Chapter Nine:Chapter Nine:

Charlemagne and the Charlemagne and the Rise of Medieval CultureRise of Medieval Culture

Culture and Values, Culture and Values, 66thth. Ed.. Ed.Cunningham and ReichCunningham and Reich

Charlemagne: Charlemagne: Ruler and DiplomatRuler and Diplomat

Charlemagne: Charlemagne: Ruler and DiplomatRuler and Diplomat

Papal Coronation– Leo III, Christmas 800– Revival of Western Roman Empire

Feudal Administration– Legal decrees– Bureaucratic system– Literacy

Foreign Relations– Byzantines, Muslims

Charlemagne: Charlemagne: Economic DevelopmentsEconomic Developments

Stabilized the currency– Denier

Trade FairsJewish merchantsTrade RoutesImport / Export Relationships

– Iron Broadswords

Learning Learning in the Time of Charlemagnein the Time of Charlemagne

“Palace School” at AachenScholar-teachersCurriculum

– Trivium, quadrivium– Mastery of texts

Text reform– Literary revival = Liturgical revival

Literacy as prerequisite for worship

Learning Learning in the Time of Charlemagnein the Time of Charlemagne

Alcuin of York– Sacramentary– Corrected errors in the Vulgate Bible– Developed Frankish school system

Literacy and Women– Dhouda– Illuminated manuscripts

Benedictine MonasticismBenedictine Monasticism

Early monasticism– Varying monastic lifestyles– No predominate rule

The Rule of St. Benedict– “Magna Carta of monasticism”– Poverty, stability, obedience, chastity– Balance of prayer, work, and study– Horarium

Women and the Monastic LifeWomen and the Monastic Life

Scholastica (d. 543)– St. Benedict’s sister

Brigid of Ireland (d. 525)Hilda, abbess of Whitby (614-680)Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

– Writer, painter, illustrator, musician, critic, preacher

– Scivias, Physica, Causae et Curae, Symphonia, Ordo Virtutum

Monasticism Monasticism and Gregorian Chantand Gregorian Chant

Monasteries and Opus Dei– Centrality of liturgy– Lectio divina

Development of sacred music– Gregorian Chant– Ambrosian music– Mozarabic chant– Frankish chant

Monasticism Monasticism and Gregorian Chantand Gregorian Chant

Gregorian chant and Carolingian reformGregorian characteristics

– Monophonic– Melismatic– Acapella– Cantus planus– neums

Liturgical Music Liturgical Music and the Rise of Dramaand the Rise of Drama

The Liturgical Trope– Verbal elaborations of textual content– Added to the long melismas– Aid in memorization– Origin of drama in the West

Quem Quæritis

The Morality Play: The Morality Play: EverymanEveryman

Links liturgical and secular dramaAllegorical, moralistic

– Instructs for moral conversionReligious themes

– Life as a pilgrimage– The inevitability of death (memento mori)– Faith vs. Free Will

Liturgical overtones

Nonliturgical DramaNonliturgical Drama

Hroswitha (d. 1000)– Wrote in Latin – Roman stylistic influences– Poetry, legends, plays

TheophilusThe Conversion of the Harlot Thaïs

– Heavily moralistic to educate and convert

The Legend of Charlemagne:The Legend of Charlemagne:Song of RolandSong of Roland

Charlemagne canonized 1165– Reliquaries and commemoratives

Epic poem– Charlemagne’s battle with the Basques (778)

– Chansons de geste, chansons d’histoireOral tradition, jongleursMilitary and religious ideals

– 11th c. martial virtues and chivalric codeAnti-Muslim bias

The Visual Arts:The Visual Arts:

The Illuminated BookThe Illuminated BookCarolingian manuscripts on parchmentGospel Book of Charlemagne

– Roman, Byzantine, Celtic stylesUtrecht Psalter

– Masterpiece of the Carolingian RenaissanceDagulf Psalter

– Carved ivory book coversCarolingian miniscule

Charlemagne’s Palace at AachenCharlemagne’s Palace at Aachen

Kingdom modeled on ancient RomePalace

– Large royal hall, lavishly decorated– Joined to chapel by a long gallery

Chapel– Church of San Vitale (Ravenna) as model– Altar to the Savior (liturgical services)– Chapel to the Virgin (reliquary)

Charlemagne’s Throne– “…this most wise Solomon.”

The Carolingian MonasteryThe Carolingian Monastery

Monastery as “miniature civic center”– Complexity of function and design– Center of life for rural populations

Saint Gall plan– Basilica style– Designed to house 120 monks, 170 serfs

The Romanesque StyleThe Romanesque Style

Large, “Roman-looking” architectureInfluenced by travel, expansion

– Pilgrimages Heavy stone arches

– Larger, more spacious interiors– Fireproof stone and masonry roofs– Church of Saint Sernin in Toulouse

The Romanesque StyleThe Romanesque Style

Exterior decoration (sculpture)– Lack of interior light– Portal (doorway)– Jamb, capital, trumeau– Tympanum (mandorla, archivolts)

Church of Sainte Madeleine at Vézelay

Chapter Nine: Discussion QuestionsChapter Nine: Discussion Questions

Explain the function of the Song of Roland as both religious and political propaganda during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. What values are extolled within the text that would serve religious and political leaders as they shape their culture? Do we, as a culture, subscribe to these same values today? Why or why not?

Why was Charlemagne so interested in developing literacy? Explain his motives and methods for establishing schools and supporting scholars.

Describe the role of the liturgical trope in the development of drama in the West. For example, how does one begin with the Quem Quæritis trope and arrive at Everyman? Explain the evolution of the art form.