The Medieval Era 476 C. E. – 1401 C.E.
Medieval Era Time of nobility, church and the commoners (peasants, serfs and freemen). The Medieval life was dominated by the feudal system in which there were three classes after the king. The first class was the clergy Responsible for education, health care a for church stuff Most educated class in middle ages The second class were the nobles Owned land and castles Part of the King’s military (knights) Law enforcement The third class were the serfs Property of king, nobles or church Their land was only rented and belonged to their owners No rights and no any personal freedom
Medieval Era Medieval literally means: “between the ages” In history this time period is called the “ Middle Ages”, and considered an era of darkness between two periods of light, classical antiquity and the Renaissance. The Medieval Era took place in Europe.
Medieval Era: The beginning The Medieval era began with the fall of the Roman Empire. Rome ruled most of the Mediterranean and large sections of Europe, and South Asia. The Roman Empire failed for many reasons Rome became too large to govern Roman men did not want to serve in the army anymore because: Small salary Long periods of time away from their families and farms Civil War broke out Trade decreased Taxes increased
Medieval Era: Dangerous time Infant mortality was high Life expectancy was to 30 years of age Several diseases: Dysentery (severe diarrhea) Typhus (like the flu, with a rash, and possible sores on the body) Smallpox (flu like symptoms at first; flat, red spots appear all over the body) Black plague
Medieval Era: Rise of Christianity Christianity acted as a binding force for European nations following the fall of Rome. Rise of the Catholic Church. After 1000 CE, the church became increasingly powerful. The Catholic church became the new governing law in many factions: The Catholic church went to great lengths to assert the authority superior to that of kings and emperors. Moral authority to determine what was heresy Had the right to excommunicate worshippers from the Catholic Church Had the right to issue calls for holy wars (crusades). Goal was to join all of Europe into a Single, Christian Community. The attempt as this is known as Christendom.
Medieval Era: Plainchant Plainchant: monophonic music of the Medieval Christian Church Monophonic: a single line of music without accompaniment Chants: made up of words spoken rhythmically Also known as Gregorian Chant, after the creator, Pope Gregory I. Example: Vespers for Trinity Sunday: Antiphon Laus Deo Patri and Psalm
Medieval Era: Plainchant The church saw great power in adding music to Mass. Music would help worshippers learn and remember what was begin taught at Mass. This was important, since most people did not know how to read. “To chant well is to pray twice.” Saint Augustine. It is also noted in The New Testament, that singing in church is proper and encouraged. (Colossians 3:16). However, church leaders had mixed feeling about adding music to Mass. Some believed, the music could distract listeners from the message of the text.
Medieval Era: The Elements of Plainchant Pure melody No harmony, accompaniment, or added voices No instruments Everyone sang the same part Monophonic in texture (a single line) Sung a cappella Sung in Latin Non-metric – no time signature/meter Composed in modes, or modal – displacement of a major scale
Medieval Era: Hildegard von Bingen Hildegard von Bingen Hildegard von Bingen German Nun know for her visions and prophecies Around 1140, Hildegard wrote about her visions as poems, and later set them to music Mostly written in syllabic hymn and melismatic solos succession (number) of pitches sun on one syllable
Medieval Era: Hildegard von Bingen Ordo Virtutum (“Order of the Virtues”) Ordo Virtutum Allegorical morality play The play is about the struggle for a human soul, between the virtues and the devil.
Medieval Era: String instruments
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