Essay 3

Step 1: Annotated Bibliography

The primary focus of the bibliography, thesis statement, and the paper will be on the Dark and

the Middle Ages. The goal of this task will be made evident in this essay through the use of

literature and research. The Dark Ages and the chivalric code will be referenced to frame the

investigation and describe its impact. The discussion will go back in time to evaluate the Dark

and Middle Ages. This dark period in history led to the discovery of many new ideas, things, and

technologies, many of which have impacted the world we live in today.

1. Bispham, E. (2006). Edinburgh Companion to Ancient Greece and Rome. Edinburgh

University Press.

The newly released paperback edition of The Edinburgh Companion opens a window into the

fascinating realms of classical Greece and Rome. Extensive research shows the breadth of

classical civilization's influence on modern society. As the conversation on the Dark Ages

and how it became a dark time in history was brought up, there is a provided thought on

Ancient Greece. Several significant archaeological finds and additional surveys of the time

period have added to our knowledge of the "Dark Age" after those studies were published.

There is now a more precise grasp of the divides within this time period, particularly in the

portion still considered part of the Late Bronze Age. The key time following the fall of the

Mycenaean palace system has likewise made progress in its cultural definition. It is named

the Late Helladic IIIC period (c. 1200–1100 BC) because it occurs at the end of the Late

Bronze Age, just before the transitional period known as the Sub-Mycenaean period (c.

1100–1025 BC), which sees Greek villages utilizing the newly imported iron-working
 technology. This source would be important in evaluating how the classical eras of Rome and

Greece uncovered several key facts about the Dark Age.

2. Mansoor, P. R. (2014). The evolution of military ethos over the ages. In Phi Kappa Phi

Forum (Vol. 94, No. 2, p. 10). National Forum: Phi Kappa Phi Journal.

The journal article is a significant source for determining the importance of military codes of

honor in establishing American values and developing soldiers' personalities. The

development of the Chivalric Code, a medieval instrument based on the warrior's creed, the

European roots of the American military's concept of honor, and the growth of military

organizations are just a few of the subjects addressed in this book. The Chivalric Code is a

unique social tool developed out of the warrior's faith during the medieval era. The stirrup

and thick coats of armor made the mounted warrior the most powerful force on the

battlefield, at least until the introduction of the longbow and gunpowder weaponry in the 14th

century, which established the ethos of the mounted knight. In the Arthurian legend and the

writings of medieval authors like Chrétien de Troyes and Geoffrey of Monmouth, it is

implied that a knight's honor is valuable.

3. Martin, T. R. (2013). Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times (Yale Nota

Bene). Yale University Press.

Adapted and cross-referenced with Peruses' multimedia interactive database, Interactive

Sources and Studies on Ancient Greece includes valuable timelines, maps, plans, and images.

Additional chapters on Greek prehistory, Bronze and Dark Ages, and Hellenistic eras are

included in this book. Martin begins with a prehistory of late Stone Age activity that offers

context for the conditions of ancient Greek society. Martin covers Crete's Minoan civilization
 and its successors on the mainland (the Mycenaeans), Greece's Dark Ages and Archaic Ages,

its Classical Era (the fifth and fourth millennia B.C.), and its rise to prominence in the Greek

world, which is the period after Alexander the Great's death, which saw the emergence of

monarchies from Alexander's shattered empire. This bibliographical source will be beneficial

in the understanding of historical timelines, navigational and strategic knowledge (through

maps and plans), and essential themes of the Dark Age (through images).

4. Milch, R. J., & Cliffs Notes, I. (1964). The Arthurian legends. Idylls of the King: Notes.

Lincoln, Neb: Cliffs Notes (pp. 63-64)

Many of Tennyson's Idylls were inspired and based on the stories of King Arthur and the

Round Table from which medieval literature may be found. For centuries, the Arthurian tales

have gripped the English imagination because of their heroic and evocative depictions of the

country's history. Given the time constraints of writing an epic poem, Tennyson had no

choice but to choose the person who would elicit strong feelings of patriotism, pride, and

admiration in the hearts of all Englishmen as his subject. The genuine King Arthur had

virtually no historical antecedents. He may have been a Celtic Britons warlord or minor king

who led his people in strong and briefly successful resistance to the Anglo-Saxon invasion in

the fifth or sixth century A.D., but this is not ruled out. The Anglo-Saxons prevailed despite

Arthur's famous twelve engagements, culminating in Mount Badon, and drove the defeated

Britons into the remote regions of Scotland and Wales. The origins of the Arthurian stories

can be traced back to these regions. This source will be important in analyzing the Dark Age

from the British viewpoint, where the reign of King Arthur was the focal point of this age.
 Step 2: Thesis Statement

This paper aims to evaluate the Dark and Middle Ages and how these eras played an

instrumental role in shaping the modern, sophisticated world we live in today.

