DBQ Middle Ages Essay Example

and countess of Champagne who takes an oath of homage. In his statement, he promises to provide knights for serving the Count and Countess in return for holding that specific land. Without subjects' loyalty and service towards landlords, the feudal system would crumble, leaving territories vulnerable to invasions from enemies and rival lands. Lastly, document 10 depicts the construction of cathedrals during this period known as the Middle Ages – a testament to the strong organization and influence exhibited by religion at that time.During the Middle Ages, building a cathedral required substantial resources such as funds, materials, and labor which were only accessible to the wealthy and powerful Catholic Church. To mitigate conflicts among landlords, the church implemented periods called Truce of God on specific days including Sundays, Fridays, Saturdays, and feast days. Within these designated times, violent acts like murder, arson, robbery, and assault were strictly prohibited. The Catholic Church enjoyed considerable power and influence over society during this time. This influence led some individuals to abandon their previous lives and join a cloistered order dedicated to serving God. A document showcases the vows taken by a brother who renounced his own will in favor of God's will and embraced the challenges of monastic life as evidence of this commitment. The church also demonstrated its authority through calling Crusades; Pope Urban II believed it was crucial for these campaigns to reclaim Christian lands that had been attacked and occupied by Turks and Arabs in the Middle East (Document 8). Document 9 illustrates both the spiritual and political control exerted by the church during this period. Overall, it is appropriate to describe the Middle Ages

not only as the Dark Ages but also as an Age of Feudalism and an Age of Faith.
The Middle Ages were characterized by a lack of cultural and scientific advancements, relying heavily on knowledge and wealth inherited from earlier civilizations. Document 6 represents this collection of wisdom and treasures from preceding eras. Despite facing struggles from invasions and feudal political organization, the Church's powerful influence over society could not be escaped, thus preventing it from being considered a golden age (Document 7). Additionally, Document 7 suggests that medieval culture was limited to a small group of intellectuals. To fully comprehend the restricted cultural and scientific progress during this era, another document detailing its accomplishments would be beneficial for comparison to other civilizations' achievements during their own Golden Ages.