The medieval era

The Medieval Era

The medieval times or the middle ages, known to exist around 5th to 15th century was not a merry time in European history. Majorly embarking the fall of the great Roman Empire and shaded times, this era has been often controversially termed as The Dark Ages. 

     

The term dark ages was coined and credited by renowned Italian scholar, Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374). Like other scholars, moved by the severe depressed times, with lack of literature, art, architecture, medicine, inventions and politics. 

So how hopeless and dark were the Dark Ages actually? Honestly, they were one of the worst times seen by the European empire. With the major fall of the Roman Empire clutched in the eye of the storm, the doomed times spread like a plague across the world. As the Roman Empire was known as the mother of the Empires, so definitely the major and sudden destruction shook not only Rome but the world to its core. Greece, Turkey, Palestine and Egypt were majorly affected. It was a fall of the civilization.

     

This destruction started with Gothic German soldiers riding into Rome trampling the lives of the royalty and the folks. The barbarian invaders, spread despair throughout Rome. This period highlighted illetracy, barbarism, cannibalism, mass homicides, starvation and further horrific crimes. People were crusaded and murdered in the streets. The pavements were stained with blood and filth for there wasn’t even proper sewage disposal. Buildings and monuments were burnt to ashes. The Roman architecture came falling down. Monuments were quarried for quick and simple building materials. The structures couldn’t sustain. Uncertainty was spread throughout, no one knew what steps to take and how to survive. Corpses lied exposedon the streets, once royalty now lived in shacks. Uncouth behaviour was common for obtaining food. People murdered each other to survive or even ate human flesh. This is why these times were called Gothic Times. The economy was doomes, so was politics. There was no government, emperor or state. No one knew how to live or survive this nightmare. 

   

Paganism and other occult religion were on the rise around this time. With no government to save, feudalism and vendetta was very common. The Colosseum also succumbed destruction, it became shelter for the destitute, a urinal and home to pack of animals. The times were further horrific and the society went in a downward spiral. Around this time Islam domination moved forward and Muslims ruled Spain and Italy. Hence, started a huge feud between Christians and Islam. Crusades were bought in to invade Islam rulers and ward them of from the land. These were also the times of cruel slavery and labour. The taxes were heavy as the Church started rising as the ultimate power. Forcefully, turning people into Christianity. They exploited money and power immensely. Byzantine Empire and Constantinople could only save Rome at this time.

Gothic architecture inspired by the Islamic world was contructed bringing down the heavy Romanesque style. Hence, this was also a start of the Renaissance. 

Later an even worse enemy attacked Rome, the Bubonic Plague. This deadly plague killed millions of people. Nearly half the population died victim to this plague, which spread across Europe like a wildfire. 

The art and architecture in this period was Gothic and Byzantine inspired. There were also Romanesque carvings around the city. But because of less stability and prosperity art and literature didn’t flourish much.  Greek inspired Byzantine art and French inspired Christian art whereas Islam inspired the mosaic art.

           

Dante was one of the greatest poets of the medieval times.

      

Fashion during the medieval times was very functional. It majorly showed the difference between nobles and citizens. The length of tunics worn by men and women was of most importance. Jewellery was very minimalist, mostly used in brooches and belts. Usually linen or silk tunic was worn. No rich and luxurious materials or colours were adorned.  The courtesans and burlesque dancers had different attires to lure men and acquire wealth in the time of need. Different sigils were used depending on the ruler. The Church usually dictated the clothing and the type of footwear that needed to be worn. Tunics usually hung loose and undefined, sometimes belted once or twice at the waist. Sleeves were widened and hanging of the shoulder. The length of the tunics wee decreased for mobility among citizens. A chemise was usually worn under the tunic. The elite wore tassels and girdles. The warriors wore broigne and baldric as their armours with heraldic symbols. Hats and veils also grew popular around this time. 

The length of the footwear also represented rank. Rectangular or semi-circular shawls were draped frequently. Worn like an apron and tucked at the belt, the shawl was multi-functional.  Sometimes two belts were worn to hold the shawl. The amount of fringe edging also indicated status. Men usually wore Toga with certain stripes and women usually wore equivalent Stola draped over with a Palla. These were the regular costumes of the medieval period.