Culture in the High Middle Ages

1. Culture in the High Middle Ages World History I

2. The Rise of Education • Universities developed in Europe in the Middle Ages. • Attended only by men. • Students studied a liberal arts curriculum. • Grammar, logic, math, music, astronomy • After completing the liberal arts curriculum, students could study medicine, law, or theology. • Theology is the study of religion and God. • Students who complete these programs and pass their exams were granted a doctor’s degree.

5. Scholasticism • The study of theology was strongly influenced by scholasticism, which combined faith and reason. • It harmonized Christian beliefs with the works of Greek philosophers. • Works of philosophers, such as Aristotle, upset many Christians because his beliefs contradicted those of the church. • Saint Thomas Aquinas made the most famous attempt at reconciling Aristotle with Christian beliefs. • In Summa Theologica, Aquinas used logical methods of questioning in an attempt to answer theological questions.

6. Vernacular Language • Latin was the language of medieval Europe. • By the 12th century, more literature was being written in vernacular, the language of everyday speech in a particular region. • The desire for new entertainment led to a growth in vernacular languages. • More people spoke vernacular languages. • Examples: Spanish, French, English, and German

7. Architecture • Architecture changed during the middle ages. • The Romanesque style of architecture was being replaced in many areas by Gothic architecture. • Stained Glass windows are one famous example of Gothic architecture.

9. Romanesque Architecture Gothic Architecture