Medieval Europe
The late medieval period is difficult to define and different
authorities understand different things by the term. It is,
however, generally seen to end with the Renaissance. At the British
Museum, the years from about 1050-1540 are used to signify the
period. This is with the exception of material from Italy
where the Renaissance can be seen to begin around the middle of the
fifteenth century.
Two major art-historical styles characterise these years.
The first is Romanesque (around 1050-1200) and the second is Gothic
(around 1200-1540). The Romanesque style is identified by
solid, rounded forms and a love of pattern, as demonstrated by the
late twelfth century Lewis chessmen. The Gothic style places
greater emphasis on graceful, slender figures as shown by the
knight and his lady painted on the Shield of Parade towards the end
of the fifteenth century.
Late medieval Europe was Christian but the period also saw the
establishment of Muslim states on European soil for the first
time. Jews, Muslims and Christians lived peacefully in
southern Italy and Spain for several hundred years. The
resulting exchange of ideas saw the transfer of much scientific
knowledge to western Europe along with the translation of classical
texts and the transmission of chess.
The turbulence of war, religious intolerance and plague has
played a significant part in forming an unfavourable impression of
the period for many. However, the same period saw the
invention of printing and the foundation of modern institutions
such as schools, universities and hospitals.
Image caption: The Lewis Chessmen
Probably made in Norway, about AD 1150-1200. Found on the Isle of
Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland