The High Middle Ages were littered with imperial and papal conflicts. The Hohenstaufen family was notorious for garnering the hatred of various popes. From a glance, a student of history may get the impression that popes were continually engaged in proxy wars with the Holy Roman emperors. Such an impression would be accurate. Though the … More Imperial and Papal Conflicts During the High Middle Ages
The discrepancies within The Song of Roland make the entire poem laughable. It is a wonder why anyone takes the book seriously. Though the book is filled with fascinating betrayals and gripping battles, the author repeatedly contradicts himself throughout the book, begging the question of why it lasted the test of time as a Western … More Discrepancies in the Song of Roland
The West gained an economic advantage over the rest of the world during the High Middle Ages. Somehow, the political and business environment helped to propagate a successful economy. It resulted in prolonged economic growth in the West, an advantage they held for centuries. But how? The answer is competition. Competition between towns resulted in … More Why the West Experienced Prolonged Economic Growth
The rise of medieval towns started during the 13th century. The specific origins of the town concept are an obscure mystery lost in history. Some speculate that they evolved from fortifications built during the Viking invasions. However, it is uncertain whether that is true. What is certain is that they became a central staple of … More The Rise of Medieval Towns
The Song of Roland is a Frankish military poem written during the Middle Ages. It follows Charlemagne’s conquest of Islamic Spain. However, there was a gross betrayal within the Christian military ranks right as he approached victory. Counts Roland and Oliver were treacherously attacked following a peace deal between King Marsilie of Saragossa and Frankish … More Song of Roland: Military Objectives
John Duns Scotus (1265-1308) and William of Ockham (1288-1347) were scholastics whose opinions shattered the framework set by earlier scholastics. They were both nominalist Franciscan Englishmen who taught theology at Oxford and attacked various principles that Thomas Aquinas taught. Their attacks caused people to question Aquinas’ teachings for a time. The dissension they had with … More Aquinas’ Impossible Proof—Duns Scotus (1265-1308) and William of Ockham (1288-1347)
The just war tradition was largely a creation of the medieval Christian Church. Various other cultures like the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans made contributions. However, the concept was not elaborated on in detail before the great theologians like St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas. Their respective works made tremendous progress in giving future … More Just War Tradition Principles
Saint Thomas Aquinas developed numerous theological works during his life and advanced scholasticism, an academic movement to synthesize worldly reasoning and biblical faith. Today, he is most remembered for his Quinque Viae (the five ways). In his book Summa Cuma Gentiles, Aquinas made five logical proofs for the existence of God. The unmoved mover argument … More Thomas Aquinas on the Unmoved Mover
The Christian literature from the early Middle Ages ranges from the accounts of the martyrs, Justin Martyr’s First Apology, St. Augustine’s City of God, and various hymns. By examining those writings, an astute reader can deduce what the Church believed regarding various topics. There were some differences of opinion. For example, they disagreed on who … More Early Medieval Literature on Christian Political Involvement
Saint Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274) was a Dominican scholastic who lived during the Middle Ages. He is most remembered for his philosophical works, and some consider him the greatest and most influential medieval philosopher. Two of his most remembered works are Summa Theologica and Summa Cuma Gentiles. In Summa Cuma Gentiles, Aquinas lays down five … More Life of Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274)
Asher Sisneros 