The Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period,
started in the 5th century and lasted in the 15th century. It is of great value
in the history of Europe and is regarded as the middle period of three
traditional divisions of Western history: the modern period, the medieval
period and classical antiquity. The Middle Ages can be divided into the Early,
High, and Late stages. In the 5th century, the Western Roman Empire collapsed
and education and learning deteriorated in different cities. In those days,
monastic schools and monasteries were given the utmost importance.
Later on, in the 12th century, new cities and towns were
built and trade flourished across Europe. In the meantime, colleges and
universities began growing in number, and this rise was the result of the
Crusades when Christians had come across the collection of ancient Greek and
Roman writings. Universities emerged as the center of theology, and with time,
they began incorporating more pagan learning in the teaching, such as Aristotle’s
extensive readings. The cathedral schools were established in the north of
France, and the clergy was trained to be a responsible citizen of tomorrow. Individuals
were required to gain more and more knowledge, and cathedral schools soon
became the center of learning.
As far as the curriculum is concerned, it should be
noticed that French cathedral schools began teaching what we now call liberal
arts: logic, geometry, grammar, astronomy, music, arithmetic, and rhetoric.
Students were encouraged to read authors like Virgil and Cicero. In the 13th
century, Robert Sorbonne laid the foundation of a college in Paris in which
poor students were given admission in a large number. With time, the Sorbonne
College became the center of theological studies in France. By the end of the
Middle Ages, various colleges and universities were successfully established in
which students were provided with quality education along with financial
assistance.
