Major Events During The Dark Ages:
Page Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.
Their Impact on History-
The Dark Ages. It is a time period where the world changed. The Roman Empire had just ended, and the people of medieval Europe had lost that one thing in life to live for. Where was their shining purpose in life? Where was their prize jewel to relish for the remainder of their lives? Their beloved Empire had dissolved in the blinding flash of war, misleading rulers and power-hungry emperors. After Europe had lost its light, the people were lost. So yes, the Dark Ages were dark. However, the modern people today might have misinterpreted this interesting period in our history to be darker than what they think. Poking up from the gray world came ingenuity and invention. It was something that the people didn’t expect, but they embraced it anyway. Yes, the people clung to the light of the creation of new ways. But along this path to greater times, what did it take for the peasants, serfs, nobles and even kings to realize that their old ways were giving way to something brighter? What did it take to find the path to light?
The Dark Ages. It is a time period where the world changed. The Roman Empire had just ended, and the people of medieval Europe had lost that one thing in life to live for. Where was their shining purpose in life? Where was their prize jewel to relish for the remainder of their lives? Their beloved Empire had dissolved in the blinding flash of war, misleading rulers and power-hungry emperors. After Europe had lost its light, the people were lost. So yes, the Dark Ages were dark. However, the modern people today might have misinterpreted this interesting period in our history to be darker than what they think. Poking up from the gray world came ingenuity and invention. It was something that the people didn’t expect, but they embraced it anyway. Yes, the people clung to the light of the creation of new ways. But along this path to greater times, what did it take for the peasants, serfs, nobles and even kings to realize that their old ways were giving way to something brighter? What did it take to find the path to light?
The Crusades-
However, this was no ordinary land. This was the Holy Land, or Palestine*. Christians held this land firmly in their right hand, and they didn’t want to let go. The Muslims, whose religion also had reverence for Palestine, were okay with this... for a while. Before Christians knew it, however, a different kind of Muslim (Turkish Muslims) stormed in and took the land away from the Christians. Right away the Byzantine Empire suspected something. Who were these new enemies? And how fast could we get rid of them? Soon Pope Urban the Second was called upon to encourage the Christians that were uneasy about going into battle (Year of occurrence- 1095 CE). Before long the Pope had an army collected. Knights, peasants, lords and others joined forces to defeat those who had stripped them of what was important.
As the Crusaders raised their cross-emblazoned shields they shouted “For God!” The army of thousands marched towards the Holy Land to reclaim what they lost. With determination they fought for what they believed, what they loved and what they treasured. With this determination they took back their beloved Palestine to keep,** but they didn’t keep it forever. In 1187 an Islamic emperor named Saladin took the Holy Land for his own . This caused many other Crusades to take place. After this battle the Christians realised that Crusading didn’t just have to be about retaining Holy Land, but also about just capturing land in general. When this Crusade came to pass,*** the Holy Land skipped between the Muslims and the Christians, and others not mentioned.****In the very end, around the conclusion of the 13th century (1200’s) the Muslims ended up with the Holy Land and the Crusades were deemed a failure, for the most part.
In history, however, the Crusades strive to show us that the spirit, the drive, and the determined force of the Christians should be applauded. Though the victory they wanted so desperately slipped through their fingers, that didn’t stop them one bit. The light properties of the Christians’ valiant efforts to return what was there’s outweighs all of the death and destruction that happened in the many years that the war persisted. Despite the fact this story didn’t have a happy ending (in the Christian’s perspective) persistence shown through even when they were unsure of recapturing what they loved.
As the Crusaders raised their cross-emblazoned shields they shouted “For God!” The army of thousands marched towards the Holy Land to reclaim what they lost. With determination they fought for what they believed, what they loved and what they treasured. With this determination they took back their beloved Palestine to keep,** but they didn’t keep it forever. In 1187 an Islamic emperor named Saladin took the Holy Land for his own . This caused many other Crusades to take place. After this battle the Christians realised that Crusading didn’t just have to be about retaining Holy Land, but also about just capturing land in general. When this Crusade came to pass,*** the Holy Land skipped between the Muslims and the Christians, and others not mentioned.****In the very end, around the conclusion of the 13th century (1200’s) the Muslims ended up with the Holy Land and the Crusades were deemed a failure, for the most part.
