P3+High+Middle+Ages


 * Aim - Jack Gillete**

To understand the "aim" of the High Middle Ages, one must first know why it is called that. Obviously; the High Middle Ages were a part of the middle ages. More specifically, the beginning of it (1000-1300 A.D). The High Middle Ages "pioneered" most of what the Middle Ages were about, Catholicism, plague, and a rapidly growing population. At the time, the Pope was one of the most powerful people in Europe, with most of its inhabitants being Catholic; he held great authority. Specifically, Pope Gregory VII, quoted from the Catholic Encyclopedia as, "one of the most remarkable men of all times" (Oestereich 1). Pope Gregory was in power for a decent period of the HIgh Middle Ages, he truly helped shape the ways of Middle Age Europe for many years to come. Needless to say, "the church" was the universal institution of the HIgh Middle Ages and into the rest of the time period. In fact, the largest thing to take away from the HIgh Middle Ages was the sculpting of the Catholic church as it stepped into becoming the most powerful force of the Middle Ages. With the Crusades recently over, and Medieval philosophies fading; the Catholic church was a light at the end of the tunnel for Europe as it stepped into the Middle Ages. In reference to //Inferno// and more specifically Dante, the High Middle Ages was the period of time Dante lived and died in (1265-1321). His "motive" throughout //Inferno// is rather reflective of the time and full of Catholic reference "I am made by God, thanks be to Him, such that your misery toucheth me not, nor doth the flame of this burning assail me" (Dante). A very predominate mind-set at the time.

Oestereich, Thomas. "Pope St. Gregory VII." __The Catholic Encyclopedia.__ Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 31 Aug. 2012.

Alighieri, Dante. //Inferno, n.p n.d. Web.//

Historical – Nic Popp



The High Middle Ages were a period in time from about the 11th century to the 13th century. The church became a unifying and universal institution. “Strong popes, notably Gregory VII, worked for a reinvigorated Europe guided by a centralized church, a goal virtually realized under Innocent III.”(High Middle Ages). The first crusade had began on 1099. This period in time is when the church grew more power and started to take control. Between 1311 and 1315 the great famine struck, which caused great suffering. On 1337 the hundred years war began were France and England fight for dominance of Western Europe. The Black Death hit for the first time in 1347. “ The Black Death ravages Europe for the first of many times. An estimated 20% - 40% of the population is thought to have perished within the first year” (Middle ages timeline). In 1382 John Wycliffe translated the bible into English. The High Middle Ages ends, with the end of Wars of the Roses in 1485. Many things happened in the High Middle Ages that were helpful to the world and others had a negative impact on the world.

"The High Middle Ages." //Infoplease//. Infoplease, 2005. Web. 31 Aug. 2012. "Middle Ages Timeline." //Middle Ages Timeline//. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Sept. 2012.

Audience- Grant Williams



The audience of the High Middle Ages has proven itself to be very different than the audience of today. In the High Middle Ages, a king ruled the people on his land, and would give people called vassals land to protect his own land. The king had an army of people known as knights, which dressed in metal armor and often wore a cross on their chests. Knights would use metal shields and swords as tools of combat while on their horsebacks and fighting against enemy kingdoms. Many people of the High Middle Ages include Serfs, Servants, and merchants and many religious citizens such as Bishops, Priests, Monks, Nuns, Frairs, and the all-famous Pope. “Monks and nuns were men and women who gave up their possessions and left ordinary life to live in monasteries and convents. They lived very simply, could not marry and devoted themselves to prayer, study, and helping the poor. They also served as doctors." (The Middle Ages 1). Many people were extremely religious in the Middle Ages, and showed so with strict lifestyles and actions. Although many people of the High Middle Ages were religious workers, the majority of citizens were merchants and traveling salesmen, because at the time, selling was the most rewarding way of making money, other than being royalty. Entertainment in the High Middle Ages was also very limited, though the citizens of larger areas would participate in a game called “Wheel of Fortune.” There were also many famous people of the High Middle Ages that are still talked about and knownof today. These people include King Arthur, Dante Alighieri, Henry the fifth, and even Marco Polo. The audience of the High Middle Ages was a very famous and historically important time in the history of the world.

Works cited- The Middle Ages. The Middle Ages.net. WideOpenDoors.net, 2011. 8/31/12. Famous Medieval People. The Middle Ages.net. WideOpenDoors.net, 2011. 8/31/12.



Term: Cultural Alyssa Henson The High Middle Ages was a time period during the medieval era (1000-1300 A.D.). During those times, the cultural aspects are far more different than modern day. To many, it appears as the time of knights in shining armor, rescuing princesses. The culture was made up of kings, lords and peasants. The way of the people was very traditional and involved with one another. “Social activities were important, and every citizen in a medieval town would be expected to attend. Fairs with troubadours and acrobats performing in the streets…merchants selling goods in the town square…games of chance held at the local tavern…tournaments featuring knights from near and abroad…these were just some of the ways medieval peasants spent their leisure time. Medieval weddings were cause for the entire town to celebrate”(medieval-life). Even through there was numerous times to be celebrating, work was always put first. The lower society was peasants who worked the fields to grow enough crops to survive. Life in the villages was far from glamorous. They consisted of houses, barn sheds, and animal pens which were surrounded by fields. A huge factor in daily life was the religion of the land, which was mainly the Catholic religion. “ The lives of the Medieval people of the Middle Ages was dominated by the church. From birth to death, whether you were a peasant, a serf, a noble a lord or a King - life was dominated by the church”(middle-ages). Back in the High Middle Ages, the culture was what the time period was known for. Works Cited http://www.medieval-life.net/life_main.htm http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-religion.htm