Welcome to our blog!
this is a blog created by Ana, lauren and Samantha to inform you about medieval entertaiment. This includes Dance , feasts and festivals and Music.
enjoy!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Medieval music
Since creating music manuscripts was very expensive at the time due to the cost of parchment, manuscripts were mainly made from wealthy institutions. These institutions mainly include churches and things such as monastries. At the start of the era, the music is said to be monophonic and homorhythmic. With lyrics and accompanied by instruments.
Instruments
Instruments used in medieval performances were things still used today.
instruments such as The flute this instrument was made out of wood in those times apposed to metal or silver which is what the flute is made from today, this could be made as a side-blow or end-blow instrument. The recorder and the Gemshorn are two very similar instruments used in medieval times. The Gemshorn is similar to the recorder as it has holes on its front, though it doesnt belong to the same family. The pan flute was also a popular instrument in the medieval times, these instruments were made out of wood back then.
Medieval music also uses many string instruments. This includes instruments such as lute, mandora,gittern and psaltery. Dulcimers and and zither were a very similar structue to the psaltery.
The Hurdy gurdy was a mechanical violin which used a wooden wheel attached to a crank. Instruments without sound boxes were also popular in these times such as the jews harp. Early versions of the modern organ, fiddle and trombone( sackbut) also were existent in the medieval times.
Music Theory
Previously in the medieval times music was organised into "longs" and "Breves". The most famous music theorist of that time was Johannes de Garlandia he was the author of a music book. A German theorist of a later period, franco of cologne, was the first to describe a system of notation in which differently shaped notes have entirely different rhythmic values. There are a number of other things which became existent in these times through many other famous people.
Genres
In the era music is both sacred and secular. Although most secular music didnt survive till today.
Chant tradition
Chant (or plainsong) is a monophonic sacred form of music which represents the music of the church in the early medieval period. The jewish singing of pslams was a big influence on medieval christian chanting. Chant developed in european countries such as Rome, Spain, Gaul, Milan and ireland. These chants were created to support religous masses and liturgies. Different countries had different chant styles. In spain Mozarabic chant was used influenced by north african music. Gaulatic chant was used in Gaul and Celtic chant was used in ireland and great britain.
Liturgical Drama
another tradition which developed in the early middle ages was liturgical drama. This was music played with stories which were often religious and told many stories. This often included music, intruments, singing, acting, speaking ect.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Medieval Dance
Amongst the many types of entertainment that took place, dance was one of the most active and common social activity to occur. Apart from social reasons it was performed for various other reasons which include:
Amongst the many types of entertainment that took place, dance was one of the most active and common social activity to occur. Apart from social reasons it was performed for various other reasons which include:
- tradition
- culture
- religion
- celebration
- physical fitness
- military training, it was used because of the stamina it built,agility it required and also the fast footwork.
Often dance, being a form of human expression was performed at parties, celebrations or coronations to express feelings of joy and praise. It became a normal part of everday life since most of it occured at after dinner dances and other social events.
Dances
Although records that dance occured in the middle ages is hard to come buy, evidence has been acquired through varius forms such as art adn written works by historians such as Aristotle. From this evidence the following dances and some of their oigins can be named:
- Estampida, Spain
- Saltarello, Italy
- The Nota, England
- The Round, France
- Grocheio
- Pizochara
- Piva
- Ductia
- Ronde
- Farandole
Impact
Throughout the middle ages the importance of courtesy was crucial. Nowadays medieval dance is taught sometimes to show girls and boys the important of courtesy and the respectful way opposites sexes should treat each other as shown in the illustration above. Men were expected to behave in a courtly manner and women in an elegant manner.
Medieval dance is also taught as an active way of teaching history. Since evidence of medieval dance is limited some choose to teach its artform as a way of maintaining its existence amongst history in generations to come.
