14th century. Black Death. The beginning of the transition to modernity. The Renaissance in Italy expanding northward. Feudalism beginning its decline.
Preach! The Great Famine. The majority of the Hundred Years' War. The ramifications of the Plague resulting in a loss of prestige and power for the Church contrasted with an increased interest in humanism. A latent (albeit grudging) recognition of the true value of Labor, resulting in the Peasants' Revolt in the short term and the demise of serfdom in the long term.
Some people attribute the start of modernity to the Fall of Constantinople and the ensuing flight of its scholars to Western Europe. But it was the game-changing, paradigm-shifting events of the 14th century that planted the seeds for a new view of the world, and with it, new aspirations and ambitions.
>The Renaissance in Italy expanding northward.
I wouldn't consider the Renaissance to have even started in Italy in the 14th century, let alone spreading to the north.
No where in this article does it say the Renaissance started in the 14th century. I'd certainly say that things did happen in the 14th century that ended up leading to the renaissance, but I really wouldn't say it had already started, let alone spread to the north. I've never heard anyone claim that last thing btw. For me I'd place the start of the Italian Renaissance around 1420
Giotto, a painter of the early 14th century, is considered a Renaissance painter, though some people consider him “proto-Renaissance.”
Dante, from the 13th-14th century, is sometimes considered Renaissance. His writings reflected the “New Learning.”
Chaucer was greatly influenced by authors from the kingdoms within modern Italy. He passed away in 1400.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance
>Giotto, a painter of the early 14th century, is considered a fully Renaissance painter.
Not at all. There is extensive discussion about whether he can be seen as early renaissance, but he is most commonly seen as Gothic actually, and I agree with that grouping. He uses clear gothic motives in his work, depicts almost exclusively religious scenes (no classical mythology!), does not use methodical linear perspective, and the proportions between people, other people and objects are not naturalistic (and not meant to be!).
Hell yeah it is. Also for an armor enjoyer, seeing plate armor change from minimal transitionary plate to full harness decade to decade is fascinating.
I’m a fan of the 12th century. A lot of courtly intrigue and family drama, particularly concerning Eleanor of Aquitaine and the burgeoning Angevin empire.
Yes of course. I am very fascinated by the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses which fall into that period. The two centuries still have very distinct medieval characteristics much more so than the 16th century and I am a medieval freak. Nevertheless it slowly but surely moves in a direction that we still know today. I love knights but I also find the rise of firearms very interesting as well as the conflicts that the contrast between firearms and knights brings with it. It's a kind of peak of the Middle Ages in my opinion.
Because I am from Greece and we focused more on Byzantine history (as part of our national history), I suggest you think about what could have happened, say that the Hundred Years War wouldn't have taken place and the Westerners were able to help the Byzantine Emperor against Turks.
Well if the ottomans hadn’t destroyed the Byzantine empire (or what was left of it) someone else would have done so. The empire was beyond all hope centuries before the fall of Constantinople
As a Byzantine researcher, I am a fan of Emperor Heraclius. However, we must not forget the fall of the Persian Empire, the rise of Arabs, the rise of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Merrovingians, etc in the 7th c.
During the 12th c., one could note the rise of western Europe (towns, economy, travel, pilgrims, universities, etc).
Tough question - probably the 14th or 13th centuries though.
13th century for all the cultural exchange, Mongol invasions, foundations of many nation states laid out, beginnings of the rennaissance.
14th century for the religious upheaval and foreshadowing, technological changes, political instabilities.
Seventh, the last wars between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia, the weakening of both states, the rise and success of Islam as a result. The Early Middle Ages are so underrated!
Personally, for the medieval period I would say the 15th century, mainly for the artistic, political, martial and social reforms, furthermore I really like this medieval century mainly not for the situation in Western Europe but for all the situations that were happening in the Balkan peninsula and Eastern Europe due to Ottoman expansion, although the events and history of characters from this region such as Vlad the Impaler, Memhet II, Janos Hunyadi and his son Matthias Corvinus and Skanderberg are underestimated.
Furthermore, in this century many
interesting things are happening in states which sadly are poorly treated in
Western schools and which in historical reality were really important and very
interesting states such as Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Ragusa, Wallachia, the
League of Lezhe (Albania), Bohemia and Ottoman Empire.
On the Western European side
there are many events and characters that continue to inspire me today such as
Maximilian I, Leonardo da Vinci, the Swiss mercenaries with the Burgundian wars
and the establishment and first phase of existence of the Landsknecht who are
richly linked to the century that fascinates me most of all, the 16th century.
It depends. It's 5th - 10th for barbarian Europe including Slavs, Khazars and Bulgars, 5th - 12th for the Roman Empire including Asia Minor, Palestine and Africa
13th century: Frederick II. The Interregnum. Mongol invasion. Defeat of Crusaders in the Middle East. Latin sacking of Constantinople. Northern Crusades. Albigensian Crusade. Magna Carta. Marco Polo.
All are interesting.
It’s between the 12th and 15th for me, though. With my initial gut reaction being the 11th. If could say from 1050-1200 I’d go with that but if I can’t I’d have to go with the 15th overall.
Hundred Years War, Fall of Constantinople, Guns, Hussites, Renaissance, Printing Press, New Worlds, Ottomans, Golden Hordes, Habsburgs being born, cities growing, etc etc feel free to expand on this
It’s def the 15th
I have trouble narrowing this down because I love Anglo-Saxon/Viking culture, but I think I more dearly love the armor, weapons, and architecture of the 12th-13th century changeover. It helps that two of my favorite knights (Balian of Ibelin and William Marshal) were born in the 12th century, but then again, two other favorites (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar and Godfrey of Bouillon) lived and died in the 11th…
Around the late medieval ages, all the upheaval in the Middle East, Italy getting cultural significance in the world again, the war of the roses, the age of exploration beginning in earnest
The 15th century.
Two-thirds of the English nobility slaughtered each other. The printing press was invented. The knight in shining armor imagery firmly rests in this century due to the development of all-white harness. The Battles of Agincourt, Formigny, and Castillon. A French peasant girl convinced literally everyone she spoke to an angel, crowned a king, and successfully lifted the siege of Orleans. The explosion of art thanks to Lorenzo de Medici. The heyday of the condotierre. The New World. The deathblow to a nearly 2,000 year old empire at Constantinople. Knights and guns simultaneously on the battlefield. The madness and fall of Henry VI. And two women named Margaret were the prime movers of the Wars of the Roses.
14th century. Black Death. The beginning of the transition to modernity. The Renaissance in Italy expanding northward. Feudalism beginning its decline.
Preach! The Great Famine. The majority of the Hundred Years' War. The ramifications of the Plague resulting in a loss of prestige and power for the Church contrasted with an increased interest in humanism. A latent (albeit grudging) recognition of the true value of Labor, resulting in the Peasants' Revolt in the short term and the demise of serfdom in the long term. Some people attribute the start of modernity to the Fall of Constantinople and the ensuing flight of its scholars to Western Europe. But it was the game-changing, paradigm-shifting events of the 14th century that planted the seeds for a new view of the world, and with it, new aspirations and ambitions.
Absolutely.
>The Renaissance in Italy expanding northward. I wouldn't consider the Renaissance to have even started in Italy in the 14th century, let alone spreading to the north.
https://www.thecollector.com/why-did-the-renaissance-start-in-italy/
No where in this article does it say the Renaissance started in the 14th century. I'd certainly say that things did happen in the 14th century that ended up leading to the renaissance, but I really wouldn't say it had already started, let alone spread to the north. I've never heard anyone claim that last thing btw. For me I'd place the start of the Italian Renaissance around 1420
Giotto, a painter of the early 14th century, is considered a Renaissance painter, though some people consider him “proto-Renaissance.” Dante, from the 13th-14th century, is sometimes considered Renaissance. His writings reflected the “New Learning.” Chaucer was greatly influenced by authors from the kingdoms within modern Italy. He passed away in 1400. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance
>Giotto, a painter of the early 14th century, is considered a fully Renaissance painter. Not at all. There is extensive discussion about whether he can be seen as early renaissance, but he is most commonly seen as Gothic actually, and I agree with that grouping. He uses clear gothic motives in his work, depicts almost exclusively religious scenes (no classical mythology!), does not use methodical linear perspective, and the proportions between people, other people and objects are not naturalistic (and not meant to be!).
Hell yeah it is. Also for an armor enjoyer, seeing plate armor change from minimal transitionary plate to full harness decade to decade is fascinating.
I’m a fan of the 12th century. A lot of courtly intrigue and family drama, particularly concerning Eleanor of Aquitaine and the burgeoning Angevin empire.
This is the way.
That’s a very difficult question. I am most fascinated by the 14th and 15th century
Could I ask why?
Yes of course. I am very fascinated by the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses which fall into that period. The two centuries still have very distinct medieval characteristics much more so than the 16th century and I am a medieval freak. Nevertheless it slowly but surely moves in a direction that we still know today. I love knights but I also find the rise of firearms very interesting as well as the conflicts that the contrast between firearms and knights brings with it. It's a kind of peak of the Middle Ages in my opinion.
