Introduction to the Medieval Period

The Introduction to the Medieval Period Diploma Course begins with an introduction to the three different periods within the Medieval Era. In doing so, it examines why the ‘Middle Ages’ are so called and what really went on during this intriguing period.

You’ll study how the Vikings went from being the scourges from the sea to rulers of the land and the various battles and incidents that led to them overthrowing the Anglo-Saxon rulers, in an extraordinary period in English medieval history when Danish kings sat upon the throne of England.

It is impossible to understand Europe in the Middle Ages without being aware of the power that the Roman Catholic Church exerted on the continent during this period. You will learn how Roman Catholicism rose out of the wreckage of the fall of Rome, its expansion across the European continent, and the subsequent rift that occurred between East and West.

Following the rise of the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, the religion of the Muslim people, took hold in Southern Spain, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. We examine the far-reaching developments in science, technology, literature and art that occurred in the Muslim world at the time and the lasting impact it had on the culture and intellectual life of Europe.

We’ll examine the history of the religious Crusades – how they happened and the various events that took place during the expeditions themselves. This course highlights how the Crusades enabled the papacy to rise in power and prestige, as well noting other significant players on the Crusading field – kings, knights, and in particular, the Knights Templar.

One of the darkest times in the Medieval Age was the era of the Inquisition. You’ll discover what brought this powerful institution into being, study the Inquisition’s procedures, and look at one of the most infamous Inquisition cases, that of Joan of Arc, as well as the Spanish Inquisition.

You’ll be introduced to how the practice of medicine was perceived in the Middle Ages. We’ll explore some of the challenges that the Catholic Church faced in reconciling the practice of medicine with religious beliefs, as well as studying the mix of magic and religion that was widely practised as medieval medicine.

We then move chronologically through the five main art movements of the Medieval Period - Christian and Byzantine, Anglo-Saxon, Romanesque, and Gothic. You'll understand why each movement flourished, along with the primary characteristics of each style.

You’ll be introduced to the two main economic systems of the Medieval Age – Manorialism and Feudalism. You will learn what peasant life was like under the feudal system and explore the rise of the merchant, along with the changes this new class of person brought to the Middle Ages as a result.

The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic that killed approximately half of the population of Europe in the Middle Ages.  In the final module of the course, you will examine what caused it, how the people of the day handled it and study the short and long-term changes that signalled the end of this extraordinary period of history.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand what happened in the three periods of the Medieval Era
• Be aware of how the Catholic Church rose to power and the pivotal role it played throughout this period
• Have learnt about the major contributions Medieval Muslims made to European history
• Understand how Danish Kings came to sit upon the throne of England
• Know what the Crusades were and how they started
• Be more informed about the various Medieval Inquisitions that took place and why
• Be aware of the challenges posed to the Church by scientific and medical progress, and how such threats hindered them
• Know the main economic systems of this period, such as Feudalism
• Have a greater appreciation of the incredible art movements that took place during this era
• Understand the devastation that occurred across Europe as a result of the bubonic plague

If you’re interested in history, this course shares the truth of one of the most fascinating eras in Europe’s past. The commonly held belief is that the Medieval era was a period of doom and gloom and, while there is a certain element of truth in that, you will learn that it was also a time of great change and new ways of thinking.

While this time period is synonymous with the Black Death, the Inquisition, and the Crusades, these events cleared the path for travel and trade to expand – linking parts of the world in ways that had never occurred previously. This also laid the groundwork for the glorious Age of Discovery, which saw Spanish ships and others setting sail across the Atlantic.

The Islamic Golden Age was a period of cultural, economic and scientific flourishing that enabled astounding discoveries and developments in all areas of human life.

Art and architecture developed in astonishing ways during this period. Think about the differences between Byzantine Art and Gothic Art and you can see the vast creativeness and uniqueness of the artists at work across this period.

This course is your chance to better acquaint yourself with all the Middle Ages brought – the good and the bad – and how the events of the time changed the world forever.