Bibliography
http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/dance.htm#Simpledance
http://www.the-orb.net/encyclop/culture/music/kendall.htm
http://www.freeflowdance.com/medievaldance.php?&width=1024
http://www.shoshone.k12.id.us/medieval/dance.htm#Simpledance
All websites were viewed between the following dates: 29th September & 28th October, 2008.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Medieval Feasts, Fairs and Festivals
In the middle ages Feasts, Fairs and Festivals were the centre of entertainment and social activity. Many of the following types of entertainment, such as music, dance and games, were undertaken during some of these Feasts, Fairs and Festivals. Here are some of the better-known medieval Feasts, Fairs and Festivals:
Twelfth Night
Twelfth night is celebrated 12 days after Christmas. The celebration commences with the choosing of a king and queen. This is done by distributing two cakes. One to females and one to males. Inside each cake is a bean or bead the male and female who have this item in their piece of cake become the king and queen of the twelfth night celebrations.
Secondly, a feast is held. According to ostgardor the feasts is similar to this: On the tables: Bread Butter Cheese First serving:
Fish Fungus in pastry
Syrosye (bread crumb, sugar and cherry paste)
Second serving:
Pullets (poultry) roasted with cold sage
Rice endored (saffron rice)
Salad
Third serving:
Venison sausages with compot (sauce)
Green porray (green leafy vegetables)
Sambocarde (cream and elder flower pie)
After the feast everyone toasted to the trees. This was done by either going outside and standing around the oldest tree or having a real or artificial tree brought inside. People would toast the tree/s with a cup of cider and three pieces of seed cake. After eating one piece of cake and offing the remaining to the tree, they would circle the tree and sing. After this the would pour the remaining cider on the tree roots and return to festivities. Mumming is also an important tradition on twelfth night. local peasants and nobles and travelling professionals, alike, would perform plays and skits. An example of this is the Hobby Horse, where a performer mimicked a mounted knight. To conclude the event all of the candles lighting the room were doused and a single light, which may have been a candle on a pole or lamp on a pulley, would appear. Three actors would follow the candle and act out the scene of the three wise men following the star of Bethlehem.
St Valentine’s Day
The celebration of st Valentine’s Day differs, but the underlying meaning was always the same, love. People wore symbols of love around their necks such as lover’s knots or hearts.
The day was celebrated by decorating the hall with candles in hollowed out vegetables. The guest’s names, which were equal between male and female, were placed in separate dishes and members of the opposite gender pulled out a name each. These couples were to be sweethearts for the year. After the couples were seated together around the table a feast was served. This included heart shaped cakes.
After the feast some games were played, these included passing around yarrow sprigs. If one received a healthy sprig they would be granted eternal love, if it were a wilted sprig it was said that they would never find true love. Another game is leaving a yarrow sprig that has been sprinkled with rosewater one your pillow overnight. If it was still healthy in the morning then it meant eternal love.
Easter
The preparations for Easter began on Ash Wednesday when ashes were spread on all who attended church. This marked the beginning of six weeks of abstinence and fasting for all people, including the nobles. Eggs laid during this time were hardboiled to preserve them for use on Easter.
On the day of Easter many people would get up early to watch the sun rise. Many members of the parish would stand by the church and sing hymns to welcome the sunlight. For people who could afford it, they would wear a new item or set of clothes to church.
A medieval church
For children, parents would hide hardboiled eggs for the children to hunt for. This game symbolises the apostles finding Jesus missing from his tomb. Other games were played too. These included egg rolling and parades. Easter was one of the very few days when no one had to work. It was tradition for the servants to present their lords with a small gift and in return the lord would hold a feast for all of the members of the house, including the servants.
May day
May day is a tradition that out dates Christianity and was widely celebrated well before medieval times. May day is celebrated to signify the end of winter, which means better times are soon to come.
The festivities would start on May Day eve, where there was a big bon fire, dancing, feasting and storytelling. On the morning of each May Day, young men and women would go into the forest to collect wood and flowers for the celebrations later on in the day. Villages would compete to see who could bring bake the largest piece of wood, this would be used as the maypole. A May Day queen would be chosen from all of the young single women, often by a man who had won a tournament. She would be crowned with flowers and paraded around the village. Flowers, trees, and animals, as a sign of growth and new life, were a consistent theme of May Day. Many young men would give the girl that they liked a small tree decorated with streamers, though if the streamers were white it was a sign of hatred for the girl.
Toward the end of the day there was a feast and men performed dances, often in animal costumes.
