SH+2015-16+P6+High+Middle+Ages

=__**Aim- All**__= // Historical piece of text from Unicorn Psalter circa 1200, from France. //

The purpose of the High Middle Ages was to introduce new concepts in religion and literature. Professor Michael C. Hickey from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, explains, “Some popular poetry of the High Middle Ages directly parodied the Church and its teachings. So did many of the popular ‘fables’ of the period, which were written largely for a popular audience. The poetry favored among the educated elites seldom parodied the Church, but still had ‘secular’ in its subjects” (Hickey 1). The new forms of literature were popular with churches and the poems were involved in teaching religion. The new concepts inspired many people to learn more about religion, which inspired even more people to write about religious teachings. While writing more about religious teachings, the ideals and writing style of romance have also taken off, involving more and more individuals in different texts other than religious writings or Church preachings, texts created for enjoyment in more amounts.

Hickey, Michael C. "Religious and Intellectual Life in the High Middle Ages." //Michael C. Hickey Home Page//. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.
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=__**Audience- Zoey** **Zhao**__= // The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris built from 1163 to the early 1300s. //

The importance of religion in the High Middle Ages, or from 1001 to 1300 AD, increased as the population of Europe increased. The team from Annenberg Learner write, “As the population of Europe expanded in the twelfth century, the churches that had been built in the Roman style with round-arched roofs became too small” (Annenberg Learner 1). In the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, the population of Europe was rapidly increasing. This rapid increase will not show up again in the history of Europe until the 19th century, or the Victorian Era. Because of this accelerating population, religion became a prominent feature in the High Middle Ages. All the way from 1001 to 1300 AD, the Catholic Church was the only church in Europe. Many people born and raised in Europe have been brought up with Christianity being the dominant form of religion. This unanimous agreement of Christianity being the uniform religion of the time period led to the spread of Christianity as the population increased in which a wedded couple’s children may be brought up Christian because they are Christian themselves. As the influx in population increased due to childbirth, the popularity of Christianity, or religion in general, increased as well. With this increase in religious activity, many more churches had to be built all across Europe to satisfy the popularity in religion, thus spreading religion even more in Europe.

"The Middle Ages: Religion." //Annenberg Learner//. Annenberg Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.
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=__**Historical- Elizabeth Ellis**__= // Nobles in 1350 playing chess from an illuminated manuscript from Jacques de Longuyon’s Vows of the Peacock. //

In the High Middle Ages, the population of Italy and Europe soared, with the influences of the Church and schooling becoming the top priority for the citizens; however, the Church especially began to become more corrupt and the ideals of the country, began to become almost lost in translation. During this time, Dante Alighieri created the masterpiece of The Divine Comedy, La Divina Commedia, which had an enormous impact on the people of the High Middle Ages because it, “ truly broke the rules of tradition, in a literal, political and philosophical sense, evolving the common themes of [|__medieval poetry__] . Not only that, he changed the way people viewed [|__Italy__]  through his words, confronting the political concerns of his time and issues on morality within Florence and predominantly [|__Rome__] ” (uqWard 1). As this was written after Dante was exiled from Florence, the audience can see where Dante is naming the antagonist as “Pope Boniface VIII” (uqWard 1) and see all the intentional aspects that Dante put into his epic, such as the title, “Divina Commedia speaks of sarcasm and bitterness; a gibe towards those who exiled him;” (uqWard 1) and the “despair over his religious doubt” (Hickey 1) that he later has to face, in order to move on into Paradise. Due to the poem’s weird and unorthodox ways of viewing politics, religion, and the world, this poem made individuals stop and think, “Is this really what is happening?” “Has society really fallen so far?”. Thinking about what individuals in society are used to and what is accepted and what is not, censorship of the written word is extremely common, but with this poem, it was not as censored, but was instead widespread and allowed the people to regain their faith in their religion and their government, just as people still do today. By reading this poem and analyzing the depths of it, people today use it to recover their beliefs in society, the world, and all their personal aspects in life.

Hickey, Michael C. "Religious and Intellectual Life in the High Middle Ages." //Michael C. Hickey Home Page//. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.
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UqWard. "Dante Alighieri's La Commedia." //Wikispaces//. Wikispaces, n.d. Web. 25 Aug. 2015. = = =__**Cultural- Rebecca Frostrom**__= //A mural in the High Middle Ages. A cathedral from the High Middle Ages that is still used today.//

The High Middle Ages inspired many people religiously and creatively to write or paint about the what the people were taught and how beliefs can change. Professor Michael C. Hickey from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania explains, “The greatest literary work of the High Middle Ages--Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy --combined fascination with romantic love with deep religious sentiments” (Hickey 1). Dante’s Inferno is still read in modern society. His book takes readers on a journey on religious beliefs. He has doubts about his religion, which was a huge idea that was taught in the High Middle Ages. Religion was really taught through fear and punishment, hence introducing the Seven Deadly Sins in the 14th century, which is still a common theme today. Without the religious ideas that were taught, there probably wouldn’t be a book on Dante’s Inferno. The High Middle Ages also introduced cathedrals, which some are still in use today and inspire architects with their design. Murals were also introduced in this era, which is an art style still used today.

Hickey, Michael C. "Religious and Intellectual Life in the High Middle Ages." //Michael C. Hickey Home Page//. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2015.
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