Medieval Europe

Chapter 8 & 9

Western Europe• Small area on the western end of Eurasia• A frontier – sparsely populated, undeveloped area on the

outskirts of civilization• Untapped potential

– Dense forests, fertile land, rich mineral resources, and many rivers/ seas for travel, trade, and power

Early Medieval Europe(The Middle Ages/Dark Ages)

5th to 12th Century

• Fall of the Western Roman Empire (A.D. 476)• Germanic tribes form independent kingdoms• Time of violence, illiteracy, isolation• Majority of population is poor and uneducated• Little/no trade• Decrease in population

– warfare, raids, disease• Christianity – single unifying force• A blend of Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian Traditions

The Franks

• Merowig – Unites the Frank’s warrior society• Clovis (486) – Conquers and unites Gaul– Preserves Roman customs– converts to Christianity – Hereditary rule land divided among son’s

• Charles “The Hammer” Martel – Defeats invading Muslims at Battle of Tours (732)

• Pepin ‘The Short” – reunites Gaul– Fights for Pope driving Lombards out of Rome (754)– Anointed “Protector of the Church” by Pope

The Age of Charlemagne• Charles the Great – Carlos Magnus• Father of Europe – Reunites much of Europe for a

brief time• Frankish Empire – Aachen (Capital) time of war– Bureaucracy counties/counts, missi dominici– Improves education and economy– Missionaries– Crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by

Pope • Christmas Day 800

– Dies in 814– Treaty of Verdun (843)

Time of InvasionsA. D. 800 - 1000

• Threats from the Muslims (south), Slavs (east), Magyars (east), and Vikings (North)

• Vikings most dangerous and biggest threat to safety– Effects Europeans way of life - raid and loot towns (brutal)– Warrior society– Great seafarers – explore new lands and begin to trade

• Long boats – sail up stream and in open waters

Vikings effect on Europe

• Increase isolation, decrease in unity• Decrease power of central government• Increase power of nobles • Increase dependency on agriculture• Decrease in trade• Little or no interdependence• Decrease in education/literacy• Development of Feudalism and Manorialism

Feudalism

Feudalismloosely organized system of rule in which powerful local Lords pledge service

and loyalty to a greater Lord

• A political system with a weak central government based on a hierarchy (decentralized)

• An alliance of mutual protection between the king and his nobles (Lords) is formed– Vassal – lower lord serving a greater lord

• 1st developed by Charles Martel but takes hold in Europe in the 900’s– Knights (Cavalry) given land in exchange for loyalty

• Training - page/squire• Tournaments• Chivalry

The Feudal Contracta complex system of obligations and benefits

• An agreement between a Lord and his Vassal– The Lord provides the Vassal with a fief– The Vassal gives homage– Vassal creates a Manor• The higher Lord has very little power or influence

– Local Lord must provide an army, serve on the royal court, provide shelter/education, and pay taxes to the higher Lord

• Local Lord (vassal)– Raise private army, set up local court, create local laws and

currency– Noblewoman (Lady of the Manor) –active role running estate

The Manor• The Lord’s estate • The heart of the Medieval economy• Based on agricultural production (self sufficient)• Includes the castle, church, town(s), farms, gazing land, and river(s)• Manoralism – links Lord and serfs together by mutual obligations

The Manor System• Based on agricultural production• Self sufficient - Subsistent• Use of barter system • Serfs – peasants tied to the land responsible for

agricultural production/laborers– Pay fees for certain rights– Able to produce for self (very little)– Lord provides shelter and protection– Harsh life no luxuries– Church provides salvation

• festivals only time of rest/enjoyment

• Inefficient – wooden plow, ox yoke, 2-field system

The Medieval Church• Village Church – Parish Priest

– Both a religious and social center– Sacraments leads to salvation– Tithe tax (10 %)

• Monastic Life – nuns and monks withdraw from worldly life– Benedictine Rule (530) – regulates life (harsh)– Francis of Assisi and Dominic (friars) – preach to the poor– Monasteries/convents – centers of learning and social services

• Unifying force in Europe Papal Supremacy– Patriarchal– Cannon laws– Excommunication/interdict– Corruption, abuses, anti-Semitism

• Cluny Reforms-revive Benedictine Rule, nobles forbidden to interfere with monastery affairs, accept only those perusing religious propose

Expansion and Change leads to Economic Revival

A.D. 1000• Agricultural Production increase in population– New technology – drain land,

iron plow, harness, 3-field system

– Change in Climate

• Trade – diffusion within Europe and with the East– Decrease in violence – safe to

travel– Desire/need for more goods raw materials/luxury goods

– Fairs trade route (rivers) – provide goods/entertainment

Expansion and Change leads to Economic RevivalA.D. 1000

• Commerce – Money system (capital) – bill

of exchange, insurance, usury

– Growth of middle class – partnerships, guilds

• Growth of Towns – sites of trade fairs – Trade centers merchants/artisans settle into one area

– Charters right and privileges granted by King

The High Middle Ages1050 – 1300’s

• The Rise of Nation-States in Europe– Monarchies begin to consolidate and strengthen power– The economy, education, and art begin to flourishCause• Expansion of royal domain

– Justice system– Loyal/efficient bureaucracy– Royal taxes– Royal army– Ties with the middle class– Ties with the church

