Knowledge, Truth, & Power in the High Middle Ages [click the plus sign to comment & remember to s...

1. How does the Besançon Episode illustrate changes in imperial-papal politics? What has changed between the Carolingian period and the twelfth century that may help explain these new tensions?

1.1. I think they main thing we still see is that people still lust for power, but we can see how there is now a better way to decide who should be an authority figure, and we see how people get to choose so others won't fight over those positions anymore. - Robin Mosher

1.2. The boldness of resistance against the pope I think Is the biggest change. Barbarossa tried to block people leaving to go to the apostolic see. He also infront of the popes delegates told them to get out and leave the country, so he got way more bold. -Samuel White

1.3. The power the empiror had created a power struggle with the papacy. For they could denounce eachother if one thinks the other was dealing in a unjust way toward them. -Adam Roberts

1.3.1. The relationship between the emperor and the pope changed over time. During the Carolingian period, especially under Charlemagne, their relationship was relatively cooperative. Charlemagne was crowned by Pope Leo III in 800, symbolizing a mutually beneficial alliance. The pope gained protection, and the emperor received religious legitimacy. However, by the twelfth century, the relationship had become more contentious, with both the Papacy and the Empire asserting competing claims to ultimate authority. The Investiture Controversy exemplifies this shift from cooperation to conflict. -Clio Liu

1.4. The increase of intelligence and individuals willingness to learn was a major factor towards the shift of attitudes within imperial-papal politics. As individuals learn more, more critical thinking occurs. There is more to question within a religion as topics are more well understood. -Baylee Vieth

1.5. Abelard and Heloise's relationship demonstrates the complex nature of universities as institutions h eld within religious contexts. Abelard is a scholar w ho ends up taking a younger lover and pays the p rice for it. Abelard himself points out that many scholars end up dedicating themselves entirely to the pursuit of knowledge beyond everything else, and very few have families or lives outside of the university. As a result, we see scholars like Abelard and Heloise have to give up their academic pursuits in order to preserve their reputations. -Briana Lindauer

1.6. How does the relationship between Abelard and Heloise reveal ideas of love among the church and accademics? What are examples we can see today? Especally when faced with the unique situation of how educated Heloise was? -Shay Malone

1.6.1. I think it shows how there could very easily be a line crossed within that setting. It seemed that they went into the relationship believing it was love, and not knowing better acted recklessly. I think there was admiration in their interactions that sparked their relationship. Abelard saw her intelligence, and Heloise was enamoured with what Abelard taught her. I think it was very easy for them to blur the line between admiration and love because of how valued education and religion was at that time. - Madison Travis

1.6.2. Based on the background information, marriage was one of the sacraments people would participate in, but to me, being involved in a high church level or academic role seemed like it tops the need to participate in a marriage or love because it could compete with one's role in the church or academics. So, for Abelard and Heloise they both seem like they felt above love yet being in a relationship lowered their societal standing. Despite the unique situation of Heloise being highly educated and Abelard's student, he was the one who could not be in a relationship, but we can see how that could have hindered his ability as an academic since he could not seem to even live on his own.

2. The lives of Abelard and Heloise illuminate the roles of both cathedrals and universities to reflect the intellectual environment of the time. Their letters show a deep conversations about philosophical, theological, and ethical questions showing their love as well as their knowledge. -Bradley Schooley

3. How do the lives of Abelard and Heloise illuminate the role of cathedrals and universities as urban centers of knowledge/cultural production in the High Middle Ages?

3.1. I Have touched on the theme of power and I will do it again The lives of Abelard and Heloise show the search for power not only between the gendars but the church this story shows the laws of marrage and how one should submitt to their husbands after a marrage and how women tried to challenge that ideal such as asking for part of the wealth from their husbands. The Cathedrals and Universities also displays power in that cathedrals and universities influence the followers of the church in a large area by their laws and also the universities gave the young man an education to become independent through the church or through his skills-Matthew Schroer

3.2. The lives of Abelard and Heloise have a similar theme of power that cathedrals and universities similarly possess. These two individuals were extremely intelligent and aimed to learn more about the workings of man but they were in a very power hungry relationship. I would say that Abelard wanted to be with Heloise to gain power over her as he already possessed power within his career. He would always strive to hold more than what he could carry, similar to the ideals that are held within cathedrals and universities. -Baylee Vieth

3.3. The relationship between Abelard and Heloise show how the church has power of everyone else including universities. It shows how women have to follow marriage laws according to what the church says. - Robin Mosher

3.4. Heloise’s education was remarkable due to her intellectual abilities in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and other subjects. Her uncle Fulbert, a church canon, played a key role in facilitating her learning. This illustrates the impact of the cathedral on education and the opportunities for advanced learning in urban centers, although formal education for women was limited during that time. -Clio Liu

3.5. Both Abelard and Helois has similar thoughts as to bring knowledge of writing into a male dominated world. It also shows the differances and struggles of love between two and the communication through learning caused issues for them both.- Adam Roberts

3.6. Abelard shows the studious side of theological life, and how one could become a great name within the scholastic community by being a great theologian. Heloise shows the ability of high class women to break gender norms, especially with the aid of two powerful men - her uncle and Abelard. - Maggie Bennink

3.7. The lives of Abelard and Heloise really do illuminate the role of cathedrals and universities as urban centers of knowledge and culttural production. This is because much of the higher level learning during this time was conducted alongside the church. Universities and the church had close ties and the knowledge they produced they shared. This brought in a variety of people from all over to learn which also made the place a huge cultural location. Knowledge also grew as the universties were given resources from the church.-Simon Richardson

3.8. The lives of Abelard and Heloise show the rules of cathedrals and universities as urban centers of knowledge/ cultural prodution in the High Middle Ages by demostrating how education was used in the middle ages. Education ment power and ment that a person had a path to be educated expecually for women. -Olivia Pawlikowski

3.9. The story of Abelard and Heloise highlight the changing focus within the church when it comes to marriage and love. But this also shows the stagnation of that samething within the church. Heloise is highly educated due to her connections to the church but only educated in the ways that the church deems to be fit of a woman. -Kaya Lindberg

3.10. Abelar and Heloise show the power and control the Church has over the people of Medieval Europe. From marriage laws dictated by the church to a patriarchy that gives power to the man in the relationship and all power to lie to remove a problimatic wife or woman in your life. When it comes to the Universities, they focus alot on who can join and who can do certain types of works. Like how women had difficulty working in any medical way even at a point as midwives. -Michael Schwegerl

3.11. Ableard and Heloise story shoes the relationship that the church, education and love had at the time in the high middle ages. Ablelrad mentons how he admired Heloise's education and uses that to get close to her. Education was very important at this time. -Vahlera Lynch