During the Middle Ages from the 11th to 15th centuries, Catholicism dominated religion in Europe. Thomas Aquinas was an influential Catholic priest whose works Summa Theologica explored theological issues. Art during this period was influenced by Byzantine, Roman, and Northern European styles and was largely produced by monks. Notable art forms included tapestries, sculpture, painting and music like Gregorian chants and works of later composers. Feudal society was hierarchical and stratified with the king, clergy, and nobility at the top. Literature works were mostly religious or about courtly love and notable authors included Dante, Chaucer, and the anonymous author of Beowulf.

1. Middle Ages
11th century – 15th century
By: Varsha, Nicole, Blane & Simrun

2. Religion
• Dominated by Catholicism
• One main Catholic Church – had its own laws
and taxes; very powerful institution
• Thomas Aquinas: catholic priest, Summa
Theologica (God’s Existence, Ethics, Christ)
• Helped monarchy rule
• Pilgrimages were important

3. Art
• Art Media: Tapestry, sculpture, painting, metal work, music, mosaic, and textile
• Art was influenced by traditions of the Byzantine Empire, the barbarians of Northern Europe, and
the Roman Empire
• Most artwork produced by monks and was secular, later in the period the bourgeoisies created art
• Metal work was influenced by the Byzantine Empire
• Gregorian Chant: single melody religious chant (Jewish and Byzantine)
• Notre Dame and Ars Antiqua: Church experimented with two melodies instead of one. The use of
the organum became prominent
• Trouvères and the Troubadours: played by musicans who traveled around Europe. It is of French
decent. Songs of love, joy, and pain
• Guillaume de Machaut and Ars Nova: Poet and Composer. Ars Nova captures the emotions of
courtly love. Still secular. Introduction of choral music and polyphonic styles..
• Famous Artists:
– Donatello
– Giotto
– Leon Battista Alberti
– Filippo Brunelleschi
– Fra Angelica
– Lorenzo Ghiberti

4. Art
Giotto
Donatello

5. Culture
• Feudal Society
– King, clergy, merchants, craftsmen, yeoman famers, peasants(serfs)
– Noble men and households fought in wars: used cross bows, spears, swords
• Gender Roles:
– Men
• Patriarchal Society
• Primogeniture: the first born son would inherit the family land and wealth
– Women
• treated with respect, but still seen as frail and pure
• women free of marital bonds could own land and had legal rights
• Magna Carta
• Education and Labor
– Churches oversaw education
– Universities became popular as alchemy, and old
philosophical King
– Guilds
– The Plague

6. Literature
• Latin based
• Works were dominantly religious
• The Divine Comedy – Dante Alighieri 
• Cantebury Tales – Geoffrey Chaucer
• Chroniques – Jean Froissart
• Morte d’Arthur – Sir Thomas Malory
• Beowolf – Anonymous 

7. Works Cited
• http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/index.htm
• http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Middle_Ages
• http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Florence_-
_David_by_Donatello.jpg
• http://www.hudsonfla.com/artmedieval2.htm
• http://cyberechos.creteil.iufm.fr/cyber6/histoire/visite/epoisse.htm
• http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/
• http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/The_Divine_Comedy.aspx
• http://literature.wikia.com/wiki/Beowulf