History of Christendom notes - 1/12

Charlemagne -

He fought 31 wars with the barbarians, 21 against the Muslims, and 10 against other rivals in the Frankish realm, all within a matter of a few years. He organized the Old Latin law, the Salic law, the Gothic law, and the Byzantium Law and made it all into a new law order. This is characteristic of a Christian kingdom. Christians must be separate and distinct among a world full of chaos (or even calm). We must look different. This means a different law, a different culture, a different overall. Parliament means to speak into the law or government.

He made it to where churches were very easily accessible. Churches were built everywhere with strong and solid pastors. He also made it to where the church now spoke in the Venacular language. Another thing that was introduced was the fame of homilarium. Charlemagne united the people religiously and so politically as well. Another thing he added were parishes.

Alcuin was someone who was greatly influenced by Charlemagne. He established parishes and schools call the Scriptoriums along with independent academies (some of which were residential).

Charlemagne advanced many churches and palaces, the education and arts, agriculture, trading and manufacturing, commercial redevelopment, communication, and transportation. By doing this, he was creating a strong, Christian culture, while becoming very powerful and even invincible.

The Muslims:

They had three holy cities: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem. Mecca was, however, the most holy. Muhammad would wander around Mecca seeking "wisdom and truth". He would "speak" to djinn (ghosts). In fact, the idea of Allah came from this other idea of ghosts. This is where he first originated.

At age 40, Muhammad had a sudden revelation. There was not multiple gods, but rather one god. Every religion was a part of the real religion and god. Muhammad spread out and gained followers.

In 622, there was an attempt on his life, but he did escape. At this point, he was exiled. This began his Hijra pilgrimage where he traveled to Medina. He dictated the Qur'an and a motivation for his followers to become a fighting band. In 630, they marched back for a conquest and cleansing fo the city for whoever wouldn't adapt to their belief. He established Allah and himself there. At this point, he was 60 years old. In 632, he died under "mysterious" circumstances. It is rumored that he married his cousin's daughter, although I found no evidence of this, I did find a young girl he married, Aisha, who became one of his wives at around age 8. Abu Baker, her father, was appointed Muhammad's successor and survived for 2 years before he too died under "mysterious" circumstances as well.In 634, Umar took over leading the religion. He had a fierce fighting force. the Byzantines moved out of Arabia and began fighting the Muslims. Umar began his great conquests but died rather quickly. Uthman also moved the group on even more, but also died rather suddenly. I sense a pattern.

At about this time, there began a succession of civil wars. The Shi'as and Sunnis were at wars with each other. They had each been pitted against the other. This is a religion that is filled with murders, assassinations, rebellions, and so forth. What does this tell you about the religion?

5 Tenets:
1) Allah - impersonal judge of the universe
2) Muhammad - ultimate prophet (though there was to be another prophet to come)
3) The truth revealed from Muhammad is the Qur'an
4) All believers are the Unma. They are saved by works which are judged by Allah. (Man is good and is saved by works)
5) Ji'had - the Holy War and the internal, fleshly struggle.

5 Pillars:
1) Shaha'dah - profession of faith. Allah is good and Muhammad is his prophet.
2) Sa'lat - prayers to Mecca
3) Za'kat - alms for the poor
4) Saw'm - fasting during the Ramadan season
5) Hajj - in their lifetime, every Muslim has to travel to Mecca.

There was conflicts between the Western liturgy. Dante, Shakespeare, Scott, Bunyan, Buchan, Milton, Chaucer, Cervantes.

The song of Roland - it is fiction and more inaccurate then most history books. It had great oral tradition, however. Fiction can be truer then fact. It's not being historical, but more moral.

Chansons de Gest - a culture with memory and cohesion which led to a code of chivalry.