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Medieval Female Mystics, 2007.
An analysis of medieval female mystics and their impact on Christianity.
3,261 words (approx. 13.0 pages), 13 sources, APA, AU$ 135.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses female mysticism and visionary women in the Middle Ages. The paper begins by discussing how Christianity views women in general and then focuses on Mechtild of Magdeburg and the Helfta Community and the impact that they had on Christianity. The paper ends by describing medieval monasteries and their mystics.
Table of Contents:
The Feminine Mystique of the Middle Ages
Mechtild of Magdeburg and the Helfta Community
Love as the Power of the Mystic
The Medieval Monasteries and Their Mystics
From the Paper
"The female visionaries and mystics from these monasteries expressed a slightly different point of view than their male counterparts. Although they kept the stress placed on physical suffering and mortification, their message was less severe and carrying more love and more emotional involvement in the world. The message of love was stressed particularly by the community of women from Helfta, a family monastery where enlighten minds allowed the rigorous St. Gertrude and the tormented Mechtild as well to live and to write about their experience of ecstasy."
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Outsiders of the Medieval Imagination, 2001.
A discussion of Medieval spirituality and imagination that guided Medieval people's belief system and differentiated between conformer and non-conformer.
5,055 words (approx. 20.2 pages), 7 sources, AU$ 184.95
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Abstract
A look at the Medieval imagination. The author discusses the idea of spirituality of the Medieval people that considered outsiders as non-conformists, or people that were viewed as sub-human (people with abnormalities etc.) and used the imagination to differentiate between the real and the spiritual world.
From the Paper
"The idea of an outsider is present in all medieval works, this is a society of conformists and those non-conformists were all looked upon as outsiders; but what about the idea of outsiders that come not from the community but from another invisible world altogether. The idea of monsters have existed from ancient times, and even to the modern day with bogey men, but in the middle ages we find a plethora of monsters of all shapes and sizes. One need only look in the elaborately illuminated bestiaries of the medieval period to discover creatures from every realm of the imagination, from the saintly unicorn to the demonic dragon. These creatures, widely influenced by pagan mythology but with their own Christian twists, served an important part of the concept of the medieval persons concept of otherness. If the limit of otherness was not defined by only the human spectrum there was no limit to the amount of difference that a medieval person could differentiate between themselves and those seen as sub-human, such as Jews, heretics, and lepers."
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Medieval Societies, 2005.
This paper discusses some works of medieval literature that focus on medieval warrior societies.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 91.95
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Abstract
This paper studies Chretien De Troyes "Arthurian Romances", Seamus Heaney's "Beowulf" and other medieval literature that focus on medieval warrior societies, particularly concepts of heroism, ethics and spirituality as illustrated in the works.
From the Paper
"Medieval societies during the era of Beowulf and the Arthurian Romances were undergoing transformation from pagan illiterate societieswhere codes of conduct governed social relations and together with reason brought happiness. The warrior societies described in Chretien de Troyes' "Arthurian Romances" and Seamus Heaney's "Beowulf" along with other literature of the medieval era, show the ideals of reason and code of conduct as the foundation of human happiness. The character of Beowulf clearly expresses this ideal."
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Italian Cities in Medieval Europe, 2002.
This paper examines why Italian cities in medieval times developed at a faster rate than other European cities, becoming the richest in medieval Europe, possibly the world.
1,354 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 8 sources, APA, AU$ 65.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the reasons behind the huge development of medieval Italian cities in relation to the rest of Europe. These factors include: Their superior organization, military history, geographical advantages in terms of trade and commerce and the unique form of government dividing the country into city states.
From the Paper
"Medieval times saw an expansion in city life all across Europe, but nowhere more so than in Italy. As early as the tenth century, Italian towns, though still inferior to those in the East, had become far larger than those in other Catholic European countries. From 1100-1250, the population of many Italian cities grew considerably, rising from around 5,000-6,000 people to between 30,000-40,000. This was because of a number of factors, most notably the commercial revolution and explosion of trade, which Italy was in a unique position to exploit, due, among other things, to her history and geographical location."
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"Medieval Women" by Eileen Power, 2001.
This paper reviews the book, "Medieval Women" by Eileen Power, which pieces together the often-fragmented histories of medieval women using a variety of primary sources.
750 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 1 source, AU$ 38.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, according to Eileen Power in ?Medieval Women?, early social notions regarding the nature of women and their role in society were created by the two most powerful classes of the age, the Church and the aristocracy, and only later were modified slightly by the urban middle class, which rose to prominence in the later Middle Ages. The author points out that, in the area of home and marriage, Power uses letters, wills, and household inventories to support her depiction of women. The paper relates that, because the proportion of women to men was greater within the noble ranks, many women were unable to wed; therefore, for them, monasticism was the only alternative to marriage.
From the Paper
"A considerable portion of the book is spent discussing various facets of the medieval lady?s life and when the bourgeois and peasants are discussed she often presents them in contrast to the noble woman. Many accounts of medieval women nobility often present only one view of their experience, depicting either a fanciful and luxurious life or the bleakness of being regarded as chattel. Fortunately Power draws from the writings of Christine De Pisan, one of the rare women of the Middle Ages to earn a living solely through her writing, to address the way in which the romanticized chivalry of the age overshadows the reality of their existence."
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?Mystics of the Church?, 2004.
Analyzes the views of Christian mystic, Evelyn Underhill, through her work, "Mystics of the Church".
1,419 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 68.95
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Abstract
Evelyn Underhill was a prolific writer of some thirty-nine published books and more than three hundred and fifty articles and reviews, who wrote about mysticism in her early years and about the spiritual life of ordinary people in her latter years. This paper discusses her 1925 book, "Mystics of the Church", in which she reveals the spiritual history of those mystical saints whom she considered of great importance and influence, especially John of the Cross.
From the Paper
"It is said that Underhill did not like the growing practice of many devout Christians who shortened their prayer time in order to give more time and energy to do social services, declaring that such work was indeed prayer (Durkin pp). Just as the mystics and saints of the past, Underhill insisted that prayer must precede work, that one must take time for communion with God, first: by withdrawing from activity, ?seek solitude, be silent, rest in his presence, listen to God speaking to you, and then praise him for his goodnes? (Durkin pp). All mystics have followed this path to God, through prayer and meditation."
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Medieval Towns: Crafts and Guilds, 2005.
A review of an article by Gervase Rosser about the economic and work culture dynamics of medieval communities.
2,373 words (approx. 9.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, AU$ 104.95
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Abstract
This paper reviews Rosser's article about how medieval crafts and guilds functioned in a society in medieval England. The paper also talks about Rosser's effort to rebut many of the generalizations, myths, and factually incorrect views that are currently or previously held by scholars and historians of the medieval era.
The Emergence of Guilds and Their Impact on Workers and the Economy
The Rise of the Guilds in Social Power and Community Prominence
Were Guilds the Historical Framework for the Genesis and Evolution of Formal Organizations?
The Decline of the Crafts and Guilds
Weird Things about Medieval English Life and Times
Biographical Sketch of Gervase Rosser
From the Paper
"Rosser goes to enormous lengths to make clear why he is explaining the misconceptions and misunderstandings with reference to how life in the working world of Medieval England really took place. Rosser is a writer of obvious skill when it comes to deep scholarly thinking; he is a writer who more often than not takes the intellectual high road. But Rosser also apparently realizes that the reader may not be able to climb every step of the way with him on his scholarly ascent, so he takes brief moments to define his terms in more lay-friendly language."
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Medieval Philosophy, 2002.
This paper discusses Scholasticism and medieval culture.
1,170 words (approx. 4.7 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 58.95
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Abstract
This paper examines 11th and 12th century Scholasticism and the role it played in medieval culture. The author focuses on understanding scholasticism, scholasticism influences. Discusses the beginnings of scholasticism, the medieval cosmology, question of the universal, the "Book of Sentences", the translation of the work of Aristotle, and major philosophers of the medieval period.
From the Paper
"In the Middle Ages, there was a philosophy and theology of Western Christendom known scholasticism (scholasticism, 1993). Almost any accomplished philosopher at this time was also a theologian. This was evident in the way they included theological writings in many of their philosophies. Although the Middle Ages had several scholastic philosophies, the basis of ?all scholastic thought was the conjunction of faith and reason (scholasticism, 1993).? The greatest philosophers were able to rationalize and understand faith by the use of reason. Through this reasoning, philosophies not related to theology were developed and taught by these ?medieval thinkers (scholasticism, 1993).?"
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Medieval Weapons, 2002.
A discussion of medieval weaponry during the period of approximately 480-1487 A.D.
1,876 words (approx. 7.5 pages), 7 sources, MLA, AU$ 87.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the most common types of weapons used in combat by medieval fighters from 480-1487 A.D. It evaluates what they were made of, their uses, how deadly they were in combat as well as different tactics used in battle at the time. Medieval weapons served two important purposes. Some of them, such as armor and shields, existed to protect the wearer, others existed solely to do bodily harm and were extremely deadly. Razor sharp swords could slice a man in halfor sever a limb whereas arrows could kill, mutilate or set wooden buildings and thatched roofs on fire in an instant. Lances could kill a man, or remove him from his horse for the foot soldiers to deal with. Siege weapons could lay utter waste to a town ? decimating the people within. Medieval weapons were created to cause havoc and they did. They were early weapons of destruction and they served their purpose well.
From the Paper
"The hauberk was central to the armour a knight wore. It was usually knee length, and slit on the front and back to allow the rider to sit on a horse. It would be worn over a padded undergarment. This mailshirt weighed about 25 pounds. There was also a hood made of similar material worn underneath the mail helmet. Later in the twelfth century, a type of mail mitten was developed to protect the hands, and a long "surcoat" or "coat armour" was added over the mailshirt for additional protection, especially from the hot sun. Chausses, or mail leggings were also added, and developments in the thirteenth century led to the "great helm" a large helmet with a flat top protecting the head and some of the neck."
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"Medieval Stereotypes and Modern Antisemitism", 2005.
A review of the book "Medieval Stereotypes and Modern Antisemitism" by Robert Chazan.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 1 source, AU$ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how in "Medieval Stereotypes and Modern Antisemitism", Robert Chazan addresses the complexities of modern antisemitism within a broader historical context. It looks at how he notes in his introduction, that critical analyses of antisemitism and anti Judaism in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries confidently rooted these prejudices within the complex political and religious relations of medieval Christian Europe. However the Nazi Holocaust of the twentieth century compelled a radical revision of these earlier assumptions with many commentators arguing that modern antisemitism must be dissociated from the anti Judaism of medieval Europe.
From the Paper
"In Medieval Stereotypes and Modern Antisemitism Robert Chazan addresses the complexities of modern antisemitism within a broader historical context. As he notes in his introduction, critical analyses of antisemitism and anti-Judaism in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries had confidently rooted these prejudices within the complex political and religious relations of medieval Christian Europe. However, the Nazi Holocaust of the twentieth century compelled a radical revision of these earlier assumptions, with many commentators arguing that modern antisemitism must be dissociated from the anti-Judaism of medieval Europe (Chazan ix-x). "
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Medieval Romantic Literature, 2004.
An exploration of the element of the medieval in Keats, Tennyson, Carlyle and Ruskin.
3,653 words (approx. 14.6 pages), 10 sources, MLA, AU$ 146.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the literary works of Keats, Tennyson, Carlyle and Ruskin, focusing on the medieval element in their works. The paper analyzes how John Keats and Alfred Tennyson captured the essence of the medieval in their work, returning to a time that was simpler but just as exotic. The paper presents Thomas Carlyle and John Ruskin, who also refer to medieval aspects of society to enhance and emphasize their messages about society. The paper contends that these writers build on themes that are familiar to us, explaining that their references allow us to make connections that might otherwise be lost in the barrage of descriptions.
From the Paper
"The notion of the medieval romance has inspired literature for generations. The magic of the Arthurian romance can be traced to Celtic origins, which adds to it appeal when we look at it through the prism of post-medieval literature. The revival of the medieval romance can be viewed as an opposition against modern and intellectual movement that became vogue in modern Europe. These romances often emphasized the human emotions rather than the human intellect and a return to more classical traditions. Poets and writers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries did not want to feel the oppression from the constraints of their time. Instead, they looked beyond the intellectual to a more mystical and emotional realm. They wanted to achieve another level in their writing--one that allowed them to stretch their imaginations and their knowledge. The medieval aspects that we find in literature from this era accentuates a different type of thinking and writing that desired to be different yet familiar."
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Medieval Art and Architecture, 2004.
An analysis of medieval art and architecture.
1,526 words (approx. 6.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, AU$ 73.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the notion that architects and artists working in medieval Europe borrowed ideas from all the cultures surrounding the Mediterranean or coming across the central European mountain ranges. The paper presents examples of this cross-culturalism, with a focus on Islam being the most influential of the cultural donors to medieval art and architecture. The paper contends that, although these examples do not definitively trace any single aspect of Islam into Western ecclesiastical art, they do serve as an indication that it is impossible to consider any medieval art, no matter how isolated we think Europe of the Middle Ages must have been, without considering the very substantial trade, not to mention wars and incursions, that made the traditions of one culture available to the others.
From the Paper
"In addition, the precursors of Islamic art and architecture?elements that continued to inform their vision throughout their expansion into Spain and later, via their export to ?corporate? Europe by returning Crusaders?cannot be surgically removed from any consideration of so-called Islamic influences on medieval European art and architecture. Rather, they must be viewed as a substrate that upheld the Islamic vision by virtue of continuous adherence in the society in which Islam was born, and therefore as an unbroken line into the monastic traditions of medieval Europe. It was, moreover, the monastic tradition that formed the bedrock on which all other medieval art and architecture achievements were based; the monasteries were the repositories, after all, of the learning that would otherwise have been lost."
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Women in Medieval Europe, 2004.
A look at the difficulties of finding reliable historical information about the lives of women in medieval Europe.