All Hallow’s Eve/ Samhain
Note: samhain means the end of summer in Gaelic. It can be pronounced many ways such as 'sow-in' (in Ireland), or 'sow-een' (in Wales), or 'sav-en' (in Scotland), or 'sam-hane' (in the U.S where Gaelic is not a commonly spoken language). Although all hallows is derived from the Christian view of this celebration where they refused to celebrate all of the dead, only those who where blessed or hallowed.
This is exactly opposite to May Day on the wheel of the year (medieval calendar system) and therefore the opposite to this bright and happy occasion. All hallow’s eve (followed by the less important all hallow’s day) celebrates and honours the dead. On all hallow’s eve a large gathering would be held. The hall would have a small bonfire or a large candelabra (many candles arranged together) in the center of the room.
A bonfire
A feast was held with man apple dished served. This is because apples were the main theme for the celebration. Games would be played such as apple bobbing and peeling an apple in a spiral and throwing it over the left shoulder, it is said that it would land in the shape of your true love’s initials. It was also a tradition to sleep with an apple beneath your pillow, you would dream of your true lover, then getup and sit outside to eat the apple before the sun rose. If you became cold your desire for this person would not be granted.
Christmas Christmas
celebrations begin at Christmas Eve and ends on the twelfth night. This is because the number 12 is associated with Christmas, for example there are twelve candles, twelve kisses or gifts exchanged under the mistletoe, twelve wassailings (simmilar to caroling, done to wake the apple cider tree and scare evil spirits), twelve courses of the feast, and twelve sprigs of holly per bunch.
One popular tradition is the Yule log; this is an extremely large log that can be burned for the entire 12 days. The Yule log is decorated and carved before it is burnt. At the Christmas feast 12 wassailings are performed around the hall by singers and musicians. This is done while holding a box containing gifts as offerings. At the feast mince pies would be eaten, these were made out of meat (commonly venison) fruit and spices. Also, for those who could afford it goose was eaten. Christmas was an extremely religious event with all Christians attending church on Christmas Eve and day.
Bibliography:
Twelfth Night
Twelfth night is celebrated 12 days after Christmas. The celebration commences with the choosing of a king and queen. This is done by distributing two cakes. One to females and one to males. Inside each cake is a bean or bead the male and female who have this item in their piece of cake become the king and queen of the twelfth night celebrations.
Secondly, a feast is held. According to ostgardor the feasts is similar to this: On the tables: Bread Butter Cheese First serving:
Fish Fungus in pastry
Syrosye (bread crumb, sugar and cherry paste)
Second serving:
Pullets (poultry) roasted with cold sage
Rice endored (saffron rice)
Salad
Third serving:
Venison sausages with compot (sauce)
Green porray (green leafy vegetables)
Sambocarde (cream and elder flower pie)
After the feast everyone toasted to the trees. This was done by either going outside and standing around the oldest tree or having a real or artificial tree brought inside. People would toast the tree/s with a cup of cider and three pieces of seed cake. After eating one piece of cake and offing the remaining to the tree, they would circle the tree and sing. After this the would pour the remaining cider on the tree roots and return to festivities. Mumming is also an important tradition on twelfth night. local peasants and nobles and travelling professionals, alike, would perform plays and skits. An example of this is the Hobby Horse, where a performer mimicked a mounted knight. To conclude the event all of the candles lighting the room were doused and a single light, which may have been a candle on a pole or lamp on a pulley, would appear. Three actors would follow the candle and act out the scene of the three wise men following the star of Bethlehem.
St Valentine’s Day
The celebration of st Valentine’s Day differs, but the underlying meaning was always the same, love. People wore symbols of love around their necks such as lover’s knots or hearts.
The day was celebrated by decorating the hall with candles in hollowed out vegetables. The guest’s names, which were equal between male and female, were placed in separate dishes and members of the opposite gender pulled out a name each. These couples were to be sweethearts for the year. After the couples were seated together around the table a feast was served. This included heart shaped cakes.
After the feast some games were played, these included passing around yarrow sprigs. If one received a healthy sprig they would be granted eternal love, if it were a wilted sprig it was said that they would never find true love. Another game is leaving a yarrow sprig that has been sprinkled with rosewater one your pillow overnight. If it was still healthy in the morning then it meant eternal love.
