Also known as the Medieval Period Occurred from 4001400 Three classes of people Nobility Clergy Peasants Nobility The nobility were rich landowners These are the people we hear about in legends of knights in shining armor ID: 649621
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Slide1
The Middle AgesSlide2
Middle Ages
Also known as the Medieval Period
Occurred from 400—1400
Three classes of people
Nobility
Clergy
PeasantsSlide3
Nobility
The nobility were rich landowners.
These are the people we hear about in legends of knights in shining armor. Slide4
Clergy
The clergy was the second class of people in the Medieval Period.
Made up of:
P
riests who worked in the church .
Monks who lived in monasteries.Slide5
Clergy Con’t
Slide6
Peasants
Most people belonged to this classification.
The Peasant class was made up of poor farmers. The average peasant lived to be roughly 30 years old.
They ate turnips and black bread. Slide7
Sacred Music
During the Middle Ages, the church was the pivotal part of the people’s lives.
Because of that, the music of the church was very important.
Sacred music of the Medieval Period was called
plainsong
and consisted of a single melody with words in Latin. Slide8
Plainsong
The melody of plainsong was simple so the people could easily understand the words.
Plainsong was part of the Roman Catholic liturgy, including the service known as the
Mass
.
Plainsong was written down by monks on four line staves using square notes called
neumes
.
Named in honor of Pope Gregory the First, the most well-known form of plainsong is called:
Gregorian ChantSlide9
Agnus Dei—example of Gregorian ChantSlide10
Secular Music
Non-religious, or
Secular
music also became very popular during the Middle Ages.
Minstrels
traveled from castle to castle singing songs, performing tricks, and telling stories.
Their songs and stories were about life, love, and chivalry.
Like plainsong, secular songs were simple and had only one melody.
They were usually in the common language of the peasants, were faster than plainsong, and often had instrumental accompaniment.Slide11
Minstrels
Because of the way Minstrels were able to pass along information, they actually became more respected members of the growing Middle Class.Slide12
The Middle Ages Come to An End…
During the 1000 year period of the Medieval Period, many changes to the way of life occurred:
Life became more civilized
People focused more on themselves and less on religion.
In music,
polyphony
began to be developed.
Polyphony
means that two or more melodies are used instead of the single melody of plainchant, now also referred to as monophony.