Medievalism is the study of the middle Ages

Is it Possible to know what actually was controversial, the middle Ages? On the one hand, it is represented in our minds the magnificent tournaments, noble knights and fine ladies, and on the other – epidemics of plague, dance of death and riotous carnivals. But is it really? This question is answered by one of the sections of history – medieval studies.

What is medieval studies

If translated from Latin the name of this historical disciplines, it becomes clear that medieval studies-is the science of the Middle ages. First and foremost, it is meant that scholars of the middle ages (the so-called experts in this field) consider the history of Western Europe in the period from V to XV century, in fact, the story of the Catholic world. It should be noted that in the Soviet science the era of the Middle ages extend until the beginning of the New time, that is, until the XVIII century. However, in part, Medievalists studying the history of the New time.

In the second place, these scientists are also exploring other time periods, for example, the middle Ages, but is a designation of medieval studies is used much less frequently. However, modern Medievalists tend to view their businesses as more global, not limited to the European Middle ages. In addition to the history of countries in this era, medieval studies encompasses numerous historical disciplines – sfragistic, historical demography, genealogy, medieval philosophy, heraldry, history, literature, theatre, art and other ancillary Sciences.

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Brief history of development of science in the West

Interest in the Middle ages first appeared in the Renaissance era, when the middle Ages began to identify as one of the historical periods (with this development connected with the name of Flavio Biondo). In XVII-XVIII centuries all became more qualitative approach to the sources (their number was significantly increased on the background of a General interest in their own “dark” of the past). Formed a critical look at them, there is an additional disciplines, such as numismatics, genealogy, and others. A special role was played by scientists and humanists, applying the developed methods of analysis sources and the so-called “Church scholars”, which contributed to the increase in the number of sources. In the XVIII century was dominated by romantic and idealized view on the Middle ages, in contrast to the position of the enlightenment, which created additional interest by this time.

Closer to the XIX century it was already possible to say that medieval studies – a full-fledged scientific discipline. During this period, historians have actively sought to archives, extracting new sources of information that contributed to the growth in the number of historical studies, the formation of the national historical schools. As the main scientific paradigm is applied positivist approach to the study of the topic. In the early twentieth century interest in the middle Ages focuses on a particular person, so, in the 1930-ies arises “school of history" (shortly after the appearance of the magazine, founded by Marc Block and Lucien Devrom), so that any new scientific directions. In addition, in the twentieth century, a critical school of medieval studies, apply a Marxist looks – the latter found its bright reflection in Soviet historiography.

A Few words about the domestic medieval studies

The Study of the middle Ages in Russia has acquired a scientific character in the 1st half of the XIX century. Special attention was paid to the socio-economic history, in particular, stood out by “Russian agricultural school" that better meet the requirements of historical realities. In the twentieth century develops a Marxist approach to medieval studies, it is not the best way affected the objectivity of the research, observed that in Soviet historiography. In part we can say that the scientific works of the Soviet period was opportunistic, but as the study of the middle Ages was not the actual material of the research, and the special oppression of an ideology it did not feel myself. Therefore, we cannot say that medieval studies in the Soviet Union has not made progress in studying the social aspects of the middle Ages, century this period was extended by Soviet scientists until the French revolution (1779), a watershed era between the Middle ages and the New time.

Basic issues medieval studies

Now scientists Medievalists conducting research in new directions, such as microhistory, psychohistory, economy of the Middle ages, gender relations, the history of everyday life and other specific areas.

Medieval studies at the present time

Today around the world there are research centers of the middle Ages that are attached to major universities, or research centers. Each of them was formed during the formation of national schools of the study of the Middle ages and, accordingly, for them, medieval studies – the study of national specifics of this period and the country's role in world history. In recent years, the middle Ages is increasingly seen in a global context, aided by the numerous conferences which bring together scientists from different countries, that is, so formed “supranational” connection. In Russia there is a national Association of Medievalists, produced a magazine called "Middle ages", which has existed since 1942.