Medieval European Dynasties and the 12th-Century Renaissance
Key Dynasties of the Middle Ages
Norman Dynasty: Founded in 911 when a Norwegian king received Normandy from France. As a result of the Conquest of England in 1066, the dynasty ruled England. The last king died without a direct descendant.
Plantagenet Dynasty (also known as “Angevin” in the first generation): Founded in Anjou in the 10th century. They ruled England for 300 years (1154-1485).
Capetian Dynasty: Frankish dynasty that ruled from 987 to 1328. They ruled over France and began to form the French nation.
Valois Dynasty: Successor dynasty of the Capetians. Ruled from 1328 to 1589. Continued unifying France and centralizing power.
Hohenstaufen Dynasty: German dynasty that ruled the Holy Roman Empire from 1138 to 1208, and then from 1212 to 1254.
Angevin Dynasty (in Naples, etc.): After a rebellion in Sicily in 1282, Charles I of Anjou (Angevin) was forced to retreat to Naples, forming the Kingdom of Naples. Two Angevin lines contested the throne. They lost it in 1435 to Aragon.
Burgundy Dynasty: Dynasty descended from the Capetians that ruled the Duchy of Burgundy from 1032 to 1361.
The High Middle Ages (c. 1000-1300)
The Renaissance of the 12th Century
What? Where? Why?
A period of many changes (social, political, and economic) in Europe. Increased contact with the Islamic world in Spain and Sicily led to an exchange of knowledge. Universities were key in the translation of texts from Greek and Arabic to Latin. The Hanseatic League also emerged during this time.
Who was the most important thinker of the 12th century? Why? How did his works come to be known in Western Europe? Aristotle. His works became known thanks to translations from the Islamic world.
Cathedral Schools: Centers of advanced education in the Early Middle Ages that eventually transformed into medieval universities.
The Rise of Universities: Cathedral Schools evolved into medieval universities thanks to the influx of texts from the Islamic world. The first university was in Salerno. They then slowly spread across Europe (France, Spain, England). They taught the Seven Liberal Arts.
What has Athens to do with Jerusalem, once more? Reconciling faith and reason.
Peter Abelard (1079-1142): French scholastic philosopher and theologian. He had a famous affair with Heloise.
Heloise: French nun famous for her affair with Abelard. An important figure in French literary history and feminist representation.
Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā): Persian polymath regarded as a key figure in the Islamic Golden Age. He is also described as the father of modern medicine.
Averroës (Ibn Rushd) (1126-1198): Muslim Andalusian philosopher and thinker. A strong proponent of Aristotelianism.
Maimonides (1135-1204): Jewish philosopher born in Andalusia. Became one of the most prominent Torah scholars.
John of Salisbury (1120-1180): English author, philosopher, and later Bishop of Chartres (France). One of the most prominent Latinists.
Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179): German abbess, philosopher, author, etc. Considered the founder of scientific natural history in Germany.
Menocal and Fernández-Morera on Al-Andalus
Menocal’s argument/approach in Ornament of the World: Presents a vision of medieval Europe, particularly Al-Andalus, characterized by tolerance and cultural flourishing, contrasting with the “Dark Ages” narrative. She argues for the golden period of the *convivencia* and its multiple benefits.
Fernández-Morera’s argument/approach in The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise: Argues that Islamic Andalusia was a more advanced and developed society, and that its destruction should be lamented.
Taifa Kingdoms: Independent Muslim kingdoms across Spain. Ruled by the Seville *taifa*.
Troubadours (and their origins connected to Islamic Spain): Composers and performers of poetry during the High Middle Ages. Connected to Islamic Spain through Arabic poetry.
Courtly Love: A literary conception of love that emphasized nobility and chivalry.
Occitania: Region and nation of France (the South) where the main language was Occitan.
Alfonso VI and the Christian Conquest of Toledo
Alfonso VI of Castile & León – Christian “conquest” of Toledo in 1085: Spanish king of Leon and Galicia who united Castile and Leon. The conquest of Toledo in 1085 was a decisive victory for the Christians. Toledo was the capital of the *taifa* kingdom of Al-Andalus. Alfonso then claimed the leadership of Leon-Castile in Spain.
Chansons de Geste: French medieval literature that appeared at the dawn of French literature.
Song of Roland vs. Song of the Cid
Song of Roland: Narrates Charlemagne’s conflict against the Muslims.
Song of the Cid: Narrates the life of El Cid, and is set during the Reconquista.
Almoravids: Confederation of Berber tribes that built an empire in Northwestern Africa and Muslim Spain.
Almohads: Confederation of Berber tribes that took over the Almoravid caliphate after a rebellion.
Mozarab: Spanish Christians living under Muslim rule.
Mudejar: Architectural style in post-Islamic Spain heavily influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship.
Translation Centers and the Role of Medieval Spain and Sicily
Translation centers, and the role of medieval Spain (and Sicily!) in bringing ancient Greek and Roman knowledge back into Latin Europe: Appeared in Spain and Sicily first, then spread to Europe. They emerged due to the exchange of texts with the Islamic world.
Henry I of England (r. 1100-1135): King of England from 1100 to 1135. During his reign, he strengthened the crown’s executive power and also ruled Normandy.
Sinking of the White Ship (1120): The White Ship sank in the English Channel. William Adelin, Henry I’s only legitimate son, died in the sinking. This led to a succession crisis and civil war known as the Anarchy.
The Anarchy (1139-1153) – Stephen vs. Matilda
Civil war between England and Normandy after William Adelin’s sudden death. Henry I attempted to place his daughter, Matilda, on the throne but was unsuccessful. After his death in 1135, his nephew Stephen seized the throne. Matilda invaded England in 1139. Eventually, a treaty was signed that gave the throne to Stephen but guaranteed Henry II (Matilda’s son) the throne after Stephen’s death.
The Angevin/Plantagenet Dynasty: The Angevins were the first three Plantagenet kings of England. The Angevin dynasty is a Plantagenet Royal house.
The Angevin Empire: Empire ruled by the Angevin/Plantagenet dynasty, formed by England, Ireland, and half of France during the 12th and 13th centuries.