| History 121 | Medieval Culture: Education,
Literature and Leisure Activities |
I. Education A. Monasteries - emphasis on reading and philosophical contemplation B. Cathedral Schools 1. growth of government bureaucracies and the papal monarchy 2. need for scholars and administrators 3. cathedral schools offered a much more active training than monastic schools (e.g., debate) 4. seven liberal arts: a. trivium (emphasized in cathedral schools) 1. grammar 2. rhetoric 3. logic b. quadrivium 1. geometry 2. arithmetic 3. music 4. astronomy 5. Architectural Changes a. Romanesque: Roman basilica, barrel vaults [diagram, image] b. Gothic: pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses [diagram, image] C. Universities 1. spin-offs from cathedral schools 2. example: University of Paris; university classroom a. masters move to the left bank of the Seine after conflicts with the cathedral of Notre Dame b. eventually form a guild, referred to as universitas 3. universities were independent, self-governing institutions 4. rediscovery of Aristotle in the 12th and 13th centuries led to an emphasis on the teaching of logic in universities 5. scholasticism: the main pedagogical method used in medieval universities a. Peter Abelard (1079-1142) — Sic et Non b. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) — Summa Theologica
II. Literature A. Epic (chansons de geste = songs of great deeds) 1. emphasized bravery, loyalty and heroism 2. packed with action and gory battle descriptions 3. for example, DOC 34: The Song of Roland B. Lyric poetry 1. Troubadour poetry a. aristocratic pastime in southern France b. main theme was unattainable love 2. Goliardic poetry a. non-aristocratic b. main subjects: drinking, gambling and men's sexual exploits with women c. for example, DOC 35: Bacche bene venies C. Romance 1. troubadour tradition of southern France merges with the epic tradition of northern France to form the romance 2. main subjects: heroic exploits and love 3. for example, Chrétien de Troyes, Lancelot
III. Leisure Activities A. aristocratic activities 1. male activities: hunting (deer hunting) and tournaments (jousting) also: fly-fishing, tennis 2. male/female activities: chess, backgammon, cards, dice, falconry, feast B. activities of common people 1. male activities: wrestling, archery, football (soccer), other ball games, drinking (outdoor tavern scene, indoor tavern scene) 2. male/female activities: chess, backgammon, dice, swimming
IV. Discussion: medieval dicing game called Glückhaus
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