When looking at the European Middle Ages, it may be easy to assume it was a “dark” time, due to the many horrors the time period endured. However, this is not enough to label the entire period as the “Dark Ages.” The Middle Ages were more light than dark, because it was a period of religious dedication, intellectual breakthrough, and scientific advancement. While religion has appeared important in almost every culture of every time period, it was very prominent in the Middle Ages. God was viewed even more holy than He is today, not even being spoken of by any earthly name. There is an example of this in the first document where the speaker addresses God, “I will to N. be holy and faithful” (Doc. 1). This “N.” is referring to the name of God too holy for words. The theme of this time and of Documents 1 and 2 is a commitment to God and His will, doing anything to keep Him happy and content. While there were people such as in Document 9 who were a bit extreme and sacrificed more than just wealth and services to God, even their own kin, this was not the norm, and
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This was not the case in the Middle Ages, as structures became extremely elaborate and ground-breaking in the field of architecture. Document 4 describes a luxurious home with high ceilings, endless amenities, and beautiful finishes. Document 6 shows an example of such beautiful architecture and design in the famous Abbey of Notre Dame. Even the hospital in document 13 is architecturally creative and awe-inspiring. The innovation that made design in this time period so famous is Gothic architecture. This integrated, “pointed arches, ribbed vault, and flying buttresses” (Doc. 14). These innovations of construction allowed architects to make cathedrals both more open, and brighter. This helped to reflect the Catholic Church in its message, but also represents the time period:
This was not the case in the Middle Ages, as structures became extremely elaborate and ground-breaking in the field of architecture. Document 4 describes a luxurious home with high ceilings, endless amenities, and beautiful finishes. Document 6 shows an example of such beautiful architecture and design in the famous Abbey of Notre Dame. Even the hospital in document 13 is architecturally creative and awe-inspiring. The innovation that made design in this time period so famous is Gothic architecture. This integrated, “pointed arches, ribbed vault, and flying buttresses” (Doc. 14). These innovations of construction allowed architects to make cathedrals both more open, and brighter. This helped to reflect the Catholic Church in its message, but also represents the time period: