Making of the Modern Era: From Renaissance Period to Computer Age

The scientific era, in which we are living today, did not come accidentally, and the society faced a lot of paradigms to reach this level. It is not easy to find out the roots of the modern era. But, it will not be wrong to say that the renaissance age had sown the seeds of this era.

Prior to the renaissance age, the society was divided between distinct segments. It continued in ren-era also, but the economic difference became low. On the other hand, freedom of thoughts was welcomed. Ancient classics were ignored in the middle-ages, which again came in the limelight. Some new literature was also written by the great authors like Shakespeare. The thoughts were spread to various nations by mass publishing of the books with the help of new invention – printing press. People took a lot of interest in the art and culture. We can see the perfect example of art and culture in the clothing styles of that age. These renaissance costumes are liked by the fashion lovers of today also.

It will be significant to describe here, that this was the era of the scientific revolution. A number of great scientists and explorers were born during this period, who gave their contribution in making of the modern world. Some prominent names in this regard include Galileo, Christopher Columbus, Amerigo Vespucci, and more. There is no doubt that entire scenario was changed.

The progress did not stop with the end of the renaissance age. After a few years, the Victorian age occurred, which was another golden era for Europe. A lot of industrialization took place during that period. On the other hand, the steam engine was developed just before this era, which awakened the people’s scientific instincts. Some great novelists like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne imagined the futuristic world in their literature.

After the end of Victorian age, the development took place with a rapid speed, and we witnessed the computer age in the last two decades. The technological innovations, which were unimagined during the renaissance era, came in the picture.  But, there are some things for which we still have to look back to history. Renaissance outfits can be counted among them, which have become the fashion statements for the people of the recent times. These costumes are manufactured with the addition of modern dressing styles and are becoming highly popular in the themed events of today.

You can click here to get the dresses in perfect renaissance patterns. The costumes of other communities of that era, such as pirate and peasant can also be acquired from this site.

Outlaw Pirates Also Had Laws

The pirates of various areas in the medieval era and its subsequent centuries would operate like an organization. There is no doubt that the pirate costumes were highly disorganized, but their way of living was too organized that sometimes we get confused while reading about them, whether we are reading about the raiders or an authorized organization.

The pirate crews had their set or rules, which they were bound to follow. If someone does not follow them, then he/she might be the subject of punishment or execution. Different crews had distinct codes of conduct. Many of these crews would run under a democracy also. The person who would be a fierce fighter was elected as the captain. On the other hand, quartermaster was also decided through the election. If some problem would be found in the captain, then he might be expelled from his captaincy by the crew. Removal of Charles Vane from his captaincy for his cowardice and election of Calico Jack (John Rackham) is one of the best examples in this context.

Moreover, sometimes special compensation was offered to the raiders who were injured. There were some prohibitions also in many of the crews. For instance, gambling was banned as it would create the tension among different groups in the crew. Severe punishments were also given to the raiders on the punishable offence.

Some of the pirates started their new code of conducts, which presented their humanistic approach. We find the example of the famous Chinese female pirate Ching Shih, otherwise known as Zheng Yi Sao. She declared that anyone who would plunder the city which had already paid tribute (a form tax to the pirates), would be beheaded, and his head would be dumped in the ocean. Same treatment as declared for those who would steal from the treasury. Moreover, the rape of a female prisoner was also a severe offence that under her captaincy. She declared the same treatment for this, i.e., cutting off of head and dumping it into the ocean.

Such codes of conduct gave a distinct identity to the raiders. A number of people in the recent times seem to be influenced with these pirates of the previous eras. Some of these rules indicated that the freebooters were not as ruthless as they supposed to be. They also had the heart, and they would perform their activities under some rules and regulations. This may be one of the reasons why many of today’s people in the western world like to be a pirate for fun for some moments. If really want to make and look like a pirate or want costumes and clothes visit this website http://www.tobeapirate.com/

Beautiful Italian Art Reflected in Painting in the Middle Ages

It is a known fact that Italy was one of the prominent places, where art and culture flourished during the medieval period. Medieval costumes, sculptures and paintings, gained huge popularity across Europe. The renaissance period also started first in Italy and then spread throughout the continent. But, in the middle ages also, a great development was witnessed in the painting, in this country.

There were a number of factors behind the progress of painting in Italy. The western border of vast Byzantine Empire was occupied by Italy until the late eleventh century. Italy maintained a strong connection though Byzantium via trade, even after this area was under Norman rule in around 1071. This connection was best expressed in the art of that era, which was the early period of the middle ages. Huge popularity was gained by illustrated Bibles and Exultet Rolls in 1050. The liturgical scrolls contained the texts for the celebration of Easter. Such text was produced in the Benevento region of southern Italy. Early Christian painting cycle from the churches of Rome influenced miniature illustrations in the Bibles, which were related to the contemporary monumental Roman wall paintings.

In 1204, Constantinople was sacked by Christian armies of the Fourth Crusade. So, the precious objects from Byzantium reached Italy and impacted the art produced in the nation. The brightly colored gold-ground panels were proliferated during the 13th century. “Madonna and Child” by Berlinghiero is one of the best examples in this regard. He was one of the foremost painters of that era working in the Tuscan City of Lucca. Madonna’s gestures towards Christ are shown as a miniature adult, who puts on the medieval clothing like philosophers.

In the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries, three great masters appeared in Italy, who gave their contribution in changing the course of painting. These great masters were Florentine Giotto di Bondone, Roman Pietro Cavallini and Sienese Duccio di Buoninsegna. The figures of Giotto seem to be volumetric rather than linear. The emotions which they express seem to be different. They are convincingly human instead of being stylized. A new type of pictorial paces was created by him with a measurable depth. On the other hand, a lyrical expressiveness and spiritual gravity to the formalized Italo-Byzantine tradition were brought by Duccio, who was a founder of the Sienese school of painting. He made a small devotional panel of the Madonna and Child. The gap was bridged by Duccio between the real world of the viewer and the spiritual world of the figures. He did so by means of illusionistic parapet. It was among first of its kind in Western painting. Some exceptional artists, who painted during this period, include Maso di Banco, Ambrogio, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Taddeo Gaddi. Refinement and elegance were added to the spare form of Giotto’s art by Simone Martini.

Besides the above mentioned ones, Fresco painting and panel painting were two distinct types of Italian styles.

Facets of Medieval Period

Kingdoms in the Beginning of the Medieval Times
The middle times history began in 500 CE, when development was started in society. The government of this society was very strong during that time. The kingdom was very powerful, and there was a harmony in society. The warriors often carried swords, which were made up of steel and their edges were much sharpened.

Clothing
There were a number of salient features, which were popular during that period. For instance, you were able to find the clothing of different styles. The upper class people always looked in distinct styles, in the middle ages, which were different from the modern era. At that time, the rich people would always wear the nice dresses, and they looked like real gentlemen. That clothing was often made up of woolen fabrics.

Peasants had their own styles. Peasants were labor-class farmers who always worked in fields. They also used to wear the woolen shoes in a field while cultivation of crops.

These medieval dresses became the fashion-statements for the people of the modern times.

Festivals and Entertainment
They also had many festivals where all the rich and poor people would enjoy together, and special forms of events were organized at that particular time like dancing, juggling and drinking. http://www.themiddleages.co.uk/ is great website for demonstration of medieval's time fashion, costumes and festivals. The tournaments were also organized in the middle ages, which were also a type of entertainment. There had been the variety of games at that particular period. Horse riding was one of the most popular frolics during that era. Music was an important part of the medieval society. They had professional musicians who travelled from one place to another. On the other hand, the upper-class people would like to be in the drinking moods, in some particular events.  There was also a theater in the medieval era for the enjoyment of the people.

Art and Craft
The crafts of the medieval ages were very nice and their styles inspired by the genres like gothic and byzantine. The medieval art is perfectly reflected in architecture in churches and castles.

Medicines
Inspired by Greeks and Romans, various medieval people were well-versed in the medicines. The infections related troubles were difficult to detect.

The System of Medieval Cathedrals in Churches

In the medieval era, church was a prominent body in Europe, which would take the decision in significant aspects of the society. In various parts of the continent in the early medieval era, it had the responsibility to educate people. Quite obviously, the need of proper governance of the churches was felt. A new system came in existence, which was known as the cathedral. The cathedral was a seat in the church, which was the chair of a bishop. This bishop had the governance of a diocese for the purpose of teaching and preaching. Authority or apostolic succession was represented by the cathedral. Its prominent tasks included welcoming the new bishops, ordination, Chrim Mass and diocesan celebration.

