Download ppt - High Middle Ages

High Middle Ages

Mr. Stikes

• SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics.

• b. Describe the political impact of Christianity; include Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany (Holy Roman Emperor).

Important Figures

• Pope Gregory VII: (1073-1085) - Pope

• King Henry IV: (1056-1106)

King of Holy Roman Empire

The Church and Politics

• How did the church influence politics?” Best example: – “Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Lay Investiture: Lay (non-church) leaders [kings] wanted to appoint clergy (church) leaders [bishops]

“Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Pope Gregory VII bans lay investiture (meaning on he could appoint bishops) – King Henry IV of Holy Roman Empire does not want to give up this power


• Gregory VII threatens to excommunicate Henry. Henry tried to “depose” the pope (take him out of office)

• Pope tells Henry’s vassals they no longer have to listen to him

• Henry’s lords rebel & defeat him at Canossa (1077)


• Ends with Concordat of Worms (1122)– Emperor lost the right to appoint bishops while

retaining the right to grant them land and secular political power

• Long Term Results: – Political destabilization in central Europe until

1870’s – Germany and Italy not unified, unlike France

and England

Height of Medieval Papal Power

• Innocent III (1198-1216) – Goal: unite all of Christendom under papal

rule to able to bring right order to the world– How? Crusades against heretics and to the

Middle East


• c. Explain the role of the church in medieval society.

The Role of the Church

• Christians throughout Western Europe recognized the Pope as the supreme spiritual leader.

• Pope could provide legitimacy to a leader:– ex. – crowning of Charlemagne

• In return, leaders provided military support– ex. - Donation of Pepin – Holy Roman Empire

will protect Rome

So… Secular leaders provided military strength

in exchange for

Recognition of Papal (i.e. God’s) support

Problems in Europe

• 9th and 10th centuries: Viking invasions leaves a power vacuum – the Church is the sole unified power throughout Europe

Problems in Europe

• Problems with the church:– Illiterate parish priests– Bishops appointed by kings – often immoral

Reforms in Europe

• Monasticism:– Tradition of Christians living outside the world

began in Egypt (hermits)– Gradually, monasteries developed.– Important…

• Monasteries: Cluny• Orders: Franciscans, Dominicans• