The 12th-Century Renaissance

by C. Warren Hollister (Editor), Eva Matthews Sanford (Contributor), Bryce Lyon (Contributor)

Contents:
The twelfth century : renaissance or proto-renaissance? / Eva Matthews Sanford
Medieval real-estate developments and freedom / Bryce Lyon
On the Lombard communes / Otto of Freising
Medieval institutions in the modern world / C.H. McIlwain
On tyranny and tyrannicide (from Stateman's book) / John of Salisbury
The interest of the humanities (from Mind of the middle ages) / Frederick B. Artz
I live in grave anxiety / Beatriz de Dia
Two letters to Abelard / Heloise
Natural questions / Adelard of Bath
Also includes excerpts from the following : Renaissance of the twelfth century / Charles Homer Haskins
Renaissance and renascences in western art / Erwin Panofsky
The uses of the past / Herbert J. Muller
Feudal society / Marc Bloch
Charter of the rural commune of Lorris
Deeds of the kings of the English / William of Malmesbury
Allegory of love / C.S. Lewis
Story of my misfortunes / Peter Abelard
Heloise and Abelard / Etienne Gilson
Making of the middle ages / R.W. Southern
Evolution of Medieval thought / Dom David Knowles
Medieval panorama / G.G. Coulton
Wandering scholars / Helen Waddell

Genres: Medieval, History

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

A specialist in medieval English history, Charles Warren Hollister graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1951 and received his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1958. He was one of the founding members of the University of California Santa Barbara history department, where he taught until his retirement in 1994.

Reviews

[Walt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of excerpts from well-known Medieval scholars ca. 1969. I am disappointed that Hollister ultimately does not make an argument in this book and concludes with "it is up to the reader to decide..."
On the other hand, the excerpts do show how many Medievalists regard the 12th Century Renaissance. Each author's position is generally clear. I especially like Herbert Muller's line that the Dark Ages were so dark because there was no thought worthy of being called heresy. Despite Muller's wit and Coulton's cynicism, the collection was sometimes difficult to digest the dry academic writing of some.

[Adam Marischuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun debate book on the renaissance of the twelfth century

The basic underlying theme is that the Twelfth Century qualifies in the general sense as a "renaissance" and despite much criticism leveled at C.H. Haskin's thesis, it remains the standard interpretation of the period. One of my favourite lines is quotes in this regard, "and nothing is gained by the process which ascribes the Homeric poems to another poet of the same name." (p. 11)

Most of the selection of writings would be familiar to most people who have studied the Middle Ages. The list of authors who have contributed sections is rather impressive if a little date (1969). Most sections also contain primary sources from the era to illustrate the general theme or thrust of each section. Before each section Professor Hollister give a quick biography and helps situate the selection.

There is also quite a few images of architecture to demonstrate the evolution of Medieval architecture. But these pages are mostly a very basic introduction to the theme and the images (black and white on not particularly good paper) are rudimentary at best, but do get the job done.

The chapters are as follows:

Introduction

Part I: The Haskins Thesis

The Statement of the Thesis
1. Charles Homer Haskings The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century

Dissent and Qualification
2. Erwin Panofsky Renaissance and Renaissances in Western Art
3. Eva Matthews Sanford "The Twelfth-Century Renaissance or Proto-Renaissance?"
4. Herbert J. Fuller The Uses of the Past

Part II: What Happened in the Twelfth Century?

Economic Change
1. Marc Bloch Feudal Society
2. Bryce Lyon "Medieval Real-Estate Developments and Freedom
3. The Charter of the Rural Communities of Lorris
4. Otto of Freising "On the Lombard Communes"

Political Institutions and Political Theory
5. C.H. McIlwain "Medieval Institutions in the Modern World"
6. John of Salisbury "On Tyranny and Tyrannicide" from The Statesman's Book

Humanism
7. Frederick B. Artz "The Interest in the Humanities" from The Mind of the Middle Ages
8. William of Malmesbury The Deeds of the Kings of the English

Literature and Love
9. C.S Lewis The Allegory of Love
10. Beatriz de Dia "I Live in Grave Anxiety"
11. Peter Abelard The Story of My Misfortunes
12. Heloise two letters to Abelard
13. Etienne Gilson Héloïse and Abélard

Architecture and Sculpture
14. Romanesque Exterior: Facade of Notre Dame la Grande, Poitiers
15. Romanesque Interior: Notre Dame la Porte, Clermont-Ferrand
16. Romanesque Sculpture: Tympanum, Conques; Narthex Capital, St. Benoît-sur-Loire
17. Late Romanesque Interior: Nave, Durham Cathedral
18. Transitional Interior: Nave, Le Mans Cathedral
19. Early Gothic Interior: Nave, Laon Cathedral
20. Late Transitional Sculpture: Royal Portal, Chartres
21. High Gothic Sculpture: South Porch, Chartres
22. High Gothic Exterior: Facade and Chevet, Notre Dame, Paris
23. High Gothic Interior: Choir and Nave, Reims Cathedral
24. Italian Renaissance Exterior: Facade, St. Andrea Mantua

Rationalism
25. R.W. Southern The Making of the Middle Ages
26. Abelard of Bath "Natural Questions"
27. Dom David Knowles The Evolution of Medieval Thought
28. G.G. Coulton Medieval Panorama
29. Helen Waddell The Wandering Scholars

Conclusion

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated but useful overview of early and mid-20th century scholarship on the 12th century (from the standpoint of political theory, economics, literature, philosophy, architecture). Helpful bibliography, mostly for those interested in the history of medievalist academic research. The basic premise of the book (Can the cultural renewal of the 12th-c. be called a “Renaissance”?) Is too flawed and ahistorical to produce any worthwhile insights.