From the Renaissance of the 12th century, which was the most important?

Question

I know there was a whole revival of arts, architecture, science and scholasticism during the 12th century in Medieval Europe.. but what do you guys think is its most important / lasting characteristics? Why?

Answer 1

(Quick answer -- UNIVERSITY & Scholasticism)

Thanks Bill, for the correction. Unfortunately, most people, including many historians (as the first answer perhaps underlines) do not appreciate the importance of the 12th century Renaissance. I suppose it does not fit in neatly with the popular glorification of 15th century Italian culture and perhaps even more so with the delight of some in denigrating the important role of the CHURCH in positive cultural achievements, the growth of science and learning, etc... (No, pampersguy, the university was NOT all about "breaking away from" the church's beliefs. It was ROOTED in faith.)

In fact, if anyone wants a demonstration of how it was THIS Renaissance, not the later Italian one, that was so critical to the foundations of the "modern age", check out this article -- "The Renaissance Myth" by James Franklin ( Quadrant 26 (11) (Nov. 1982), 51-60)
http://web.maths.unsw.edu.au/~jim/renaissance.html
see also John Moore's article -
http://gmroper.mu.nu/archives/169558.php


Now it is rather difficult to say which component is THE most important, since they all support each other -- advances in science, technology, commerce (including banking) and political institutions all interconnect and support each other.

I would say that in one sense the "fine arts" aspect (that is, the very thing that we often most associate with the later Italian Renaissance!) while positive and worthwhile is sort of the cream on the top... (Also note how the 'commercial revolution' including advances in banking created the wealth that ENABLED the Italian Renaissance" )

I think I'd have to say the most important and "foundational" to advances in all sorts of other areas was the founding of the UNIVERSITY system (which, by the way, includes the falsely belittled development of "scholasticism')... brining together scholars across nations and establishing the context in which science and philosophy began to flourish.

For a history of the rise of the medieval university see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_university
http://www.ku.edu/kansas/medieval/108/lectures/universities.html

See also Rodney Stark's article, "False Conflict", http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleid.17713/article_detail.asp


A pretty good overview of the 12th century Renaissance (yes, wikipedia articles sometimes do that! see also the subtopic links under the main headings)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_of_the_12th_century

Answer 2

The 12th century is the Gothic period. The Renaissance did not begin until the late 15th century. You're mixing up the two eras.

The important characteristics of the Gothic period include Gothic architecture (soaring vaults, flying buttresses, the Gothic arch, and stained glass windows) and a return to painting by artists such as Cimabue and Giotto. It also marks a return to big cities and moving out of the countryside.

The important characteristics of the *actual* Renaissance include more realism, emotion, and depth, as well as perfect proportions in the art. Architecture uses more mathematics in its plans to create the perfect church. Science advances as well, particularly in astronomy, biology, and physics.

Scholastically, the universities first appear in the 11th-12th centuries at Bologna, Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge, which teach higher learning and attempt to break away from the fundamental teachings of the church.

Answer 3

Pampers is wrong. He needs to read a book entitled THE RENAISSANCE OF THE 12TH CENTURY by Charles Homer Haskins. There was enough movement in the 12th century to call it a Renaissance. Also I would not be so specific as to when the Renaissance (later one) began. I would rather say that it was beginning much much earlier and only came to full bloom in the late 15th century.