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Chapter Ten:
High Middle Ages
The Significance of Paris
Center of Western civilization (1150-1300)
Gothic architecture
Scholasticism
The University
Distinct cultural expression
Classical texts
Judeo-Christian worldview
Religious reforms
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The Gothic Style: Saint Denis
Abbot Suger (1080-1151)
Saint Denis and Charlemagne
Pilgrimage destination
Lendit
Choir, double ambulatory
Defining Gothic
Gothic vs. Romanesque
10.2 Abbey church of Saint-Denis, France
The Gothic Style
Laon Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral
Chartres Cathedral
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10.5 Laon Cathedral, interior
The Mysticism of Light
Luminous quality of the Gothic
Suger’s “theology of beauty”
Neo-Platonic philosophy, purity of light
Stained glass windows
Lux Nova
…vs. Byzantine mosaics
“Bible of the Poor”
10.10 Notre
Dame de Belle
Verrier “)(Our
Lady of the
Beautiful
Window”),
stained-glass
window,
Chartres
Cathedral,
France, early
13th century
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10.11
Tympanum, right door
royal portal west
façade, Chartres
Cathedral, France.
10.12 Gargoyles on
Notre-Dame, Paris,
France
10.8 Chartres Cathedral, Chartres, France, as
rebuilt after 1194.
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10.15
Vintner’s window, glass
roundel, Chartres
Cathedral, Chartres,
France, 1215
To Teach and Edify
Learning, wisdom, and God
Collaboration of builders, theologians
History of salvation in decoration
Gargoyles
Many Meanings of the Gothic Cathedral
Social functions
“Cathedral Square”
Church courts / civil courts
Horarium
Economic impact
Pilgrimages, trade fairs, feast days
Prestigious donations by guilds
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Many Meanings of the Gothic Cathedral
Motivation to build
Actual design and construction
Villard de Honnecourt’s notebook
Combination of human knowledge and
religious faith
Pilgrim as central metaphor
Music: The School of Notre Dame
Musical notation
Guido d’Arezzo
Polyphony of organum
Léonin’s Magnus Liber Organi
Pérotin and counterpoint
The Motet
Scholasticism:
The Rise of the Universities
Demand for an educated class
Support for socioeconomic structures
Intellectual and cultural needs
Ancient texts (Aristotle)
Relationships with Arab scholars
Renaissance of legal studies
Dialectics
Peter Abelard
Scholasticism
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Map 10.2 The University
10.18 Jacobello and Pier Piero dalle Mesegne,
Students, 1383-1386
Scholasticism:
The Rise of the Universities
University of Paris
William of Champeaux (1070-1121)
Peter Abelard (1079-1142)
Universitas
Magistri / doctors
Art vs. Theology
Student financial assistance
Curriculum and instruction
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Scholasticism:
The Rise of the Universities
Student culture and lifestyles
Women not admitted to universities
Educated by private tutors or in convents
Few exceptions to the rule (Italy, Germany)
Medieval Literature
Troubadours and Trobairitz
Guillem de Peiteus
Bernart de Ventadorn
Beatriz, The Comtessa de Dia
Bertran de Born
Saint Golias
Goliardic Verse
Carmina Burana
The Romance of the Rose
Medieval Religion, Philosophy,
and Writing
Moses Maimonides (1135-1204)
The Guide for the Perplexed
The reality of God
Theories about the beginnings and eternality of
the universe
Celebration of the Sabbath
Human intelligence
Why people are responsible for the evil that
befalls them
Formulated 13 principles of Jewish faith
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Francis of Assisi
Mendicant brotherhood
Life of total poverty, mobility
Humanity of Christ
Literal interpretation of the Gospels
Stigmata
Goodness of God’s creation
Concern for all creatures
Affective and emotional religion
10.20 Bonaventura
Berlinghieri,
Scenes from the
Life of St.
Francis,
Altarpiece
panel, 1235
Medieval Religion, Philosophy, and Writing
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Intellectual and mystic
“Master of the Sacred Page”
Sought to harmonize reason and
revelation
Fideism vs. Rationalism
Summa Theologica
Intellectual tradition of Aristotle
Hierarchical, synthetic worldview
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10.21 Andrea di Buonaiuto, The Triumph of St. Thomas Aquinas,
1365 , Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy
Chapter 10: Discussion Questions
Consider the pilgrimage both as a metaphorical and literal journey. What role did the pilgrimage play during the Middle Ages?
What specific qualities are present in Gothic architecture that are not present in the Romanesque? What is the symbolic message inherent in each architectural style?
Explain the “hierarchical and synthetic” natures of the Gothic cathedral and Aquinas’ Summa Theologica. In what ways are they hierarchical? What is being synthesized in these artistic and intellectual examples? In what ways is this a commentary on the patterns of thought during the Middle Ages?