Easter
The preparations for Easter began on Ash Wednesday when ashes were spread on all who attended church. This marked the beginning of six weeks of abstinence and fasting for all people, including the nobles. Eggs laid during this time were hardboiled to preserve them for use on Easter.
On the day of Easter many people would get up early to watch the sun rise. Many members of the parish would stand by the church and sing hymns to welcome the sunlight. For people who could afford it, they would wear a new item or set of clothes to church.
A medieval church
For children, parents would hide hardboiled eggs for the children to hunt for. This game symbolises the apostles finding Jesus missing from his tomb. Other games were played too. These included egg rolling and parades. Easter was one of the very few days when no one had to work. It was tradition for the servants to present their lords with a small gift and in return the lord would hold a feast for all of the members of the house, including the servants.
May day
May day is a tradition that out dates Christianity and was widely celebrated well before medieval times. May day is celebrated to signify the end of winter, which means better times are soon to come.
The festivities would start on May Day eve, where there was a big bon fire, dancing, feasting and storytelling. On the morning of each May Day, young men and women would go into the forest to collect wood and flowers for the celebrations later on in the day. Villages would compete to see who could bring bake the largest piece of wood, this would be used as the maypole. A May Day queen would be chosen from all of the young single women, often by a man who had won a tournament. She would be crowned with flowers and paraded around the village. Flowers, trees, and animals, as a sign of growth and new life, were a consistent theme of May Day. Many young men would give the girl that they liked a small tree decorated with streamers, though if the streamers were white it was a sign of hatred for the girl.
Toward the end of the day there was a feast and men performed dances, often in animal costumes.
All Hallow’s Eve/ Samhain
Note: samhain means the end of summer in Gaelic. It can be pronounced many ways such as 'sow-in' (in Ireland), or 'sow-een' (in Wales), or 'sav-en' (in Scotland), or 'sam-hane' (in the U.S where Gaelic is not a commonly spoken language). Although all hallows is derived from the Christian view of this celebration where they refused to celebrate all of the dead, only those who where blessed or hallowed.
This is exactly opposite to May Day on the wheel of the year (medieval calendar system) and therefore the opposite to this bright and happy occasion. All hallow’s eve (followed by the less important all hallow’s day) celebrates and honours the dead. On all hallow’s eve a large gathering would be held. The hall would have a small bonfire or a large candelabra (many candles arranged together) in the center of the room.
A bonfire
A feast was held with man apple dished served. This is because apples were the main theme for the celebration. Games would be played such as apple bobbing and peeling an apple in a spiral and throwing it over the left shoulder, it is said that it would land in the shape of your true love’s initials. It was also a tradition to sleep with an apple beneath your pillow, you would dream of your true lover, then getup and sit outside to eat the apple before the sun rose. If you became cold your desire for this person would not be granted.
Christmas Christmas
celebrations begin at Christmas Eve and ends on the twelfth night. This is because the number 12 is associated with Christmas, for example there are twelve candles, twelve kisses or gifts exchanged under the mistletoe, twelve wassailings (simmilar to caroling, done to wake the apple cider tree and scare evil spirits), twelve courses of the feast, and twelve sprigs of holly per bunch.
One popular tradition is the Yule log; this is an extremely large log that can be burned for the entire 12 days. The Yule log is decorated and carved before it is burnt. At the Christmas feast 12 wassailings are performed around the hall by singers and musicians. This is done while holding a box containing gifts as offerings. At the feast mince pies would be eaten, these were made out of meat (commonly venison) fruit and spices. Also, for those who could afford it goose was eaten. Christmas was an extremely religious event with all Christians attending church on Christmas Eve and day.
Bibliography:
- Castles, July 20 2005, 4-9-08, http://www.castles.me.uk/copyright.htm Mostly medieval, 1998, Wallace.S, 28-8-08, http://mostly-medieval.com/explore/jan.htm
- Østgarðr, 2000, society for creative anachronism, 30-8-08, http://www.ostgardr.org/
- Suite 101, 21-4-08, Bellerby.R, 2-9-08, http://medievalhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/may_day_in_medieval_time.
- Transmutations, 2005, Minimus. R, 3-9-08, http://transmutations.blogspot.com/ by Lauren McDonald
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