HIST 223 Medieval Europe: History Illuminated

Historical artifacts from the Middle Ages. Vivid, colorful, and illuminating the past. Here we analyze objects, artifacts, monuments, relics, and material culture as a response to the numerous myths that circulate 'fake news' about the Middle Ages--from their belief in the flat earth (fake!) to the female lock-n-key chastity belts (fake!). In addition, this site will highlight medieval films in all their attempted history (for better or worse). Let's get medieval.

Galata Tower and the Chain of the Golden Horn

The great city of Constantinople (now Istanbul) spans two continents, Europe and Asia, and has portions on both sides of the Bosporus Strait. This made the city a prime trade route, with one of the natural harbors in the city being the Golden Horn. This harbor was one of the busiest trade hubs in the city, which made it a prime target for invaders. In order to defend the Golden Horn and the city from naval assault the Byzantines created a great iron chain that stretched across the harbor from one part of the European coast to the Galata Tower along the north side of the harbor. This chain would prevent enemy ships from entering the harbor.

The Golden Horn as it is today

Unfortunately for the Byzantines, multiple invaders found ways around the chain and were able to enter the harbor. The two most notable occasions took place in 1204 and 1453. In 1204 Venetian ships destroyed the chain and were able to sack the city during the 4th Crusade. In 1453 Sultan Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire took his ships out of the Bosporus and used greased logs to transport them across Galata after failing to break the chain, which would weaken the city's defenses.

A segment of the chain that stretched across the Golden Horn during the siege of Constantinople, located in the Istanbul Naval Museum in The Conquest of Istanbul and Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror Hall exhibit

While it may not have always been effective, the great chain that once spanned the Golden Horn was an impressive defensive piece and helped secure Byzantine trade and the city of Constantinople for centuries, and is a part of the city's rich (and bloody) history.

The new Galata Tower, which was rebuilt by the Genoese after the original tower had been destroyed by looting crusaders in the 4th crusades

http://www.istanbultrails.com/2009/01/the-golden-horn-separates-the-european-shore-of-istanbul-into-two/

http://www.greatistanbul.com/conquest.html

http://www.denizmuzeleri.tsk.tr/en/idmk/sayfalar2.asp?KID=613&SID=267

http://www.greatistanbul.com/golden_horn.html

Goodwin, Jason. "4. The Siege." In Lords of the Horizons: A Aistory of the Ottoman Empire, 37. 1st ed. New York, New York: H. Holt, 1999.

Edward III's Tomb

Edward III, son of Edward II and Isabella of France, was born on November 13, 1312. He became the King of England at the age of fourteen, in January of 1327. During his reign, he transformed England into a strong military power in Europe. He married Philippa of Hainault, with whom he had thirteen children. Around 1340, Edward declared himself the rightful ruler of France, thus starting the Hundred Years War. Also during his reign, the bubonic plague swept across England, killing three of his own children. Edward III was preceded in death by those children, his wife Philippa in 1369, and his heir, Edward the Black Prince in June of 1376. Edward III then dies on June 21, 1377 of a stroke at Sheen Palace, leaving his throne to his ten-year-old grandson, King Richard II, son of Edward the Black Prince.

Edward III's funeral was held in the Abbey on July 5th. He was laid to rest in St. Edward the Confessor's chapel, near his queen. His wooden effigy is preserved in the Abbey collection, along with the plaster face mask, thought to be modeled on a death mask. One side of this face mask is distorted, showing the effects of the stroke that ended his life. On top of his tomb, he is depicted with long hair and a beard. He is wearing coronation robes and holds two handles of scepters. His tomb is made out of Purbeck marble. Around the tomb are six remaining effigies of his children, originally twelve. On the other side of the tomb are four large shields with the cross of St. George and the arms of France and England.

Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/edward_iii_king.shtml

http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/royals/edward-iii

The Papal Palace in Avignon

During the 14^th century Avignon was the center of the papacy. The Palais des Papes, or the Popes Palace was grim looking palace that was decorated by Simone Martini and Matteo Givanetti. The palace was a great illustration of gothic architecture that helped establish a leading role of Avignon in Western Christian influence.

