Great Gothic Cathedrals Section Written By: Crew Member Malia S.
The Great Gothic Cathedrals
Perfectly sculpted and smooth arches tower above. Stain glass windows stare down from superior heights, their magnificent colors striking all onlookers instantly. Ceilings that rise above stun people; their eyes are immediately beckoned in. The depth of the interior is one of the safest, most secure places for a being to set foot in. The great gothic cathedrals, they were, standing tall and proud in Medieval times. But where did it all start? How did these craftsmen sculpt these magnificent pieces of art from the ground up? And most of all, how did they become such beautiful buildings that truly transcend the stereotype of Middle Ages?
Though the gothic cathedrals' steep, high reaching towers serve as a beautiful esthetic, there is an even more important reason why they were extended so high into the sky...to reach heaven. Builders so skillfully crafted these towers to make the people feel closer to God. When looking around a gothic cathedral, symbols of all kind can be seen. Believe it or not, that is how the creations of the cathedrals ultimately started: simply symbols for greater ideas. One important symbol in the cathedrals was a stone labyrinth on the floor; representing the maze of life.
Other Beautiful Features of the Cathedrals:
-pointed arches
-flying buttresses
-ribbed vaults
The sculptures on the gothic cathedrals were also quite beautifully and skillfully designed.
The fact that sculptors had the ability to build such beautiful and, in a way, magical buildings that represented their utter faith shows that the Dark Ages did, indeed, have progression, intelligent minds, and artists who showed true passion for creating their own spots of heaven on earth.
Other Beautiful Features of the Cathedrals:
-pointed arches
-flying buttresses
-ribbed vaults
The sculptures on the gothic cathedrals were also quite beautifully and skillfully designed.
The fact that sculptors had the ability to build such beautiful and, in a way, magical buildings that represented their utter faith shows that the Dark Ages did, indeed, have progression, intelligent minds, and artists who showed true passion for creating their own spots of heaven on earth.
Monasteries, Universities and Learning Section Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.
Monasteries, Universities and Learning
Throughout the darkness, something poked up through the ash and rubble of a fallen kingdom. Unprovoked, this need rose and rose until it had captured all alive. What the tendrils of light made the people realize was that they needed a purpose. The people needed a purpose to live for. Some found their way into kingdoms, town life or simply on the road not knowing where they were going to go next. For some, this was enough to fulfill their goals in life. However, other needed more. These ‘others’ that threw away the average life in the medieval ages turned not towards poverty, struggle or confusion. They turned toward knowledge. When questions that didn’t have answers persisted and held steadfast in the minds of the curious, the people knew something had to be done. Schools weren’t enough, places had to be built so that the curious people could go and learn for the sake of progression.
In the monasteries the ideas of learning and being as close to God as possible was strongly advocated. It was a place of not struggle or poverty, but a place of simplicity. Monks (those who lived in the monasteries) made their own clothes, grew their own food and lived for God, hardly owning any physical possessions. Monks were happy to teach weary travellers about Christianity and about other wise things such as how to read and write. As the idea of the monastery caught on, they spread throughout the world so that almost all of medieval Europe was bathed in the light of knowledge. Europe became a place of learning and ingenuity, but the monasteries were so secluded and lonely. How many people truly felt happy living as a monk and abandoning all of the outside world for God and knowledge? Some did not want this commitment so they turned towards another growing idea: universities.
In the monasteries the ideas of learning and being as close to God as possible was strongly advocated. It was a place of not struggle or poverty, but a place of simplicity. Monks (those who lived in the monasteries) made their own clothes, grew their own food and lived for God, hardly owning any physical possessions. Monks were happy to teach weary travellers about Christianity and about other wise things such as how to read and write. As the idea of the monastery caught on, they spread throughout the world so that almost all of medieval Europe was bathed in the light of knowledge. Europe became a place of learning and ingenuity, but the monasteries were so secluded and lonely. How many people truly felt happy living as a monk and abandoning all of the outside world for God and knowledge? Some did not want this commitment so they turned towards another growing idea: universities.
Ironically, even though universities were a place not entirely held together by religion, the first universities were formed by the church. Even though originally universities were just for teaching religion, it evolved into something more. In medieval times some courses included religion, astronomy, medicine and law. It was a place where you could choose what you wanted to learn. For some this was a revolutionary step in expanding the mind and truly figuring out the big questions in life. Who are we? Why are we here? Now, for the first time, people were actually getting closer to the answers. Questions like these were answered, and the Europeans became more than just people, they became aware of their purpose. Making themselves better, more efficient and greater for a more meaningful future.
Achievements of the Islamic Empire section Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.
Achievements of the Islamic Empire in Medieval Times
As Islam grew and grew, countless inventions and achievements came to light. The Muslims, in this chaotic and new world, reached out to be noticed. Scholars and professors and many others came together to create and expand their empire and their minds. How could they have come up with the genius ideas that we still use to this day? And did they even apply to those who lived in the Dark Ages?
One of the growing interests in the Middle Ages was astronomy. People began to crane their necks upward to gaze endlessly at the pinpoints of light that made them wonder. The Muslims took this awe-struck wonderment a bit further and began to build observatories. As the Muslims saw it, watching the movement of the celestial bodies were helping them understand clockwork and time, but they were really taking a vital step toward discovery that would captivate countless others for centuries to come.