In history, however, the Crusades strive to show us that the spirit, the drive, and the determined force of the Christians should be applauded. Though the victory they wanted so desperately slipped through their fingers, that didn’t stop them one bit. The light properties of the Christians’ valiant efforts to return what was there’s outweighs all of the death and destruction that happened in the many years that the war persisted. Despite the fact this story didn’t have a happy ending (in the Christian’s perspective) persistence shown through even when they were unsure of recapturing what they loved.
The Black Death-
Although many battles were won and lost, the war of the Black Death was one battle that was lost. The Black Death was a battle that was lost so horribly, that it left only 75% of Europe’s population to live the rest of their short days. But how could this pandemic spread so quickly, and so devastatingly? The answer lies with the dirtier species of rodents that were popular in medieval Europe: rats. On these rats were fleas that carried this horrific disease. The fleas bit the rats, and the rats bit people. The Black Plague spread. Because of medieval Europe’s barbaric medicine and health practices, the infectious disease ran rampant through the streets with nothing to stop it, and if you had it you died within two days. If you had the luck to obtain this horrible disease, you would start by contracting a terribly high fever. Then, like the flu, vomiting would follow. Unlike the flu, however, buboes***** would start to appear under the armpit and on the groin. Others had infections in the lungs which led to breathing difficulties. Also in some areas of the body the skin turned black and died. This disease wiped out Europe and devastated the people.
Although this event in history was mostly viewed as a terrible thing, what about the people who survived? They were made stronger. They had more food. Countless possibilities were opened up to them because of those who died. Although this important pandemic in history definitely proved itself to be dark, the light prospects of the aftermath are also something to consider.
Although this event in history was mostly viewed as a terrible thing, what about the people who survived? They were made stronger. They had more food. Countless possibilities were opened up to them because of those who died. Although this important pandemic in history definitely proved itself to be dark, the light prospects of the aftermath are also something to consider.
Hundred Years’ War:
Power. It caused many conflicts, even started wars in the medieval times. It still does today. One of the largest power-caused wars in the medieval times was the Hundred Years’ War, which was between England and France. It all began when Edward the Third, the very distinguished King of England, declared that he had right to the French throne because his mother was the daughter of the King of France (King Philip the Fair). Right away the French retaliated and before anyone knew what was going on, a full out war had started- each side thinking that they had the right to the French throne. A series of wars broke out on French territory. For the next 116 years, (1337-1453) bloody war devastated both sides. Unfortunately France and England were for the most part equally matched, so a stalemate was inevitable. England won some, then France won some. Every few battles the violence would die down, then the English or the French would find a reason to battle with each other and the wars would start up again. For the most part England won most of the battles. At around 1415, England had control of most of France. The French were losing their beloved country and there was nothing that they could do to stop England from uniting both nations under one crown. Right when it seemed all was lost, a young warrior flies onto the battlefield clad in white armor. Could this be France’s savior? She was France’s savior whether the soldiers knew who she was or not. Who else could this mysterious warrior be, other than Joan of Arc. When England came closer and closer to driving her people out of their own country, Joan believed that God had spoken to her telling her to fight the English intruders on their land. Posing as a man, Joan travelled along a long road to reach the Hundred Year’s War battleground to fight alongside her fellow French natives. Unfortunately, after Joan saved her people, she was captured by the English soldiers and convicted of being a witch. Unable to prove herself innocent, she was burnt to the stake. After Joan’s death war still persisted. However, in a matter of years the Hundred Years’ War finally ended when England just couldn’t keep up with the deaths and the amount of people leaving England for the battles. It was pointless to continue any further so England simply went home and France kept their throne.
The real question is did this war progress or deteriorate Europe? For England’s sake, the war was a complete setback. However, on France’s side, the soldiers held steadfast against England’s forces and they kept their land.
The real question is did this war progress or deteriorate Europe? For England’s sake, the war was a complete setback. However, on France’s side, the soldiers held steadfast against England’s forces and they kept their land.
Magna Carta-
Poking with furious determination, a sword drills its sharp point in your back. Angry peasants and some nobles surround you. Forcing you to your knees, one of the angry nobles shoves a quill into your open hand. Growling words of hatred at the nobles clad in armor around you, you stare in infuriated disbelief at the document below you. How could YOUR nobles be doing this to you? How dare they demand more rights and more money for themselves? It’s enough to drive you up the wall. Grudgingly you make the quill sign your name: King John.
