System Dbq

    436 Words  | 1 Pages

    In summary, Europe developed and changed throughout the Middle ages. It advanced in the categories of social, economic, and political status. Socially, feudalism organized the society with ranks of social class from serfs to the kings. Economically, money and trade provided money. The Church, feudal society, and manners were a major part of the Middle

    Read More

  • Medieval Europe

    754 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Medieval Times for Europe, from the 400 AD till 1400 AD, are often labeled as “The Dark Ages”. This time period has begun after a turning point known as Fall of Rome. It caused Rome to divide into two well-known civilizations: Medieval Europe, Islam, and The Byzantine Empire. Also, Medieval Europe led to a well known utopian period of “rebirth” identified as the Renaissance. The time period between 400 CE and 1400 CE wasn’t a “Dark Age” for Europe because of progress in academic success, blossom in architecture, and religious unity along with government. It wasn’t a cultural decay or decline because of the legendary time period it led to.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Medieval Era

    1155 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Medieval Era involved a lot of religion, violence, and health problems. Religion was a big

    Read More

  • Progress During Medieval Times

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, with the various events that occurred during the Middle Ages, they all show that they developed social, economic and political changes throughout Europe. Although it may have taken a series of fortunate and unfortunate events, the change brought the flourishing age of Renaissance. From the night in shiny armor, comes the flowering of literature, science, art, religion, politics, and most importantly, knowledge by learning.

    Read More

  • Innovation During the Middle Ages

    2062 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Middle Ages, contrary to its name, was a dynamic period of innovations. Throughout this period, visual arts were employed to communicate important messages to the public as well as private wealthy patrons. A variety of mediums were used to disseminate ideas. Though, the sense of decorum shifted, the purpose of these moralizing images of religious figures remained the same. Art was, as it still is an extremely useful and powerful tool for both religious and political advancements. The two pieces to be considered in this paper were created using scenes from the life of Christ. Themes from the old and new testaments were frequently used in art of the Middle Ages to convey important messages to a largely illiterate populous, display the wealth of few individuals, and create feelings of patriotism and support for the Monarch by relating them to divinity. Both pieces are from different mediums and likely different forms of patronage. To be analyzed in this paper is an illuminated manuscript page (fig 1) and an ivory diptych (fig 2). There are several similarities, as well as differences throughout the works. I will describe each piece then continue to compare and contrast them, this will work to facilitate a greater understanding of the Middle Ages through works of art.

    Read More

  • Differences Between Medieval Theatre And Medieval Ans Renaissance

    1548 Words  | 4 Pages

    The medieval period references to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century A.D. to the beginning of the Renaissance in approximately the 15th century A.D. During this time period the Church ruled the people, there were only the rich versus the poor, and the every day life of common folk was consumed with the thought

    Read More

  • The Renaissance And The Renaissance

    703 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Renaissance, was an amazing cultural movement and the break from the Middle Ages affected every aspect of life. It is often known as the first transition from medieval to modern. The Middle Ages was a time where the church ruled the daily lives of people, and where land was of utmost importance. While events such as plagues and invasion triggered the shift from Middle Ages to Renaissance, the fundamental differences in philosophy such as humanism, secularism, and classicism defined the era, brought back from the Greeks and Romans. Many important aspects of society were thus largely influenced and changed with the new time period.

    Read More

  • The Anglo-Norman, Medieval, And The Renaissance Period

    1466 Words  | 3 Pages

    Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the year 476, England proceeded to go through a series of 4 historical periods. Known as the Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Norman, Medieval, and the Renaissance periods, they are long spans of time that are clearly divided by major historical events. The Anglo-Saxon period begins with the fall of the Roman Empire. England is then invaded by people from the northern region of Europe. The Anglo-Norman period begins with the French invasion of England, which lasts until the Hundred Years War in about 1300. The Medieval period follows and lasts until the combination of the invention of the printing press and the onset of the Protestant Reformation. The period that follows the medieval is the Renaissance, but is also known as Early Modern.

    Read More

More about Technology In The Medieval Period

Open Document