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

Summary

In the 26th chapter, we learn about Maximilian, the last knight, and a member of the Habsburg family, who ruled around 1500. Despite their growing power, the German nobles and princes often opposed him. As traditional chivalry faded, Maximilian relied on mercenaries for military service, incurring heavy debts to fund them. His interest in the arts, particularly Albrecht Dürer's works, reflects the dawn of a new era, transitioning from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Swiss defeated Charles the Bold, marking a significant event in the history of the German emperors.
• 👑 Maximilian, known as the 'Last Knight', was a member of the Habsburg family, which had been growing in might and wealth since King Rudolf.
• 🌍 The Habsburgs' influence had spread beyond Austria, and they had been dominating the German Emperor's seat since 1438.
• 🛡️ German nobles and princes often caused trouble for the emperor, including Maximilian, who faced challenges in commanding their military support.
• 💣 The advent of gunpowder and the changing nature of warfare led to the rise of mercenaries, who fought for pay rather than feudal obligations.
• 💰 Maximilian had to rely on loans from rich merchants due to the high costs of employing mercenaries, which in turn influenced his relationship with the towns.
• 🏰 The knights felt increasingly sidelined as the traditional chivalric values became outdated in the face of new military practices.
• 🎨 Maximilian was a patron of the arts, showing a keen interest in the works of Albrecht Durer, a German painter who was influenced by Italian art.
• 🖼️ Durer's portrait paintings provide a visual record of what Maximilian and his contemporaries looked like, offering a glimpse into the past.
• 🌅 The script suggests that the period following the Middle Ages, marked by the rise of new art and humanism, can be seen as a 'bright new dawn', symbolizing a new era of cultural and intellectual awakening.

Q & A

Who is referred to as the 'last knight' in the script?

Maximilian is referred to as the 'last knight' in the script.

What significant event is mentioned in the script that involved the Swiss and Charles the Bold?

The Swiss defeated Charles the Bold, which is a significant event mentioned in the script.

To which family did Maximilian belong?

Maximilian belonged to the Habsburg family.

How did the power of the Habsburg family grow since the time of King Rudolf?

The power of the Habsburg family grew steadily since the time of King Rudolf, spreading beyond Austria and influencing the election of German Emperors.

What was the issue with the German noblemen and princes during Maximilian's reign?

The German noblemen and princes exercised almost unlimited power over their fiefdom and were increasingly reluctant to accompany their Emperor into battle when commanded.

Why did Maximilian use paid soldiers instead of his vassals when fighting the French King?

Maximilian used paid soldiers, known as mercenaries, because the traditional methods of granting land and peasants in return for military service had become outdated, similar to chivalry.

What was the financial consequence for Maximilian due to hiring mercenaries?

Hiring 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 Maximilian and the towns develop due to his financial situation?

Maximilian had to keep on good terms with the towns to borrow money, which upset the Knights who felt increasingly unwanted and unneeded.

What was Maximilian's personal interest that set him apart from the traditional knights?

Maximilian was interested in the new art and was particularly taken with the great German painter Albrecht Durer, showing a mixture of old and new interests.

How did Albrecht Durer contribute to the art of the time?

Albrecht Durer learned a lot from the Italians but taught himself even more to create paintings and engravings, contributing significantly to the new German art.

What does the script suggest about the time period following the Middle Ages?

The script suggests that the time period following the Middle Ages, which began in Florence, should be seen as a bright new dawn, marking the beginning of a new age.