Step 3: Paper

Introduction

The fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance occurred from the 5th

to 14th centuries. This period, known as the "Dark Ages," was marked by a dearth of scientific

and cultural advancement (Reville, 2020). However, many medieval historians have cast the

phrase aside because it does not bear up to scrutiny. Francesco Petrarca, also known as Petrarch,

coined the term "Dark Ages." He was an Italian academic of the 14th century. In his words, the

time was the "Dark Ages" due to the lack of high-quality writing. On the other hand, the classical

era was a time of seeming cultural advancement. The Roman and Greek cultures left their mark

on various fields, including the arts, sciences, philosophy, architecture, and even governmental

systems (Hughes, 2021). Europe's history is painted as having taken a 'wrong turn' after the fall

of Rome, even though many aspects of Roman and Greek society and culture were undesirable

(Gladiatorial fighting and slavery, to mention a few). Others responded by expanding the term

"dark age" to include Europe in the period between 500 and 1400. Historians continually re-

evaluate the dates because of the overlap, cultural shifts, and regional differences. The time is

also referred to as the Feudal Period or the Middle Ages, two terms that are currently under

debate among medievalists. Researchers narrowed down the term "Dark Ages" to include only a

few hundred years of history. For this period, the term "Early Middle Ages" was developed

(Hughes, 2021). As a result, it is widely accepted that sweeping conclusions about the culture of
a given historical period, and the people who lived there, are inaccurate. Others contend that the

so-called "Dark Ages" did not exist. The Early Middle Ages appear to have been a strongly

integrated civilization, even as Christian missionary activity increased throughout this time. For

example, the early English Church relied heavily on priests and bishops who had received their

training in other countries. In the late 7th century, Theodore founded a school in Canterbury that

would become a prominent study center in Anglo-Saxon England (Hughes, 2021). Both

Theodore's birthplace and training ground were located in south-central Turkey. People did not

merely go to England because it was in Anglo-Saxon hands. Europeans of Anglo-Saxon ancestry

can be found all across the continent. It was normal for nobility and peasants alike to make

perilous trips to Rome and the surrounding area daily.

The 'Light' in the Dark Ages

A period of "barbarism, superstition, and ignorance covering the face of the globe"

characterized Europe's history from 476 until 1453 (Bartlett, 2001). When church authority

waned, the Renaissance (1400-1600) and the Scientific Revolution (1543-1687) permitted

individuals to satiate their knowledge needs without being restricted by religious dogma. Then

came the Enlightenment (1715-1789). Scientists unleashed by the Protestant Reformation (1517)

were instrumental in the Scientific Revolution. According to Stark (2016), a social scientist and

historian, this story is a fabrication. Nobody went through the Dark Ages or the Scientific

Revolution during this time. Much progress was achieved during the "Dark Ages," and even

during the "Scientific Revolution," just average, gradual progress was made in science. To the

extent that religion has impeded scientific development at universities, important discoveries of

the Scientific Revolution built on past work done mainly by clergy members. Enlightenment

thinkers' anti-Catholic propaganda served to popularize the idea of the Dark Ages, but most
modern historians have rethought these views. Despite Enlightenment propaganda to the

contrary, the so-called Dark Ages were a time of great advancement in science, education,

construction, agriculture, combat, music, and more. Petrarch's claim has extensively disproved

early Middle Ages literature and learning (Ross & Ross, 1998). Literature was encouraged and

valued in the Early Middle Ages, especially by society's upper echelons. Philosophy began to use

the term "the Dark Ages" to refer to the period between the Renaissance and Enlightenment in

the 18th century Enlightenment. The paucity of records and the primary role of organized religion

in the Middle Ages were seen as 'black' compared to the lighter times of antiquity and the

Renaissance. Several historians have argued that the phrase is unnecessary because of the

quantity of knowledge and understanding of the Early Middle Ages. This expression has

persisted in everyday speech and usage, though. When used in a derogatory way, the phrase

"Dark Ages" can be seen as old-fashioned and disparaging for a time when art, culture, and

literature thrived across Europe.