One of the growing interests in the Middle Ages was astronomy. People began to crane their necks upward to gaze endlessly at the pinpoints of light that made them wonder. The Muslims took this awe-struck wonderment a bit further and began to build observatories. As the Muslims saw it, watching the movement of the celestial bodies were helping them understand clockwork and time, but they were really taking a vital step toward discovery that would captivate countless others for centuries to come.
Although the studies in astronomy were bold and life-changing, the Muslims progressed the most in medicine. Just as they built an observatory for astronomy, they opened a school so that people could go and learn. As more and more people studied medicine, diseases and cures became more and more documented. Soon doctors were able to concoct cures much easier and faster with the books at hand. Speedy recoveries were more common, and instead of getting lower, the world found the population to be steadily rising. People had longer lifespans, and Europe became a happier place because of it. All of these achievements and more are all thanks to the empire that brought light, ingenuity and discovery to the world.
China's Second Golden Age Section Written By: Crew Member Malia S.
China's Second Golden Age
Though many of the Middle Ages events and occurrences happened in Europe, many important advancements spread even beyond Europe in this time...particularly in China. In the late middle ages, China fell upon their golden age, primarily because the Song dynasty was ruling. The amazing advancements and progressions made in this time in China have even carried into modern times, and reveal a small wave of striking intelligence in the so-called "Dark" Ages.
The "Golden Age" in China was not known as "Golden" because of literal gold or riches. Instead, it refers to all of the sparkling achievements and inventions that happened one after another during the Song rule; it is a metaphor for the rush of golden ideas...
Agriculture- Though the Chinese had always centered their focus on agriculture, the time of the Song dynasty certainly bumped it up many notches. Even a whole new irrigation tool was invented: the dragon backbone pump, which enabled merely one farmer to scoop up water and simply dump it into the canal of their choice! Work on the fields also became more efficient, due to crops that could ripen very quickly.
Paper Money- It is crazy to think that something we have become so accustom to today was a new, budding idea back in medieval times! The song created paper money to have a more organized, easy system for their wealth.
Compass- The compass was an utterly brilliant invention...Not long after the invention, it became extremely useful to explorers all over in search of a way to navigate their surroundings.
Gunpowder- Believe it or not, gunpowder was not originally used as a weapon for the Chinese, but only for signals and fireworks.
To sum it all up, the Chinese reached lengths in the middle ages that many believed were unreachable.
Castle Construction Section Written By: Crew Member Cassie M.
Castle Construction
The Medieval Castle was an ingenious structure, though the process of building one spanned for a number of years. These buildings protected the townspeople from attackers, and housed the region’s monarch. Some castles were fancy and sophisticated, while some were nothing out of the ordinary-only the necessary materials and comfort were used, that were needed for the populus to survive. The resources for the actual building were all natural; stones near the worksite, wood from surrounding trees, and clay for support. It was not an easy system for building, especially when it came to the rock bricks. Stonemasons chiseled chunks of stone into evenly shaped blocks, which were then lifted onto the site of the castle construction by a man-powered crane. These cranes may not seem very high tech to us, but the medieval builders were very thankful for this invention. A man would get into a big wheel, (similar to our modern day hamster wheel), and run inside of it. The wheel spun, and a pulley system lifted whatever building matter that was attached to the hook on the front of the crane. This is a picture of one:
The actual defensive aspects of the medieval castle were towers, (also known as keeps), thick outer walls called curtain walls, and booby-trapped rooms with murder holes in the ceiling. The castles keeps were mostly around 10 meters in diameter, made of thick stone blocks. They were used as a lookout post, and a nice place for an archer to wait for an attacker. The curtain walls were extremely thick walls that surrounded the castle, and the village under the monarch’s rule. The wall would be split at one point, where a drawbridge covering a moat would be replaced. Not all castles had a moat though, just a large, secure door. The general and the soldiers had plans for when their enemies attacked. If the marauders made it through the door, the army would be lead into a trap-an actual trap room. This is where the murder holes would take place. Townspeople and soldiers would pour hot, burning tar and other treacherous materials onto the prisoners through the openings in the ceiling. The prisoners would be tortured, and pursued until they surrendered or died. Greek fire, which was a scalding, flaming oil, was also used frequently to stop invaders from overtaking the host castle and people.
Another advancement in castle defense were the gatehouses and portcullises. These gatehouses stood a few stories high, and contained living quarters for the guards. Portcullises were large, thick doors made of wood and framed with iron. Unless unlocked or unarmed, these legit barricades were near impossible to get through.
Another advancement in castle defense were the gatehouses and portcullises. These gatehouses stood a few stories high, and contained living quarters for the guards. Portcullises were large, thick doors made of wood and framed with iron. Unless unlocked or unarmed, these legit barricades were near impossible to get through.
All of these things truly made up the side of brilliance, progression, and beauty in the middle ages.
Resources for this page:
Gregory, Grace. Gothic Cathedrals. 4-20-13. <http://fourriverscharter.org/projects/Inventions/pages/europe_gothiccathedrals.htm>
Gregory, Grace. Gothic Cathedrals. 4-20-13. <http://fourriverscharter.org/projects/Inventions/pages/europe_gothiccathedrals.htm>
- Freudenrich, Craig. How Stuff Works. 4/16/13 http://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/castle5.htm
- Will. “All Things Medieval.” 4/16/13 http://medievalcastles.stormthecastle.com/essays/all-about-castle-walls.htm
- “Castles by David Macaulay”, My History ISN, page 67
- Medieval-castles.net. 4/16/13 http://www.medieval-castles.net/castle_defenses/architecture.htm