Inventions in the Middle Ages Types of Middle Ages InventionsThe Middle Ages inventions were numerous and major developments were made in the areas of: Middle Ages Weaponry - Different Armor and weapons were invented by the war like nations of Medieval EuropeSiege Weapon Inventions - The Inventions were brought from the crusades and developed to suit Medieval siege warfareNautical Inventions - A huge number of nautical inventions were made enabling the Age of ExplorationFarming Inventions - Increased Medieval food productionClocks and Timekeeping inventionsThe Printing Press - probably the most important of the Middle Ages inventions List of Inventions in the Middle AgesThe list of inventions in the Middle Ages reflect the growing scientific and technical advances of the Medieval era. List of Inventions in the Middle Ages Names of Medieval Inventions - Description of Medieval Inventions Gunpowder - Gunpowder led to the invention of the cannon Silk - Silk changed the clothing in the Middle Ages
Websites - Central Library - Catalogue - WebPath Express - (search) Middle ages or Dark Ages Inventions in the Middle Ages - The Finer Times From the invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066 right through to the beginning of the Tudor dynasty in 1485 a lot of wars took place during the Middle Ages, and with war comes the development of technology, weaponry, medicine and so much more. The Middle Ages account for several centuries of human innovation and inspiration, and a vast number off innovations came from this particular historical period. The Middle Ages may have been bloody, but it led to the great changes in the way wars were fought and the tools that were used to wage battle and protect troops. During this time we know that there was disruption and change to the church, and the period saw considerable changes to ruling monarchies, leadership and ownership. Pestilence and plague created a change in medicine, farming and housekeeping, and even the peasants were able to change the way that they were perceived and treated. Types of Inventions Weaponry and War Related Inventions Other important weaponry inventions include:
Print Resources at Central Library - Catalogue - Library Search - (search) Middle Ages Inventions Timeline: Middle Ages Innovations Though there is a dispute as to the exact years that bookend the Middle Ages, most sources say 500 A.D. to 1450 A.D. Many history books call this time the Dark Ages as it reflected a lull in learning and literacy, but, in fact, there were plenty of inventions and highlights during this time. The time period was known for its famine, plague, feuding and warring, namely the biggest period of bloodshed was during the Crusades. The church was the overwhelming power in the West and the most educated people were the clergy. Paper Money as Currency In 1023, the first government-issued paper money was printed in China. Movable Type Printing Press Although Johannes Gutenberg is usually credited with inventing the first printing press about 400 years later, it was, in fact, Han Chinese innovator Bi Sheng (990–1051) during the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127), who gave us the world's first movable type printing press technology. Magnetic Compass Buttons for Clothing Numbering System Gunpowder Formula
Middle Ages Medieval Inventions Until the end of the Middle Ages, all books were produced by hand - there was simply no alternative. The finest books were (literally) written by monks, and most large monasteries - including St Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, where writing materials have been found - had scriptoria (writing rooms). Paper was rare in England until around 1450, so books were written on scraped animal skins, called parchment or vellum, using pens made of metal or bone or quills from the feathers of a goose or swan. Manuscripts (which means 'written by hand') 'illuminated' in rich colours, like the famous Anglo-Saxon Gospels made at Lindisfarne Priory, could be very beautiful, but took years to complete; producing even ordinary books was very time consuming, and therefore very expensive. All this changed when the printing press - using movable type of individual letters which could be arranged to form words - was invented in Germany in about 1439.
Pathways, Civilizations Through Time Ten Medieval Inventions that Changed the World - Medievalists.net Ten Inventions from the Middle Ages that have had lasting importance, even to the present-day. 1. Mechanical Clock Timekeeping devices have emerged since the ancient world, but it was not until the Middle Ages that the technology was invented that allowed for mechanical clocks to accurately keep track of time. The knowledge of not only what hour it was, but even what minute and second it was, would change the way people scheduled their days and work patterns, especially in urban areas. 2. While printing technology had been developed in 11th century China, it was the 15th century German Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press that started a new era of the mass production of books. 3. Gunpowder was invented in China sometime between the 9th and 11th centuries, and it did not take long it to be used in weapons. 4. While mills were in used from antiquity, it would be in the Early Middle Ages that they became very popular. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Learn more: Time and Clocks in the Middle Ages
Monks and Monasteries 18 Inventions of the Middle Ages That Changed The World After the fall of Rome in the West during the 5th Century AD, the power vacuum it created forced its former conquests into centuries of bitter warfare, famine, disease, and strife. Yet despite the constant fear of death, there was enough calm during the Middle Ages for great leaps forward in science and invention. These 18 inventions of the Middle Ages are prime examples. Some of them were so important that they would pave the way, ultimately, to the modern world we live in. The following list is far from exhaustive and in no particular order. 1. The printing press is probably the most important invention of the Middle Ages. Although Johannes Guttenberg's famous press was developed in the 15th Century it can trace its history back to 3rd Century China. 2. To anyone who has ever visited the Middle East will attest coffee is a huge part of their culture. Soon after coffee houses would spring up everywhere with coffee being introduced to Europe in the early modern period. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Africa before Transatlantic Enslavement The Transatlantic Slave trade not only distorted Africa’s economic development it also distorted views of the history and importance of the African continent itself. It is only in the last fifty years that it has been possible to redress this distortion and to begin to re-establish Africa’s rightful place in world history. The African continent is now recognised as the birthplace of humanity and the cradle of civilization. We still marvel at the great achievements of Kemet, or Ancient Egypt, for example, one of the most notable of the early African civilizations, which first developed in the Nile valley over 5000 years ago. However, even before the rise of Kemet it seems likely that an even more ancient kingdom, known as Ta Seti, existed in what is today Nubia in Sudan. This may well have been the earliest state to exist anywhere in the world. By the 15th century the African continent was already one of great of diversity. Negative views Early achievements Egypt The rise of Islam
The Death of Magellan, 1521 The Death of Magellan, 1521 Born in Portugal, Ferdinand Magellan took part in a number of Portuguese expeditions exploring and conquering the East Indies during the early 1500s. By 1517, however, he found himself out of favor with King Emanuel and shifted his allegiance to King Charles I of Spain. On September 20, 1520, Magellan led a flotilla of five ships with a crew of 250 out of the Spanish port of Sancar de Barrameda. Magellan didn't live to reach his goal - he lost his life while battling natives on an island in the Philippines. Our only immediate knowledge of Magellan's journey comes from the diary of the Italian Antonio Pigafetta. Searching for a way to control the native population after he leaves the island, Magellan persuades one of the local chiefs to convert to Christianity (referred to by Antonio as the "Christian King"). Magellan orders an attack but miscalculates. men remained behind to guard the boats.