A "Code of Chivalry in the purest sense" did not exist in the medieval age. Medieval

knights praised bravery, honor, and chivalry toward women throughout the Code of Chivalry

(Mansoor, 2014). This moral code went beyond the laws of warfare and created the concept of

Chivalrous conduct. The Codes of Chivalry also included the idea of courtly love in their

interpretation. In the medieval world, the honor code for knights was known as the Code of

Chivalry. In Medieval times, the Code of Chivalry was an integral part of the culture and daily

lives of the people who lived there. Authors of Medieval poetry, ballads, and other works of

literature popularized the qualities promulgated by the Knight's Code of Chivalry (Crouch,

2012). These chivalric ballads and poetry, sung by roaming minstrels, highlighted the courage

and honor code of the medieval knights. Chivalry is reinforced by the legends of King Arthur
and the Round Table from the Dark Ages (Alchin, 2018). In keeping with the Chivalric Code,

the Knights of the Round Table adhered to the four precepts of honor, honesty, bravery, and

loyalty.

The Middle Ages

Middle Ages began in the fourth and fifth centuries after Roman Empire fell and lasted

for around fifteen hundred years before Renaissance. From the turbulence and renewal of culture

that took place in the Early Middle Ages, the ideals and institutions of Western civilization were

born (A&E Television Networks, 2022). Scholarly research based on newly available source

material, archaeological findings, and demographic and migratory patterns studies provides a

more accurate and extensive analysis of events and trends during the Middle Ages. This period is

becoming increasingly important.

We often associate the term "Middle Ages" with the "Renaissance." Europe's intellectuals

and artists began to look backward at the art and culture of the ancient Greek and Roman

civilizations during this period (Bispham, 2006). It was referred to as the "Middle Ages" after

Rome's destruction when no great art or science had been accomplished, and no great leaders had

been born. In this view, the people of the Middle Ages had rejected the achievements of their

predecessors. The term "barbarism and religion," invented by English historian Edward Gibbon

in the 18th century, described what happened to them instead (Pocock, 2005). In the past, another

way to demonstrate one's devotion to the Catholic Church was through the construction of

cathedrals and other ecclesiastical structures, such as monasteries. It was common for medieval

cathedrals to be located in the middle of towns or cities, making them the continent's most

important landmarks. Most European churches were built in the Romanesque style between the

eleventh and thirteenth centuries. Romanesque cathedrals have few windows because of the
enormous stone walls and rounded brick arches supporting the roof (Martin, 2013). The

romanesque architecture includes Porto Cathedral in Portugal and Speyer Cathedral in modern-

day Germany.

Gothic architecture, a new architectural style that became popular among church builders

in the early 1200s, began to take hold. Some of the most notable examples of Gothic architecture

include France's Abbey Church of Saint-Denis and England's Canterbury Cathedral,

reconstructed from the ground up. Compared to Romanesque architecture, the gothic style

appears light and airy (Martin, 2013). Additionally, a variety of medieval religious artworks

might be found. Frescoes and mosaics, and paintings of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and various

saints adorned the interiors of churches. Books were viewed as works of art before the invention

of the printing press in the early 15th century. Monks and university students created illuminated

manuscripts adorned with gold and silver letters and other decorative elements. Nuns were

among the few women who could pursue higher education at convents. Affluent persons began

selling more minuscule illuminated manuscripts, such as books, psalters, and other prayer books,

in the 12th century. "Feudalism" was the name given to the system that ruled rural life in

medieval Europe (Anderson, 1996). Fiefs were vast parcels of land granted by the sovereign to

nobles and bishops in feudal societies. In feudal times, serfs, or landless peasants, were in charge

of the bulk of the farm work, including planting and harvesting crops and distributing the yield to

the landowner. They were given land to live on as a reward for their hard work. In the event of a

hostile invasion, they have also assured protection.

The 'Enlightened' Changes

During the 11th century, feudal life began to change. As a result of agricultural

advancements, fewer farm laborers were required to work on farms. Still, the population grew
due to the improved and expanded food supply. As a result, urban areas saw an increase in

population. Europeans' love for imported products like wine, olive oil, and fine textiles had been

whetted (Barragán-Álvarez, 2013). Port cities, in particular, prospered as the commercial sector

grew. 15 European cities had a population of at least 50,000 people by the year 1300. During the

Renaissance, a new age began in these cities. The Renaissance was not a brand new age but

rather a continuation of the Middle Ages. Due to Viking attacks in the early medieval period,

fortifications were built in villages, which encouraged the development of towns (Lepage, 2010).

