Thomas Aquinas Section Written By: Crew Member Malia S.
Saint Thomas Aquinas
There were some people in the time of the Dark Ages that were small lanterns against the shadowy sky; some extremely helpful, important, bright beings that lit up the day during their time of life. One of these incredible people was Thomas Aquinas, a theologian and Catholic philosopher in Medieval times. And though so much of him was shining and wonderful, he did also have flaws; there were parts of him that were darkened around the edges. Just like the Middle Ages, this man was not all dark, nor all light; it is not right to attach only one description onto his name. Instead, we must view him as a whole; a full person with so much depth to him. And when we are able to see him as a full, real human being, we will be able to realize that, although he did have some faults, he truly was a small shimmer of light in the Dark Ages.
There were some people in the time of the Dark Ages that were small lanterns against the shadowy sky; some extremely helpful, important, bright beings that lit up the day during their time of life. One of these incredible people was Thomas Aquinas, a theologian and Catholic philosopher in Medieval times. And though so much of him was shining and wonderful, he did also have flaws; there were parts of him that were darkened around the edges. Just like the Middle Ages, this man was not all dark, nor all light; it is not right to attach only one description onto his name. Instead, we must view him as a whole; a full person with so much depth to him. And when we are able to see him as a full, real human being, we will be able to realize that, although he did have some faults, he truly was a small shimmer of light in the Dark Ages.
Saint Thomas Aquinas himself, who lived in Europe from 1225-1274, introduced the idea of the combination of theology and reason into the Middle Ages. He brought such a new, inspiring belief to that time in history: the idea that religion and reason were not separate ‘truths’, but one whole ‘Truth’. This belief that Aquinas brought to the surface of the Dark Ages was first rejected by everyone, including the wisest philosophers.But like any great leader, Aquinas did not give up the fight; he did not let stubborn beings shut down his beautiful new understanding of life. His strength, determination, and belief in himself was what lit his lantern; that in and of itself was what made him shine so bright in these Dark Ages. And after awhile, his ideas began to get the recognition and acceptance they deserved; they began to intrigue the people of the church and the towns. Soon everyone had open minds and hearts towards Aquinas’s theory. The thought that faith and reason could be one, wonderful truth was one that the people had never come across before...and they grew to love it. With that, Aquinas was known as a true genius. Of course, he had flaws, just like any other whole human being. But as we look back on him today, we can remember him for his outstanding strengths; his brilliance and beautiful insight on life. There was so much bright, magnificent light inside Aquinas that it seeped through the surface of his skin; sending out shining rays of golden throughout a whole time period around him.
Resources
Middle Ages. 3 April 2013. <http://www.themiddleages.net/people/aquinas.html >.
Western Culture Global. 5 September 2006. 31 March 2013. <http://www.westerncultureglobal.org/aquinas.html>.
Middle Ages. 3 April 2013. <http://www.themiddleages.net/people/aquinas.html >.
Western Culture Global. 5 September 2006. 31 March 2013. <http://www.westerncultureglobal.org/aquinas.html>.
Charlemagne
Charlemagne Section Written By: Crew Member Makenna S.
Charlemagne, one of Europe’s most successful kings, did so much to improve and expand the Frankish Empire. As a king that loved his subjects, Charlemagne tried as much as he could to truly connect and be with his people to support and care for their needs. When he went into battle, he wept for those who had died. All in all he was the best king a kingdom could have.
He was kind and loving, but he was also extremely productive and efficient in work and expanding his empire. For crime and punishment Charlemagne developed a new jury system that replaced the old jury system. This ineffective way to judge criminals was called Trial by Ordeal. Trial by Ordeal wasn’t exactly a way to judge the criminal based on their actions, but a way to see if their physical self could withstand harsh treatment. For example, if the accused held a hot poker and walked five paces, the way that the judges told if the accused was guilty was if the burn from the poker healed quickly. If it healed in a matter of time that was appealing to the judges, then the accused was innocent. If not, punishment was in order. Charlemagne knew this system was unjust, so he devised way for the criminal to be able to state why he should be charged as innocent. Charlemagne created the jury system Trial by Panel, where the accused got to state their crime and why they should be able to be set free. Although this method was still flawed, it was still a start to becoming less medieval and more modern.