Cathedrals in the middle ages usually belonged to the religious sections of the society. During the early middle ages, the religious seats were in the limelight. But, a lot of change was witnessed in the late medieval era. Some secular cathedrals also came in the existence. Such chairs had the posts like dean, precentor, chancellor and treasurer.

Ten monks would work under the dean. His purpose was supplying the place of the provost in the internal management of the church, as well as the internal management of the chapter. Dean had the responsibility to lead every secular church in England. He was elected by the chapter. Bishop used to approve the dean. The dean also had the charge of performance of the services in the principal festivals. He would sit on the chief stall in the choir.
The position of precentor would come next to dean. He had the special duty of regulating the musical part of the services. The things were controlled by the precentor in the absences of dean. He took the corresponding stall in the left side, in such a situation. Some exceptions also existed such as in places like St. Paul. Archdeacon has the second place instead of precentor at these places.

The third person in the ranking was chancellor (not to be confused with the chancellor of the diocese). He had the charge the oversight of its education centers. The divinity lectures were read by him. Besides, he also had to superintend the lections of the choir. He also had some other responsibilities. One of his responsibilities was correcting the reader in case if something was going on wrong. Moreover, he was also a librarian and the secretary. He would act as president if the dean or precentor would be absent. He had to handle the easternmost stall, which was on the side of the choir of the dean.

The treasurer was the fourth person, whose responsibility was to manage clothing, ornaments and furniture of the church. Besides, he also had a duty to provide bread and wine for Eucharist. The matters like ringing the bells were also regulated by the treasure. His stall used to be opposite to the chancellor.

This trend continued in the later ages also, and you can find it in some forms in the modern times also. Like medieval clothes, culture, sculptures and paintings etc., it is also one of the best aspects that old age societies have given to us.

Development of Science during Middle Ages

The advancement of science and technology that you observe today is not an affair of a few days. This is the work of various scholars since thousands of years. Immediately after the middle-ages, scientific revolution took place from 1500 A.D, which further became the reason for the development of modern science.

The roots of this development can be found in the ancient times. Some scientific researches could be witnessed during the period of Roman Empire. The Roman imperialism ended in the Europe in 5th century, and it was the beginning of the end.

During the Roman Empire, Greek was the language of science, but the knowledge of Greek declined during the transition. Moreover, the scope of education was reduced due to de-urbanization. In the 6th century, education was moved to churches and cathedrals, which had the complete focus on teaching the doctrines of Bible. Italy, Spain and southern parts of Gail were the places, where the education was going on modestly. These were the places where influence of the Roman Empire was most long lasting. Learning started to emerge in Ireland and Celtic lands. At these places, Latin was thought to be a foreigner language, and people had a huge interest in learning and teaching the Latin texts. Until this time, people’s interest towards the study of nature was limited to the practical aspects rather than abstract ones in various countries. For instance, monks showed their interest in the motion of stars in order to compute the exact time of prayer.  Similarly, motions of sun and moon were determined for calculating the date of Easter.

English monk Alcuin of York was assisted by Charles the Great in 800 A.D. for the educational reforms. The study of astronomy was concerned with this reform, which was meant for both practical and theoretical reforms. From 787, laws were passed for the restoration of the old schools and the establishment of new ones.  These schools were under the responsibility of monasteries and cathedrals.

In 1050, which was the beginning of the high, European scholars started seeking the knowledge in the existing texts of Greek and Arabic. A number of Arabic texts were available during that era, which were full of scientific knowledge. Many of these texts were translated into Latin by the scholars like Gerard of Cremona.  The new medieval universities were benefitted from the translated texts. The works of Aristotle were also rediscovered, and the scientific studies of the motion of earth and heavenly bodies were conducted.  The first half of the 14th century, which is counted under the late middle-ages, the scientific work of some great thinkers was witnessed, like William of Ocean, John Philoponus etc.

With the end, scientific revolution began, but there was definitely some role of middle times in the later scientific developments.
Despite the less scientific progress, the people of the middle-ages seem progressive in their lifestyles in various aspects. Their clothing styles are still the allure for the people. The medieval clothing has been adopted by the fashion industry of today because of its elegance.

You can acquire some brilliant medieval dresses and accessories on our website. The costumes of distinct community of that era can be witnessed on the aforesaid website.