E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 26. A New Age concluded

Kent Kently
16 Jan 201703:05
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe 26th chapter of 'A Little History of the World' delves into the reign of Maximilian, the last knight, and a member of the Habsburg family. Maximilian's rule around 1500 is marked by the decline of feudal power as mercenaries replace vassals in warfare, leading to financial strain and borrowing from merchants. This shift in military strategy alienates knights, who feel obsolete. Despite these challenges, Maximilian is a romantic figure, embracing both chivalry and the burgeoning Renaissance art, exemplified by his admiration for Albrecht Dürer. The chapter concludes by likening the Middle Ages to a starry night, with the Renaissance dawning as a new, enlightened era, symbolized by the art and architecture emerging from Florence.

Takeaways
  • 🏰 The Swiss defeated Charles the Bold, marking a significant event in the history of the region.
  • 👑 Maximilian I, known as the 'Last Knight,' was a member of the Habsburg family, which had been steadily increasing in power since King Rudolf in 1438.
  • 📚 The Habsburgs' influence was so great that all German Emperors elected since then had been from their family.
  • 🤬 German noblemen and princes often caused trouble for the Habsburgs, including Maximilian.
  • ⚔️ Maximilian faced resistance from his vassals when he called upon them for military service.
  • 💰 With the advent of gunpowder and changing military dynamics, the traditional granting of land for military service became outdated.
  • 💰 Maximilian had to resort to using mercenaries, which were costly and loyal to the highest bidder.
  • 💵 This reliance on mercenaries led to financial strain, forcing Maximilian to borrow from rich merchants, which in turn improved his relationship with the towns.
  • 🗡️ The Knights felt sidelined and unnecessary as mercenaries became the primary military force.
  • 🎨 Maximilian had a deep appreciation for the arts and was particularly fond of Albrecht Durer, a German painter who had been influenced by Italian art.
  • 🌅 The script suggests that the Middle Ages can be seen as a 'starry night,' with the new era, starting in Florence, symbolizing a 'bright new dawn.'
Q & A

  • Who defeated Charles the Bold in the context of the script?

    -The Swiss defeated Charles the Bold.

  • What is the significance of the year 1500 in the script?

    -Around the year 1500, the German Emperor Maximilian, a member of the Habsburg family, was ruling and is known as the last knight.

  • Which family has been influential in the election of German Emperors since King Rudolf in 1438?

    -The Habsburg family has been influential in the election of German Emperors since King Rudolf in 1438.

  • Why did the German nobles and princes give the Habsburgs a lot of trouble?

    -The German nobles and princes gave the Habsburgs a lot of trouble because they were increasingly reluctant to accompany their Emperor into battle when commanded to do so.

  • What was the name of the German painter whom Maximilian admired?

    -Maximilian admired the German painter Albrecht Durer.

  • How did the arrival of gunpowder and the granting of land with bonded peasants affect the military?

    -The arrival of gunpowder and the granting of land with bonded peasants made the traditional chivalric military service outdated, leading to the use of paid soldiers or mercenaries.

  • Why did Maximilian use mercenaries instead of his vassals when he fought the French King for his Italian possessions?

    -Maximilian used mercenaries because they were professional soldiers who fought for money, and he needed a force that was reliable and not bound by the outdated feudal obligations of his vassals.

  • What was the economic consequence for Maximilian due to the use of mercenaries?

    -The use of mercenaries cost Maximilian a great deal of money that he didn't have, forcing him to borrow from rich merchants in the towns.

  • How did the relationship between the towns and the Knights change due to Maximilian's actions?

    -Maximilian's need to keep on good terms with the towns to borrow money upset the Knights, who felt increasingly unwanted and unneeded.

  • What was the impact of the new art and Albrecht Durer's work on the perception of Maximilian?

    -The new art and Albrecht Durer's work allowed for a more realistic and detailed portrayal of Maximilian, giving future generations a visual representation of what he looked like.

  • How is the transition from the Middle Ages to the new age described in the script?

    -The transition from the Middle Ages to the new age is described as moving from a starry night to a bright new dawn, with the new age beginning in Florence.

  • What additional resources are available for those interested in the content of the script?

    -There are playlists available for watching the videos in a series, including 'A Little History of the World,' 'The Dark is Rising,' 'The Once and Future King,' and 'The Sword in the Stone,' with more playlists coming soon.