4 Angles inside Saint-Martial Chapel

The construction of the Palace started in 1335 and was completed roughly twenty years later, passing through the reign of John XXII, Benedict XII, and Clement VI. The pope’s palace is the largest gothic palace in Europe and has the equivalent square footage of four gothic cathedrals.

Construction of the Palace was started during the Reign of Benedict XII. Benedict chose the architect Pierre Poisson to oversee the project. The foundation of the place is anchored on bedrock and resembles the layout of Pope John XXII’s early palace. The walls of the tower rose well over the city and was placed in the center of the apartments to protect the pope. During Benedict’s papacy the palace was richly decorated with furnishings, wall hangings and mural paintings.

Saint Jean Chapel

Clement VI completed a new tower at the beginning of his papacy. This tower included Kitchen and a wardrobe to be attach to the Papal tower. Clement assigned architect Jean de loures to the project, who had demolished neighborhoods in order to complete the construction. During the project Gothic architecture began to be mixed into the palace. The work invited of painters like Matteo Giovannetti to help decorate the Palace. Most the buildings were completed by the death of Clement, though there were further developments after his death when Pope Innocent built more towers and a gallery, and Pope Urban V added a garden. The Palace became the residence of the Legates after the Great schism, and they stayed there until the French Revolution when it became barracks.

For more information on this magnificent palace visit http://www.palais-des-papes.com/en

Sources:

http://www.palais-des-papes.com/en/content/biggest-gothic-palace-world

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/228

Pictures:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Chambre_du_cerf_-_le_fr%C3%A8re_du_pape_%C3%A0_la_chasse.jpg/800px-Chambre_du_cerf_-_le_fr%C3%A8re_du_pape_%C3%A0_la_chasse.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Les_douze_tours_du_Palais_des_papes_sur_fa%C3%A7ades_Viollet-le-duc.jpg/1920px-Les_douze_tours_du_Palais_des_papes_sur_fa%C3%A7ades_Viollet-le-duc.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plafond_chapelle_Saint_Jean_par_JM_Rosier.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/4_anges_-_Cort%C3%A8ge_fun%C3%A8bre_de_saint_Martial_-_registre_m%C3%A9dian.JPG/1024px-4_anges_-_Cort%C3%A8ge_fun%C3%A8bre_de_saint_Martial_-_registre_m%C3%A9dian.JPG

Mass Producing Information in the Middle Ages

During most of the Middle Ages information could not widely be copied. Most books were copied by monks, who spent countless hours copying the precious knowledge of the past. This changed in the fifteenth century when Gutenberg created the printing press, which is regarded by many to be the most important invention in human history. Adapted from Chinese woodblock printing the pages were made by moving around different blocks to create a mirror image of the desired page. Though the process was still quite time consuming, multiple copies could be made quickly and easily once the blocks were set.

An Early Printing Press

Soon the press was spread all over Europe, making information more widely available, and dramatically cutting down on the cost of books. By the sixteenth century the printing press had spread to more than two thousand cities. That is not to say that books were cheap, as an original Gutenberg Bible cost three year's worth of an average clerk's wage. Many peasants who lacked education would not have been able to read anyways, therefore it is still mostly the nobility and clergy who would have likely owned and read books. It did, however provide greater opportunities for education and learning. Today around 50 of the original 200 Gutenberg bibles still survive.

One of the original Gutenberg Bibles

Sources:
http://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/mcdonald/incunabula/gutenberg/
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/press.html

Domrémy la Pucelle - The House of Joan of Arc & Church of Saint-Remy

Joan of Arc was born around 1412 in a small village of Domremry in the northeastern part of France. Her parents were peasants who owned about fifty acres around the village of Domremry. Her father was one of the leaders of the village and helped collect taxes and watch over the village. Joan never went far from home taking care of animals and became a skilled at sewing and spinning. Joan stayed in the village until she was about sixteen and then left on a quest to save France.

The house indicated that Joan of arc and her family might not have been as poor as history perceives them to be. The statue of Joan kneeling in armor that lies above the front door is not original to the house, being installed in 1839. The house had four rooms and loft, all covered by a shed roof.

Located near the house she was born is the The Parish Church of Saint-Remy. Though Joan was not taught to read or write, but was encouraged by her mother to develop a deep love for the catholic faith. Joan was baptized in the church of Saint-Remy and spent much time praying there. This is the church where Joan is said to have her first vision.