The Growth of Royal Power in Western Europe:strong central governments with organized bureaucracy

England - united by a limited (Parliamentary) Monarchy• King Edward – king of England (Anglo-

Saxon)• William, Duke of Normandy

– Battle of Hasting (1066)– Feudalism– Domesday book– Royal Exchanguer

• Henry II – energetic/edu.– Common Laws/Traveling Justice– Jury System– Conflict with Church

• King John – corrupt/poor leader– Losses to France– Interdict Fief of Papacy– Magna Carta (1215)– Parliament

France – united by an Absolute Monarchy• Hugh Capet

– Founder of 300 yr. dynasty– Consolidates power and forms ties with church

• Philip II (“Augustus”)– Middle class bureaucracy (charters)– Royal army/Royal Tax– Gains land from England (1223)

• Louis IX – devoted & religious– Crusades– Royal inspectors– Outlaws private wars & serfdom

• Philip IV – ruthless– Clash with the church (successful)– Avignon Papal Court– Estate General (1302) – representatives from

the 3 classes (no real Power)

High Middle AgesEngland France

The Holy Roman Empire and the Church:Remains Fragmented

• Duke Otto of Saxony – King Of Germany– Close ties with Rome Crowned Holy Roman Emperor (962)– Later rulers lose power to nobles (Feudalism)– Conflicts with church over Cluny Reforms

• Pope Gregory VII - Ends practice of secular leaders appointing Bishops (lay investitures)

• Henry IV – nobles side with church and Henry excommunicated (1076)• (1122) Concord of Worms

• Fredrick Barbarossa – desire to expand empire (Frankish)– Defeated by Lombards and Papal forces in Northern Italy

• Fredrick II – attempts to expand (unsuccessful)

The World in 1050

• W. Europe – end of Isolation, little technology or education beginning of diffusion (High Middle Ages)

• Byzantine Empire – united and prosperous trade center• Islamic Civilization – intellectual and scientific

advancements united by religion• India – thriving urbanization united by religion• China – strong central government(dynastic rule) with great

technological advancements• Africa – kingdoms and trading empires (diffusion)• Americas (Mayans) – engineering and architectural

advances

The End of the Middle Ages

The High Middle Ages can be described as a period of transition between what is known as the “Dark Ages” (Early Middle Ages) and The Renaissance. Four events played a role in ending the Middle Ages. They are:

1. The Crusades2. The Black Death3. Papal /Church Corruption4. The Hundred Years War

Evaluate the events and explain how each changed Europe forever ending the time known as Medieval Europe.

The Crusades – Holy WarEuropean Christians attempt to retake Holy Land

• Pope Urban – “God wills it” (1095) Council of Clermont– Expand Rome’s power

• Reasons for participation– Religious zeal– Wealth and land– Escape/opportunity– Adventure

The Crusades 1st Crusade (1096)

– dominated by French Nobles– Recapture Jerusalem and set up

Crusader States

2nd Crusade (1147)– reestablish lands lost to Muslims– Unsuccessful

3rd Crusade (1187)– King’s Crusade– Saladin takes Jerusalem

4th Crusade (1202)– No religious goal– Lay siege and loot Constantinople

Effects of the Crusades on Europe

• Religious Schism between East and West• Rise in Anti-Semitism and Inquisition• Decline in Feudalism• Rise in Monarchy and Papal power• The Reconquista in Spain

– Muslim Rule (A.D. 700’s) – Religious tolerance– Ferdinand & Isabella unite Spain as a Christian Kingdom (1492)

• Diffusion with East - Venetian Merchants– technology/education– Increase in luxury goods – Increase in long distance trade

• Exploration

Trade Routes

Learning, Literature, & the Arts during the High Middle Ages

• 1100’s – dynamic changes take place– Political Stability– Economic Prosperity (Trade routes/towns)– Agricultural Revolution

• A need for better Education– Universities– Academic Guilds– Rediscover Greco-Roman Culture

» Scholasticism» Sciences» Literature – Latin language of the Scholars

• Vernacular

• Arts and Architecture– Romanesque vs. Gothic

» Flying buttresses, sculptures, and stain glass windows– Illuminated Manuscripts

The End of the Middle AgesA Time of Crisis

• The Black Death – bubonic plague (1348)– Arrives from the east carried by fleas on rats

travelling on merchant ships– Epidemic – 1/3 of the European population dies– Social upheaval – no explanation, no cure

• Turn to witchcraft, pleasures, or the church• Viewed as a punishment from God• Normal life breaks down

– Economic Effects – loss of workers decrease in production• Survivors demand higher pay inflation

– Restrictions on land, guilds revolts

• The Church – division of the church– Loss of leadership (plague) no answers – Pope Clement V – moves papal court to Avignon

(Fra.) ”Babylonian Captivity”• 1378 Pope elected in Rome (two popes)

– Challenges to canon law• John Wycliffe Bible is source of Christian

Truth• Jan Has – calls for reforms

• The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)– Series of conflicts b/t England and

France• Political/economical rivals• National pride

– England’s desire for land on the continent

– Edward III – claims French Crown• War erupts• Early English victories – longbow• Joan of Arc – French victories

– Rallies France-raises morale

– Martyr• The Cannon

– The Feudal System become obsolete