Large medieval walled cities, thus, included dwellings as well as shops and religious buildings.

When it comes to medieval city walls and bars (gates), York, England, is well-known for having

the country's most comprehensive set of medieval city walls.

The human population grew during the High Middle Ages. There are several ideas as to

why Europe's population increased from 35 million to 80 million between 1000 and 1347, but

none has been proven conclusively. More popular theories include improved farming practices, a

warmer climate, and a lack of invasion. Peasants accounted for 90 percent of the European

population (Barbiera & Dalla‐Zuanna, 2009). Villages or manors were becoming more and more

popular places for people to live. In a system known as manorialism, these peasants were owed

rents and other services by their noble overlords, who ruled the land. Throughout this century

and afterward, a few free peasants, with the majority of them concentrated in southern Europe.

Encouraging peasants to colonize new territories by providing them with financial incentives was

also a factor in population growth (Heath & Binswanger, 1996). As a result of the political unrest

of the 9th and 10th centuries, castles began to be built as a defense against invading armies and

rival rulers. In the beginning, they were made of wood, then later of stone. Towns grew

established around castles as they were constructed. It was more common than in the countryside
to use children as servants in cities. The majority of the people who lived in towns were

merchants or artisans, and the activities of these groups were tightly regulated. To master their

craft and eventually join these guilds, they would take on young people, generally boys, as

apprentices. They were just as much a family member as the master's children.

Males were tasked with caring for all women throughout the Middle Ages. Even widows,

who were usually given some latitude in making decisions about their own mortality, were

constrained by the law. Crops, animals, and textiles were used to demonstrate the work of

southern German and English farmers. Women from a wide range of socioeconomic

backgrounds were involved in various activities. The textile, innkeeping, retail, and brewing

industries all attracted women from the middle class, as did their male counterparts, who were

often successful businessmen. Like those in the countryside, women in towns had domestic

responsibilities and economic opportunities. Poverty-stricken women were frequently employed

as domestic maids, day workers, or laundresses in wealthy families. It is clear from historical

records that women were not just responsible for home duties like cooking and cleaning but were

also involved in activities such as grinding and brewing and butchering and spinning.

Housekeeping, food preparation, textile production, and childcare were all detailed in an

anonymous 15th-century English poem.

Adapting to the Contemporary World

Economic growth, political centralization, and secularization co-occurred as the medieval

world gave way to the modern. A money economy undercut serfdom, and an inquisitive spirit

sparked the era of exploration. Secularism and capitalism thrived in the burgeoning towns and

helped support kings expanding their rule (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2012). The

church was undermined by internal conflicts and disagreements with the state. During the
Hundred Years' War and Wars of the Roses, the modern nation-state was born in France and

England. Intellectual modernity had its roots in the new humanism of the Renaissance. The

religious beliefs that resulted in the Protestant Reformation finally broke the vast medieval unity

of Christianity.

Conclusion

To better understand the present world, it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of

medieval history since the modern world is a direct descendant of the medieval. When someone

says or does something, it is critical to know what they were thinking and feeling behind the

scenes. As medieval Europe's social, economic, and political climates shifted, so did the

economy, politics, and society. During the emergence of the money economy, the system of

serfdom was undermined, and a new period of adventure was ushered in. Europe's population

grew during the High Middle Ages, which began around 1000, thanks primarily to technological

advancements that allowed trade to flourish and climate shifts that enhanced grain harvests.

Moreover, during the Dark Ages, the Code of Chivalry of the Knights Templar was widely

accepted, and everyone knew what it meant. In fact, there was no code at all. Medieval chivalry

was defined as a set of laws that went beyond the battlefield. Gallantry, valor, honor, and civility

to women were among the characteristics of medieval knights. Stories about King Arthur and the

Knights of the Round Table highlighted the Knight's Code of Chivalry much more than other

works of fiction. Famous for his bravery and unmatched combat skills, King Arthur of Britain

rose to prominence in the late fifth century (Milch & Cliffs, 1964). Arthur and his knights had

taken chivalric oaths. King Arthur and his knights featured prominently in many legends that

bolster the code's foundations. Almost all of these stories focused on the Chivalric Code that

King Arthur and his knights lived by. The demise of knighthood meant the end of chivalry.
Trade liberalization and an expanding middle class were major factors in this development. The

system's power was gradually shifted away from noblemen and into the hands of the common

people (Milch & Cliffs, 1964). Wealthy merchants sought the knightly class' values, habits, and

etiquette. Even though these practices became less and less popular, they eventually ended.
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