Is it possible to find out what the controversial era of the Middle Ages really was? On the one hand, it is represented in our minds by magnificent tournaments, noble knights and exquisite ladies, and on the other hand, by plague epidemics, dance of death and rampant carnivals. But is it really so? This question is answered by one of the sections of history - medieval studies.
What is medieval studies
If you translate the name of this historical discipline from Latin, it will become clear that medieval studies is the science of the Middle Ages. First of all, it means that medieval scholars (as specialists in this field are called) consider the history of Western Europe in the period from the 5th to the 15th centuries, in fact, the history of the Catholic world. It should be noted here that in Soviet science the era of the Middle Ages is extended until the beginning of the New Age, that is, until the 18th century. However, in part, medievalists study the history of the New Age.
Secondly, these scientists are also exploring other time periods,for example, the era of the Middle Ages, but this designation of medieval studies is used much less frequently. However, modern medievalists tend to view their field of activity as more global, not limited to the European Middle Ages. In addition to the history of countries in this era, medieval studies includes numerous historical disciplines - sphragistics, historical demography, genealogy, medieval philosophy, heraldry, history of literature, theater, art and other auxiliary sciences.
A Brief History of Science in the West
Interest in the Middle Ages first appeared in the Renaissance, when the years of the Middle Ages began to be singled out as one of the historical periods (the name of Flavio Biondo is associated with this innovation). In the 17th-18th centuries, the approach to sources became more and more qualitative (their number increased significantly against the background of a general interest in their own "dark" past). A critical view of them was formed, additional disciplines appeared, such as numismatics, genealogy and others. A special role here was played by humanist scientists, who applied the methods of analysis of sources developed by them, and the so-called "church scholars", who contributed to an increase in the number of sources. In the 18th century, a romantic and idealized view of the Middle Ages prevailed, as opposed to the position of the Enlightenment, which created additional interest at that time.
Closer to the 19th century, it could already be said that medieval studies is a full-fledged scientific discipline. During this period, historians activelyturned to the archives, extracting new sources of information, which contributed to the growth in the number of historical research, the formation of national historical schools. As the main scientific paradigm, a positivist approach to the study of the topic is applied. At the beginning of the 20th century, interest in the Middle Ages focuses on a specific person, so, in the 1930s, the “Annals School” appeared (shortly after the emergence of the journal founded by Mark Blok and Lucien Febvre), as a result of which new scientific directions arose. In addition, in the twentieth century, a critical school of medieval studies was formed, and Marxist views spread - the latter were clearly reflected in Soviet historiography.
A few words about Russian medieval studies
The study of the Middle Ages in Russia acquired a scientific character in the 1st half of the 19th century. Particular attention was paid to socio-economic history, in particular, the “Russian agrarian school” was singled out, which perfectly corresponded to the requirements of historical realities. In the 20th century, a Marxist approach developed in medieval studies, which did not have the best effect on the objectivity of research, which is observed in Soviet historiography. In part, it can be said that the scientific works of the Soviet era were opportunistic, but since the study of the Middle Ages was not relevant research material, it did not experience any particular oppression of ideology. Therefore, it cannot be said that medieval studies in the USSR did not achieve success in studying the social aspects of the Middle Ages, the centuries of this era wereextended by Soviet scientists until the French Revolution (1779), a turning point between the Middle Ages and the New Age.
Main Issues of Medieval Studies
Medieval scholars are now conducting research in new areas, such as microhistory, psychohistory, economics of the Middle Ages, gender relations, the history of everyday life and other specific areas.
Medieval Studies at present
Today, there are centers for the study of the Middle Ages around the world, which are attached to large educational institutions or research centers. Each of them was formed during the formation of national schools for the study of the Middle Ages and, accordingly, for them, medieval studies are a study of the national specifics of this period and the role of the country in world history. In recent years, the Middle Ages are increasingly considered in a global context, which is facilitated by numerous conferences in which scientists from various countries take part, that is, in this way “supranational” ties are formed. In Russia, there is the All-Russian Association of Medievalists, and the magazine "Middle Ages" is published, which has existed since 1942.
