Medieval Europe: Feudalism, Society, and Gothic Art

Medieval Europe

T-6: The Feudal System

Set in medieval Europe and inspired by Roman and Germanic history, the feudal system was based on a mutual aid contract between a lord and a vassal. The vassal swore loyalty to his lord, who in return granted him a fief, typically land.

Medieval society was divided into three estates:

• Nobility: Responsible for warfare and defense. They lived in castles and trained as knights, adhering to a code of chivalry.
• Clergy: Dedicated to prayer and religious duties. The Church, led by the Pope, played a significant role in medieval life. The clergy was divided into secular and regular clergy (monks who lived in monasteries).
• Commons: Primarily peasants who formed the basis of the agrarian economy.

Peasants

The medieval economy was primarily agricultural, organized around the manor system. Peasants worked the land, delivering a portion of their crops and livestock to their lord and providing free labor.

Romanesque Art

Flourishing in the 11th and 12th centuries, Romanesque art coincided with the feudal era. Architecture, particularly churches and monasteries, dominated the artistic landscape. Key features included rounded arches and barrel vaults. Sculpture and painting served a didactic purpose, often depicting rigid figures in unnatural poses. Mural painting was common.

The Crusades

The Crusades were Christian expeditions against Muslims who controlled the Holy Land. Lasting from the 11th to the 13th centuries, these "holy wars" aimed to recapture Jerusalem, which was held by Christians for nearly a century. Military orders, such as the Templars and Hospitallers, were established to defend the Holy Land.

T-7: The Rise of Cities and the Bourgeoisie

Increased agricultural production led to the resurgence of urban life. Towns engaged in commerce and developed into cities. The bourgeoisie, distinct from the peasantry, engaged in trade and enjoyed greater legal freedoms. Cities became politically organized communities, obtaining privileges from monarchs.

The Medieval City Economy

Craftsmen organized into guilds, which held monopolies over their trades. Cities played a vital commercial role, with some originating from trade fairs. The revitalization of the money economy had significant social and political impacts. The first banks emerged, along with new payment methods and forms of business association.

Medieval Political Forms

Conflicts between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire weakened both. Other political entities, such as kingdoms and city-states, rose to prominence. Kings consolidated their power against the nobility with the support of the bourgeoisie. Political theory, influenced by Roman law, developed.

Parliamentary Assemblies

Assemblies or parliaments, representing the three estates (clergy, nobility, and bourgeoisie), emerged. Their functions included swearing allegiance to the king, approving taxes, supporting foreign policy, and addressing grievances.

Hard Times

The 14th and 15th centuries were marked by demographic crisis and social and political instability. Poor harvests disrupted the balance between production and resources, leading to famine. The Black Death caused a demographic catastrophe, reducing Europe's population by a third. Social unrest and conflicts, including the Hundred Years' War between France and England, ensued. The Great Western Schism, a major crisis within the Papacy, reflected changing attitudes.

Gothic Art

Gothic art reached its peak between the 13th and 15th centuries, coinciding with the growth of cities. Pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses characterized Gothic architecture. Grand cathedrals were prominent, alongside significant civil architecture. Sculpture and painting gained independence from architecture, portraying more natural poses. Panel painting became widespread. The late Middle Ages witnessed a revolution in painting that foreshadowed the Renaissance, with two major schools emerging: the Italian (led by Giotto) and the Flemish (led by the Van Eyck brothers).