Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

The High Middle Ages could be described as an era in the 11th-13th centuries characterized by a quick population increase, and brought about by great social and political changes. Some iconic characteristics of the High Middle Ages include the heavy emphasis on the Church, chivalry, and embracing death/danger. Julian of Norwich was a loyal mystic anchoress her entire life, making her an embodiment of the devotion people had for the Church during this time period. The Saint Crispin's Day speech, written by William Shakespeare, showcased the importance of chivalry, as thousands of people died that day just to not go against it. The social dynamic and tragic events represented in the Ballads show the need to accept death/danger in the High Middle Ages. Attitudes of the High Middle Ages can be seen in the literature including: Julian of Norwich, Saint Crispin’s Day Speech, and the Ballads. A prime example of the High Middle Ages’ dedication to the Church is Julian of Norwich. In the 14th and 15th centuries, she was an English writer and mystic. Julian lived in isolation within a church for many years, dedicating her life to God and serving as an anchoress. “Revelations Of Divine Love,” her most well-known composition, is a reflection of her strong religious ties and commitment to the Church. Julian writes on topics such as the value of religion, God’s love, and forgiveness. She highlights the value of prayer, reflection, and faith in God’s compassion. Julian captures the enthusiasm and commitment to religion that marked the High Middle Ages in her works. Shakespeare’s Henry V portrayal of the Saint Crispin’s Day speech serves as a potent illustration of the High Middle Ages’ commitment to chivalry. Before the Battle of Agincourt, King Henry V inspires his soldiers with words of honor, bravery, and loyalty in this address. He places a strong emphasis on the value of brotherhood and the readiness to battle for what is right. The speech embodies the principles of chivalry, which encompassed attributes like bravery, loyalty, and honor. It demonstrates the strong adherence to a code of behavior that the nobility and knights of that era had. The Saint Crispin’s Day speech demonstrates the High Middle Ages’ commitment to chivalry and faith in noble principles. During the High Middle Ages, heroic narratives and sad occurrences involving characters who faced danger and death were frequently portrayed in ballads. The ballads welcomed these themes rather than avoiding them, showing death as a courageous gesture or a test of a person’s loyalty and fortitude. These poems represented the dominant view of the time, which held that danger and death were inevitable aspects of life. They demonstrated the acceptance of death and danger as a normal part of the human experience and honored the bravery and resiliency of those who took on these challenges head-on. The High Middle Ages ballads allowed people to praise individuals who showed strength in the face of suffering and explore the mysteries of life via their poetic expressions and narrative. In conclusion, Julian of Norwich, the Saint Crispin’s Day speech, and the ballads of the High Middle Ages all shed light on the attitudes of that time. Julian of Norwich emphasized the importance of divine love and God’s involvement in one’s life. The Saint Crispin's Day speech reflected the virtue of chivalry and how honor/courage strengthens it. Lastly, the ballads celebrated heroic actions and approached death and danger as an integral part of life. These three pieces of exemplary literature provide a great understanding of the attitudes of this time.