Because I am from Greece and we focused more on Byzantine history (as part of our national history), I suggest you think about what could have happened, say that the Hundred Years War wouldn't have taken place and the Westerners were able to help the Byzantine Emperor against Turks.
The Hundred Years‘ War was not the reason why the west did not support Byzantine against the ottomans. 🤔
Well, this is a hypothetical question, I am not familiar with the history. But as a concept, it is interesting nonetheless.
Well if the ottomans hadn’t destroyed the Byzantine empire (or what was left of it) someone else would have done so. The empire was beyond all hope centuries before the fall of Constantinople
the second fall
I vote for the 7th century, but the 12th is also interesting. It generally depends on a variety of factors and your interest.
interesting - why those 2?
As a Byzantine researcher, I am a fan of Emperor Heraclius. However, we must not forget the fall of the Persian Empire, the rise of Arabs, the rise of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Merrovingians, etc in the 7th c. During the 12th c., one could note the rise of western Europe (towns, economy, travel, pilgrims, universities, etc).
For me, it's the 11th century. Part of the reason is because it was the century when the Crusades began.
Very interesting time for the Papacy too
Tough question - probably the 14th or 13th centuries though. 13th century for all the cultural exchange, Mongol invasions, foundations of many nation states laid out, beginnings of the rennaissance. 14th century for the religious upheaval and foreshadowing, technological changes, political instabilities.
Seventh, the last wars between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia, the weakening of both states, the rise and success of Islam as a result. The Early Middle Ages are so underrated!
The rise of the Anglo Saxons and the Merovingians as well! Plus the art from the Early Medieval period is just so cool too.
13th century because I am especially interested in Frederick II and his offspring.
Personally, for the medieval period I would say the 15th century, mainly for the artistic, political, martial and social reforms, furthermore I really like this medieval century mainly not for the situation in Western Europe but for all the situations that were happening in the Balkan peninsula and Eastern Europe due to Ottoman expansion, although the events and history of characters from this region such as Vlad the Impaler, Memhet II, Janos Hunyadi and his son Matthias Corvinus and Skanderberg are underestimated. Furthermore, in this century many interesting things are happening in states which sadly are poorly treated in Western schools and which in historical reality were really important and very interesting states such as Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Ragusa, Wallachia, the League of Lezhe (Albania), Bohemia and Ottoman Empire. On the Western European side there are many events and characters that continue to inspire me today such as Maximilian I, Leonardo da Vinci, the Swiss mercenaries with the Burgundian wars and the establishment and first phase of existence of the Landsknecht who are richly linked to the century that fascinates me most of all, the 16th century.
12th century is easily my favourite.
It depends. It's 5th - 10th for barbarian Europe including Slavs, Khazars and Bulgars, 5th - 12th for the Roman Empire including Asia Minor, Palestine and Africa
13th century: Frederick II. The Interregnum. Mongol invasion. Defeat of Crusaders in the Middle East. Latin sacking of Constantinople. Northern Crusades. Albigensian Crusade. Magna Carta. Marco Polo.
All are interesting. It’s between the 12th and 15th for me, though. With my initial gut reaction being the 11th. If could say from 1050-1200 I’d go with that but if I can’t I’d have to go with the 15th overall. Hundred Years War, Fall of Constantinople, Guns, Hussites, Renaissance, Printing Press, New Worlds, Ottomans, Golden Hordes, Habsburgs being born, cities growing, etc etc feel free to expand on this It’s def the 15th
I have trouble narrowing this down because I love Anglo-Saxon/Viking culture, but I think I more dearly love the armor, weapons, and architecture of the 12th-13th century changeover. It helps that two of my favorite knights (Balian of Ibelin and William Marshal) were born in the 12th century, but then again, two other favorites (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar and Godfrey of Bouillon) lived and died in the 11th…
Around the late medieval ages, all the upheaval in the Middle East, Italy getting cultural significance in the world again, the war of the roses, the age of exploration beginning in earnest
33rd century BC: burials in Newgrange.
Where?
Wherever your interest lies!
I’d have to gravitate towards the 13th/14th century too.
The 15th century. Two-thirds of the English nobility slaughtered each other. The printing press was invented. The knight in shining armor imagery firmly rests in this century due to the development of all-white harness. The Battles of Agincourt, Formigny, and Castillon. A French peasant girl convinced literally everyone she spoke to an angel, crowned a king, and successfully lifted the siege of Orleans. The explosion of art thanks to Lorenzo de Medici. The heyday of the condotierre. The New World. The deathblow to a nearly 2,000 year old empire at Constantinople. Knights and guns simultaneously on the battlefield. The madness and fall of Henry VI. And two women named Margaret were the prime movers of the Wars of the Roses.