He was kind and loving, but he was also extremely productive and efficient in work and expanding his empire. For crime and punishment Charlemagne developed a new jury system that replaced the old jury system. This ineffective way to judge criminals was called Trial by Ordeal. Trial by Ordeal wasn’t exactly a way to judge the criminal based on their actions, but a way to see if their physical self could withstand harsh treatment. For example, if the accused held a hot poker and walked five paces, the way that the judges told if the accused was guilty was if the burn from the poker healed quickly. If it healed in a matter of time that was appealing to the judges, then the accused was innocent. If not, punishment was in order. Charlemagne knew this system was unjust, so he devised way for the criminal to be able to state why he should be charged as innocent. Charlemagne created the jury system Trial by Panel, where the accused got to state their crime and why they should be able to be set free. Although this method was still flawed, it was still a start to becoming less medieval and more modern.
Charlemagne was also big into education and learning. As a result of this, he transformed his castle into an education center where he invited scholars from all over the world to create illuminated manuscripts. The illuminated manuscripts that Charlemagne had his scholars create sometimes had a covering in gold, but they were always chock full of information that would be used in later times. It was also a great way to preserve their time in writing.
The legacy of Charlemagne was one that was greater than many people’s legacies today. Charlemagne was really about giving back to the people and creating ways that people could benefit in everyday life. He made a great path for himself, a great path for his people and a great path for those that followed him.
Resources:
http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/charlemagne.html, http://www.traditioninaction.org/History/A01CharlemagnePersonality.html
http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/charlemagne.html, http://www.traditioninaction.org/History/A01CharlemagnePersonality.html
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc Section Written By: Crew Member Cassie M.
Joan of Arc, preferably called Jehanne la Pucelle, was a young teenage girl from France. She grew up as a peasant in the town of Domremy in the same time period as the famous series of battles we now know as The Hundred Years War. At age 13, Joan claimed to hear the voices of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret telling her to help set France free from the English. After this, Joan pleaded the governor in Vaucouleurs to give her troops and an escort to use to fight against the English. Once the church scholars in Poitiers approved of her, Joan was granted the place of command for her new army, which won its first battle in Orleans in 1429. She also lead her army to more victory at Patay, on June 18. After noticing the other French cities be defeated, Troyes and a few more towns surrendered. Once this occurred, Joan of Arc and her army guided their king, Charles of Ponthieu, to his coronation in Rheims.
To thank her for her service, Joan and her family were rewarded with a noble status in late December, 1429. Joan went back to war the next year, even after predicting her defeat. She was captured at Compiegne in the middle of the year 1930, transferred to the English, and eventually put on trial. These ruthless Englishmen wanted to convince the court members that Joan of Arc was a witch, and that King Charles was a phony king for putting Joan in the army. The clergy was a pro-English group who were set on convicting Joan as guilty. This move succeeded, and Joan was executed. A short while after her death, a more fair and reputable jury pronounced Joan as innocent. The matter was placed in court a few more times before everyone was in agreement. In the year of 1920, Joan of Arc was officially declared and renamed as Saint Joan of Arc; a martyr and war hero of her time.
Resources:
1. http://archive.joan-of-arc.org/
2. http://www.motherlindas.com/joan_of_arc.htm
3. http://www.stjoan-center.com/
4. http://www.joanofarc.info/
5. http://www.maidofheaven.com/joanofarc_jeannedarc_jehannedarc.asp
1. http://archive.joan-of-arc.org/
2. http://www.motherlindas.com/joan_of_arc.htm
3. http://www.stjoan-center.com/
4. http://www.joanofarc.info/
5. http://www.maidofheaven.com/joanofarc_jeannedarc_jehannedarc.asp
Overall, each one of these people brought light to the Dark Ages, and fully deserve to be in the memory of the modern day.