The Autumn of the Middle Ages

Methodology and Conclusions

In «The Autumn of the Middle Ages», Johan Huizinga employs a cultural-historical approach to analyze the late Middle Ages in Western Europe, particularly in Burgundy and France during the 14th and 15th centuries. He examines the cultural, social, and psychological aspects of this period, paying special attention to symbolism, rituals, and daily life. Huizinga views medieval culture as an integrated system where art, religion, and social norms are closely interconnected. He analyzes literary and artistic works, chronicles, and other historical sources to identify the characteristic features of the thinking and worldview of people of that time. Huizinga concludes that the late Middle Ages was a time of intense cultural changes and contradictions, where old forms and ideas began to give way to new ones, paving the way for the Renaissance. He emphasizes that despite its apparent archaic nature, this period was rich and complex, full of deep emotional and intellectual experiences.