Outlines
00:00
🏰 Maximilian I: The Last Knight and the Rise of Mercenaries

The first paragraph narrates the story of Maximilian I, the German Emperor around 1500, who was a member of the Habsburg family. The Habsburgs had increased their power and influence since King Rudolf in 1438, and their rule extended beyond Austria. Despite this, the German nobles and princes often challenged Maximilian. He faced difficulties in commanding his vassals into battle and instead turned to paid soldiers, known as mercenaries, who were more interested in plunder and payment than loyalty to a country. This shift to mercenaries was due to the changing nature of warfare with the introduction of gunpowder and the obsolescence of the feudal system. Maximilian's preference for art and culture is also highlighted, with a particular admiration for the German painter Albrecht Durer. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that the era marked a new dawn in history, symbolized by the works of Durer and Italian artists, indicating the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Swiss
The Swiss are a group of people native to Switzerland, known for their neutrality and strong military tradition. In the context of the video, they are mentioned as having defeated Charles the Bold, which signifies a historical event where the Swiss demonstrated their military prowess and independence.
💡Charles the Bold
Charles the Bold was the last Duke of Burgundy and is known for his military campaigns. In the video, his defeat by the Swiss is highlighted, which is a key event in European history that marked the end of Burgundian power and the rise of Swiss autonomy.
💡Maximilian I
Maximilian I, also known as Maximilian the Last Knight, was a member of the Habsburg family and the Holy Roman Emperor ruling around 1500. He is a central figure in the video, representing the transition from medieval to early modern times, and is noted for his efforts to maintain power in the face of changing military and political landscapes.
💡Habsburg family
The Habsburgs were one of the most influential royal families in European history, known for their vast wealth and political power. In the video, they are mentioned as having grown in might and wealth since the time of King Rudolf, and their influence is seen in the election of German Emperors.
💡German Emperor
The German Emperor was the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, a historical empire that included much of Central Europe. The video discusses how since the time of King Rudolf, all German Emperors had been from the Habsburg family, indicating the extent of their control.
💡Mercenaries
Mercenaries are soldiers who fight for money rather than for a country or political cause. In the video, Maximilian's use of mercenaries instead of his vassals is highlighted, showing a shift from feudal obligations to a more professional and paid military force.
💡
💡Gunpowder
Gunpowder is a substance that was used in early firearms and artillery, revolutionizing warfare. The video mentions its arrival, indicating a technological shift that made traditional chivalry and the granting of land for military service outdated.
💡Albrecht Durer
Albrecht Durer was a prominent German painter and printmaker of the Northern Renaissance. In the video, his work is mentioned as a herald of the new age, with his art being a significant part of the cultural shift from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
💡Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period of cultural, artistic, and intellectual rebirth following the Middle Ages. The video refers to it as a 'bright new dawn', indicating a time of significant change and progress, particularly in the arts and sciences.
💡Middle Ages
The Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period, is a historical era that lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. In the video, it is referred to as a 'starry night', symbolizing a time of relative darkness before the cultural enlightenment of the Renaissance.
💡Florence
Florence was a major city and cultural center during the Renaissance, known for its contributions to art, architecture, and science. The video mentions it as the place where the new, wide-awake time began, emphasizing its role as a birthplace of the Renaissance.
Highlights

The Swiss defeated Charles the Bold, marking a significant historical event.

Maximilian, the last knight, was a member of the Habsburg family, which had been growing in might and wealth since 1438.

The Habsburgs' power had spread beyond Austria, influencing the election of German Emperors.

German noblemen and princes often caused trouble for Maximilian, similar to the challenges faced by previous emperors.

Maximilian's vassals were increasingly reluctant to accompany the Emperor into battle.

The advent of gunpowder and the granting of land made the traditional system of military service outdated.

Maximilian employed mercenaries, who fought for money rather than loyalty to a country.

Mercenaries were known for their rapacious nature and were costly for Maximilian, leading to financial difficulties.

Maximilian had to borrow from rich merchants, which improved his relationship with the towns but upset the Knights.

Maximilian preferred the old ways of tournaments and composing verses, showing a mix of old and new interests.

He was fascinated with the new art and admired the works of the German painter Albrecht Durer.

Albrecht Durer's self-taught methods and his art are representative of the new age that was beginning.

The works of Durer and other Italian artists are seen as heralds of a new era, symbolizing the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

The chapter ends with a metaphor comparing the Middle Ages to a starry night and the new age to a bright dawn.

The transcript suggests watching the videos in a playlist titled 'A Little History of the World' for more information.

Additional playlists for other historical narratives are available and more are forthcoming.

Transcripts

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Maximilian IHabsburg FamilyGerman EmperorMercenariesKnightsArt RenaissanceAlbrecht DurerPower StrugglesMiddle AgesNew DawnHistorical Insight