1,584 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 2 sources, MLA, AU$ 74.95
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Abstract
A discussion of the lack of source material available when exploring the lives of women in medieval Europe. It focuses on the book by Emilie Amt, "Women?s Lives in Medieval Europe". It explains that most of the material available was written from a male perspective and that a true history of these women's lives is hard to come by.
From the Paper
"Out of necessity, history or an ?aggregate of past events,? must be built primarily on written materials. Oral histories and storytelling can provide input on a specific period of time. Yet, one can only assume that that the facts are altered through the generations from one tale relating to another. Of course, no one can assume that everything or even almost everything that is written is true. Just look at the variety of materials on the Internet to clarify that! However, some written materials are accurate, or nearly so, and give historians a place to start."
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Hunting in Medieval Aristocracy, 2001.
An in-depth look at the meaning and role that hunting played in the Medieval society.
2,110 words (approx. 8.4 pages), 4 sources, AU$ 96.95
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Abstract
A look at the important role that hunting played for the Medieval society. The author discusses the history and origins of hunting and looks at the meaning that hunting held for the Medieval aristocrat as a sign of power wealth and nobility, as a reflection of their combat prowess and as a way to prove themselves before their fellow men.
From the Paper
"When one considers the qualities that were necessary for the medieval aristocracy, hunting is the most important of these. The hunt was a way for the aristocrat to not only enjoy himself but also to prove his manhood and hone his combat prowess. The hunt become a more and more important factor of the life of the aristocrat until you have the king, like William Rufus, who devotes his entire life to hunting at the expense of the kingdom. Hunting originally began as a simple means to procure food, but the pomp and circumstance that grew around it, as is still present today with the fox hunts, formalised it into a ritual and a form of entertainment. As the nobility became more and more powerful and rich they had fewer and fewer responsibilities. This becomes evident in England, whenever a period of peace comes, the nobility, bored with their lack of action, turn to hunting as a means of escape and enjoyment, much as one does today with televised sporting events."
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Medieval Families, 2002.
A compare and contrast analysis of the role of the family in Medieval England and in today's society.
1,245 words (approx. 5.0 pages), 3 sources, APA, AU$ 61.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how the way the family interacted and worked as a collective unit towards a common goal has barely changed since the early signs of organized living and caring for kin. The Medieval families dealt with many different situations, but the backbone of their life still remains the same today. It examines how the basic peasant family lived and interacted, revolved around their environment and the standards of living at the time, as well as family interaction, neighborhoods and rivalries which owed to medieval culture after the dissolution of the caste system and serfs/serfdom. It concludes that the average nuclear family unit has kept the same basic principles and practices through the ages.
Times have changed with technology and several variables or factors may have changed slightly, but it is still parallel. Families have and always will be centered around a home, raising of children by parents to prepare them for the future and each generation?s effort to improve the family status one notch higher than that of their parents?.
From the Paper
"The survival of a family is largely dependent on being able to supply the basic needs (food, clothing, shelter). Although the way that these needs are supplied has changed from direct (farms, home craft) to indirect (monetary salary) sources; the concept of material environment and importance of this supply has remained the same.
?A commonplace in describing peasants is that they are bound to the ground or chained to the soil, so that is appropriate to begin a discussion of peasant families by looking at their material environment.? In the middle ages, groups of families formed villages out of their houses and fields, each village had a center of commerce and merchants, surrounded by houses and fields. Similarly today, groups of families settle around urban centers and live in surrounding suburbs."
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Medieval Birth Control, 2002.
A look at methods of birth control and the social, cultural, judicial, scientific, and religious views towards it, in both medieval Islamic and Christian societies.
3,081 words (approx. 12.3 pages), 16 sources, APA, AU$ 130.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the use of birth control in Islamic and Christian regions during medieval times, its prevalence and acceptance in Islamic regions versus Christian regions, and the social and cultural implications surrounding it. Through an analysis of the reasoning of medieval Islamic jurists regarding contraception in contrast with the writings of St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, it shows how Islam permitted birth control, and Christianity did not. It looks at how Islamic rulings were based primarily on reason and logic and were rooted in a strong understanding of the principles of biology, not religious fervor. In contrast, it shows how, tragically, countless women died in Europe because Church leaders denounced contraception and kept from the public contraceptive means.
From the Paper
"Knowledge of the biology of reproduction is one important factor affecting attitudes on birth control and abortion. Another is the nature of human life, for example, when does the fetus have a soul? The Islamic argument for the permission of contraception is a fascinating case where biological and scientific knowledge directly influenced ethical attitudes. Medieval Arabic literature, such as treatises on medicine, materia medica, and popular literature treated both contraception and abortion as two aspects of birth control. They recognized the difference between the two, and could distinguish between preparations that would work only as a contraceptive, as an abortifacient, or would work for both purposes."
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