The Great Schism of 1054 The Great Schism of 1054 marks the separation of the Western an Eastern parts of the church and was a major rift in the church in the Middle Ages that still continues today. Pope Leo IX sent legates to Constantinople to seek the Eastern Church's recognition of the Roman Pope as head of the world-wide church. The Patriarch of the Eastern Church, Michael Cerularius, refused to recognize Rome and was excommunicated by the legates acting on behalf of the Pope. Interestingly, Poe Leo had died before they completed this mission. The Patriarch of the Eastern Church excommunicated the legates in return. Greek was banned in the Roman Church while Latin was banned in the Eastern Church. There followed the Massacre of the Latins in Constantinople in 1182 and the 4th Crusade in 1204 that attacked Constantinople.

Carolingian Empire The Carolingian Empire was a Frankish Empire that dominated Europe in the Early Middle Ages. It was most noted for the King Charlemange (Charles the Great) who was crowned King by the Pope in the year 800. Charlemange's rule resulted in the Carolingian Renaissance when then was an increase in education in the Royal and church courts, and increase in cathedral building. The attached illustration is on Aachen cathedral that was first constructed during the Charlemange's rule. Aachen was the political center of the Carolingian Empire. The cathedral shows the central octagonal worship space built in Charlemagne's time along with the Gothic edition on the left, with typical large windows.

Carolingian Empire The Carolingian Empire was a Frankish Empire that dominated Europe in the Early Middle Ages. It was most noted for the King Charlemange (Charles the Great) who was crowned King by the Pope in the year 800. Charlemange's rule resulted in the Carolingian Renaissance when then was an increase in education in the Royal and church courts, and increase in cathedral building. The attached illustration is on Aachen cathedral that was first constructed during the Charlemange's rule. Aachen was the political center of the Carolingian Empire. The cathedral shows the central octagonal worship space built in Charlemagne's time along with the Gothic edition on the left, with typical large windows.

Nice article on the interaction with Islamic science & medicine and the translation of ancient texts in the Middle ages. I will upload each page. If anybody would like a pdf version instead, pleas e-mail me

Islam Islam was a religion that originated in the region of Mecca and Medina in the Arabian Peninsula through the revelations of its principal prophet, Mohammed, who lived from about 560 to 632 CE. The revelations ar known to us in Islam's holy book, the Quran. Mohammed was a commercial trader who later became a prophet, political leader and military leader. Islam quickly grew and dominated North Africa and the Near East, taking Christian Holy city of Jerusalem. It was this "occupation" of Jerusalem that would provide the drive for the First Crusade in the High Middle Ages. As the Roman Empire disintegrated under the Germanic invasions, Europe had entered the "Dark Ages" where there was little development of intellectual knowledge. The Islamic nations became the leading developers of scientific and medical progress. The attached article describes the movement of this Islamic knowledge base into the European sphere with the development of the various periods of reformation. The article is presented as individual pages. Please see each entry on this subject.

Aachen was the political center of the Carolingian Empire during Charlemagne's reign. Aachen catheral is interesting because it shows the octagonal construction of the 8th century with the classical Gothic addition on the left hand side with full windows.

Use of statues to convey the Christian story

Colors of the Holy Spirit

A Cathedral being built. The Gaudi designed Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, still under construction (for about the last 129 years or so). A fantastic new construction depicting bibical stories especially in statues and carving (St. Peter after the cock crowed thrice), the presence of the Holy Spirit (check out the window) and God's creation--natural shapes, waves froim the sea, tree branches, fruits, flowers, you name it.

A Cathedral being built. The Gaudi designed Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, still under construction (for about the last 129 years or so). A fantastic new construction depicting bibical stories especially in statues and carving (St. Petter after the cock crowed thrice), the presence of the Holy Spirit (chreck out the window) and God's creation--natural shapes, waves froim the sea, tree branches, fruits, flowers, you name it.

Cathedrals Cathedrals were important in the Middle Ages as centers of learning and sources of economic well being. Learning was provided through the residence of the great intellectuals and theologians of the time, through cathedral schools for clergy, and through visual and tactile aids to convey the Christian message to the uneducxated massees. Cathedral construction was important in the Carolingian and 12th century Renaissances when the many new cathedrals were built. Cathedral construction often took an extended period spurring economic development by the creation of many jobs and the development of trade with distant lands to provide specialized materials such as marble. The cathedrals also acted as sites of pilgrimage generating further income for the city. The series of photograhs are intersting in that they show a modern`day cathedral under construction in Barcelona. Illustrations are provided of sculpture to convey the Biblical stories and of windows conveying the pressence of the Holy Spirit.

Useful summary of the 8th to 9th cewntury renaissance