Although it seemed that King John was being treated disrespectfully, King John was the one that was at fault. The nobles were forcing their king to sign that document so that he couldn't just raise the taxes without the acceptance of the people. Also, they were stopping King John from interfering with the church. This is one of the many examples of the people rebelling against their rulers to capture their well-deserved freedom. Out of all the examples of citizens breaking free of their restraints in history, the most famous is (of course) the United States breaking free of England. It was even said that the Magna Carta had much influence in the making of the Constitution.
Although the nobles and peasants put so much effort and work into making King John a more honorable ruler, did the Magna Carta accomplish what it was meant to do? If accomplishing its goal meant that it controlled the monarchs from throwing insane tax rates at the people and from messing with the way the church was run, then the Magna Carta definitely accomplished its goal. The Magna Carta was one of the first of many documents to tell high-ranking officials that the PEOPLE have rights too, and that we should ALL be treated equal, no matter what.
Dark vs. Light: that is the question. Even though the medieval Europeans did have some speed bumps along the way, eventually they began to understand what worked in the world. Often, wars didn't solve much. We have a lot to learn about medicine. Power, in large quantities, can kill. The people can, in fact, speak for themselves. Though the name itself proclaims to the world that the people in medieval times messed up, the Dark ages weren't really that bad. They were all about learning, and perfecting oneself for a better future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Palestine- This territory also included Canaan, Southern Syria and Jerusalem
**Please note that although the First Crusade was successful in retaining Palestine, by the time the Christians had gotten to the Holy Land to fight they were fighting not the Turkish Muslims but Egyptians who had taken the Holy Land from the Turks.
***The Christians didn't win this one
****Example: The Egyptians
*****Buboes look like giant blisters
Citations:
1) “Textbook Topic Research” ISN page 66
2) Medieval Life by Andrew Langley
3)http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/the-crusades.htm
4) "Middle Ages for Kids: Crusades." Ducksters. Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013 <http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_crusades.php>.
5) http://www.sophia.org/crash-course-on-the-crusades-tutorial
6)http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/hundred-years-war.htm
7) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years'_War
8) http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/magna-carta.htm
Page Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.
Although it seemed that King John was being treated disrespectfully, King John was the one that was at fault. The nobles were forcing their king to sign that document so that he couldn't just raise the taxes without the acceptance of the people. Also, they were stopping King John from interfering with the church. This is one of the many examples of the people rebelling against their rulers to capture their well-deserved freedom. Out of all the examples of citizens breaking free of their restraints in history, the most famous is (of course) the United States breaking free of England. It was even said that the Magna Carta had much influence in the making of the Constitution.
Although the nobles and peasants put so much effort and work into making King John a more honorable ruler, did the Magna Carta accomplish what it was meant to do? If accomplishing its goal meant that it controlled the monarchs from throwing insane tax rates at the people and from messing with the way the church was run, then the Magna Carta definitely accomplished its goal. The Magna Carta was one of the first of many documents to tell high-ranking officials that the PEOPLE have rights too, and that we should ALL be treated equal, no matter what.
Dark vs. Light: that is the question. Even though the medieval Europeans did have some speed bumps along the way, eventually they began to understand what worked in the world. Often, wars didn't solve much. We have a lot to learn about medicine. Power, in large quantities, can kill. The people can, in fact, speak for themselves. Though the name itself proclaims to the world that the people in medieval times messed up, the Dark ages weren't really that bad. They were all about learning, and perfecting oneself for a better future.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Palestine- This territory also included Canaan, Southern Syria and Jerusalem
**Please note that although the First Crusade was successful in retaining Palestine, by the time the Christians had gotten to the Holy Land to fight they were fighting not the Turkish Muslims but Egyptians who had taken the Holy Land from the Turks.
***The Christians didn't win this one
****Example: The Egyptians
*****Buboes look like giant blisters
Citations:
1) “Textbook Topic Research” ISN page 66
2) Medieval Life by Andrew Langley
3)http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/the-crusades.htm
4) "Middle Ages for Kids: Crusades." Ducksters. Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013 <http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_crusades.php>.
5) http://www.sophia.org/crash-course-on-the-crusades-tutorial
6)http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/hundred-years-war.htm
7) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years'_War
8) http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/magna-carta.htm
Page Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.