Between the 14th and 15th centuries: Europe's Late Middle Ages
Europe's late middle ages witnessed significant historical events. The phase, which came after the high medieval period, marked the beginning of the early modern age. Europe underwent a number of changes and advancements during this period in the military, agriculture, government, and economics. The nation was also hit by a series of famines, including one with extreme scarcity, which caused the population to drop to almost half of what it had been. With European nations experiencing a severe peasant revolt led by Jacquerie and the Peasants' Revolt, social unrest and widespread warfare were also prevalent. (Morrison 55-70). It was the point at which the western Schism briefly shattered the Catholic Church's union. However, despite the crisis during the phase, significant progress in art, science, economic, and political sectors were experienced. However, the arrival of the Black Death, reformation of Protestants and prohibition of religious plays resulted at the end of the period.
How the Medieval Period Began
The middle ages started during the 14th century, and it was divided into three categories of western history; early, high and late middle ages. The period began with the fall of Western Roman Empire and combined into the rebirth and age of discovery (Klaassen 2-10). The population declined; there was counter-urbanization, subjugation, movement of individuals and large-scale passage of people, including the Germanic people. Nevertheless, new territories were formed; North Africa and the Middle East under the rule of Umayyad caliphate, which was an Islamic empire. Though there were considerable alterations in the society and political makeup, the discontinuity with traditional antiquity was not complete. The still sizeable Byzantine Empire continued in the east and remained a significant power.
During the High Middle Ages
During the high middle ages, the populace of Europe swelled considerably as technological and farming modernization allowed commerce to flourish. Similarly, a blend of legal and military norms in medieval Europe practiced economic activities that begun from classical villa system- the organization of laborer into settlements that owned rent and work services to the nobles and was gradually substituted by the advent of a currency-founded-market economy and new methods of agrarian agreements.
Progress in the Military Field
One of the keys progresses in the military field during the late middle era was the increased usage of infantry and well-lit cavalry. The English also used longbowmen, but other nations were incapable to craft similar armies with the same accomplishment. Armory continued to evolve, prompted by the growing power of crossbow and plate armor created to guard fighters against crossbows as precisely as the handheld weaponries. Polearms attained new reputation with the development of the Flemish and Swiss infantry, equipped with pikes and other lengthy spears.
Advancements in Agriculture
In agriculture, the fueled usage of ewes with long-fibred fur allowed a stricter thread to be twisted. The rotating wheel substituted early distaff for spinning wool, thus, increasing production. The employment of button as a shutting for garments affected everyday life significantly as it was a result of a less technological modification. Windmills were improved with the formation of the tower mill, permitting the upper portion of the pump to be whirled round to face the way from which the airstream was blowing. The blast heater emerged around 1350 AD in Sweden, increasing the amount of iron manufactured and enhancing its worth. The earliest patent law in 1447 in Venice safeguarded the entitlements of inventors to their discovery.
Medieval Period and Its Intellectual Development
Years after the tumble of the Roman Empire, there came a period of modification. Medieval civilizations were more concentrated on territory building and developing knowledge. Philosophers such as Charlemagne of Frankish Kingdom founded scholastic customs. Progressions in philosophy and technical improvements were experienced during the period. Alcuin of York, who was a religious leader, initiated a program of learning art and skill. Similarly, mathematics, geometry, and astrophysics were introduced (Grant 20-29). The philosopher instructed the translation of many Latin textbooks into English, which was used in disseminating information to learners. His death led to the breakup of the domain.
The Late Middle Ages: Transition to the Modern Era
The late middle age was described as a change from the medieval world to the modern one. Thus, it embraced the changes of the previous era. Evolution of the Greek and Roman molded and improved the European character. Collaboration between the English culture with other principles in Eurasia and Mediterranean region was established during this period (DeVun 234-267). In the same context, many societal and political designs and organizations were formed. Social identities and comprehensible governmental boundaries arose in British Isle. Chain of transformations in economy, society and political life promoted new developments in religion, scholarship, literature, and other arts, which fashioned the European culture to the present days.
Territorial Growth and Economic Changes
Territorial growth and inventions in agriculture led to the expansion of cities. Additionally, trade brought instant transformation in the economy during this era. Changes in the accessibility of materials and population dissemination reformed the social and political association, given that they created a new and more self-governing class.
The End of the Late Middle Age
The end of the late middle age in the 16th century was caused by some factors, including flagging of the power possessed by the Catholic Church, reorganization of Protestants and the start of religious plays. Prohibition of spiritual theaters in 1548 demolished the international drama, forcing each state to nurture its play. Besides, the arrival of Black Death impacted negatively on the population and economy of Europe. Precisely, it led to a considerable decrease in population, leading to a decline in the manufacturing and utilization of materials (Morrison 275-300). The endemic triggered the economic failure, resulting in the greatest ever recession in history. People of the time had no information about the technical enlightenment regarding the epidemic and settled on divine cause and curses. Some assumed that the world was approaching the end and joined divisions such as flagellant, and religious fanatics who journeyed the countryside, whipping themselves with lashes as a way of doing penance.
Conclusion
The middle periods were among the middle stone ages, a time when significant transformations were experienced in ancient Europe. The era resulted in the Renaissance, described as the transition between the late, middle, and modern ages. During the stage, Europe recorded a series of agricultural and technological modernization, which facilitated the establishment of a stable army. Advancements in education and learning shaped and equipped people with knowledge. Arithmetic and astrophysics were introduced in education systems. Many social and political identities were formed, leading to economic, religious, and societal growth. The age also felt the arrival and effects of Black Death, which claimed almost half of the population. In this regard, the epidemic was one of the factors that contributed to the end of this period. Some people even thought the world had come to an end.
Work Cited
Canning, Joseph. Ideas of Power in the Late Middle Ages, 1296-1417. London: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print
DeVun, Leah. Prophecy, Alchemy, and the End of Time: John of Rupecissa in the Late Middle Ages. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013. Print.
Grant, Edward. The Nature of Natural Philosophy in the Late Middle Ages (Studies in Philosophy and the History of Philosophy, Volume 52). London: CUA Press, 2017. Print.
Klaassen, Frank. The Transformations of Magic: Illicit Learned Magic in the Later Middle Ages and Renaissance. London: Penn State Press, 2013.
