Medieval university

The medieval university, rich in Christian tradition, differs greatly from the free-minded modern university. But what caused this monumental shift in the first place? The answer to this question is rooted in the expansion of academic freedom. Medieval universities, controlled by clergy, ran universities like a religious institution. It was only with the decline of papal power that universities began to embrace academic freedom. The shift can be further understood in three acts, the era Church influence on medieval universities, the formation of a rift between academia and the Church, and a look at the importance of academic freedom in university life. A deep respect for Christian traditions, in both student life and academics, permeated medieval…

The Impact of Early Medieval Universities Development of early medieval universities began during the High Middle Ages, a time of economic prosperity and growth in population for Medieval Europe. Around the late 11th Century the development of important early universities would be caused by sudden urbanization of Europe and early influencers of higher education During the High Middle Ages a rise in economic activity would come from a revival of trade that would occur from…

Medieval Universities In the 13th and 14th centuries amidst the High Middle Ages, the political stability, positive economic conditions, and growth of cities which invigorated the growth and exchange of both goods and ideas lead to the emergence of the first medieval universities in Bologna and Salerno, Italy. The benefits of education resulting from the growth of universities encouraged the revival and growth of thought in the High Middle Ages. The Medieval university testifies to the…

The Medieval Ages has been commonly depicted as a gruesome time in European History earning its popular name of The Dark Ages. The Medieval Ages owns characteristics earning its name of The Dark Ages, but the Medieval Ages brought forth much more. Every era holds its darkness, why is history neglecting the good of the Medieval Ages, the light? This era is underestimated. If the Medieval Ages were so dark with no significance, why would it be such a popular topic to this day? Why study it, why…

From Spoken Words to Written Works Since the dawns of civilizations, people have used literature not only to express their feelings and their imagination but also to narrate what happened on their surroundings. During the medieval period there was a sudden rebirth of literature. Spoken legends orally composed were transformed into written poems and hymns. New writing styles were introduced by those poets and scholars who traveled with the Crusaders – people who went on expeditions for the…

Gottfried, a Professor of History and Director of Medieval Studies at the Rutgers University, explains that people were isolating themselves in their own homes, not allowing contact from anyone outside their household. “Peasants no longer ploughed, merchants closed their shops, and some, if not all, churchmen stopped offering last rites” (Gottfried 78). No one wanted to be outside as no one could escape the plague. Giovanni Boccaccio, an Italian poet and Renaissance humanist who wrote The…

year. Only wealthy people, with servants to heat and carry water from the kitchen stove to the bathtub, could bathe more frequently. The medieval world was an environment in which disease could thrive. There were no garbage collections or sewerage systems and people threw their human waste and rubbish into the streets. As described nina extract from King Edward III 's letter to the mayor of London:"The streets and lanes through which people had to pass were foul with human faeces and the air of…

Medieval Medicine An exploration of medieval medicine and the effects of religion/superstition on medical practices. The medical learning and advancements of antiquity were suspended in their course during the middle ages (c 500 - 1500 C.E.). Knowledge of the Greco-Roman era was set aside as an intensely religious age dawned in Western Europe. As Christianity grew to prominence, disease began to be viewed as a punishment from God, caused by personal sin rather than an objective occurrence.…

be seen as the levels of hierarchy in Medieval Europe that revolved around land, labor, and protection. Starting in the 9th century, Feudalism created a prosperous society full of great cultural achievements. Although the feudal system’s decline is still controversial amongst historians, most believe that the Feudal system in Europe had completely dissolved by the the year 1500 CE The collapse of the feudal system was caused by the changes European society due to structural changes in…

Medieval Medicine: Magical & Irrational Daniella Smithers BA Hons Bangor University (History/Archaeology/ Heritage) The Medieval period was dangerous and religious. This combination could mean life or death during the middle ages. Europe was dominated by the Christian faith, which oversaw and controlled the public. These Christian beliefs over ruled a lot of scientific thought and prevented discoveries. Throughout this period diseases such as the Black Death, otherwise known as the Bubonic…