Humanism: The Dark Ages

The term “Dark Ages,” a term once used by historians to describe the period in Europe between 476 CE, the fall of the Roman Empire, and 1400 CE, the birth of the Renaissance, seemingly implies that no accomplishments were made during this era; however, the origin of the phrase has a more philosophical connotation, which after further examination, does little to denigrate the significant contributions from the time period and serves mainly as an aesthetic judgment on the shift of cultural ideals (Dark).

In the early days of the Renaissance, the new philosophical concept of humanism was emerging (Kidner et al. 340). Turning their attention to the notion of what it means to be human, humanist scholars admired ancient Roman literature for its

Found throughout northern England, the Norse mill, a horizontally mounted waterwheel, ground grain without the need for gearing (History). Due to the requirement of a swift moving water to drive the heavy millstone, it is more probable that the majority of the 5,624 mills of the Domesday Book were vertical undershot mills (History). While initially used to grind grain, the mills evolved during subsequent centuries and were then used for processing cloth, sawing wood, and making oil (History). Their development made it possible to produce a greater quantity of goods through more efficient mechanized

The master of the trade would accept an apprentice, a young boy who would live with the master and his family while being trained in the craft (Guild). They were given food, shelter and education in return for working without monetary compensation (Guild). After a period of time, generally between five to nine years, the apprentice would become a journeyman, and could then go to work for another master and earn a wage (Guild). Guilds were highly competitive and oftentimes, masters would be selective of their apprentices, only selecting those with wealth or social status as well as familial ties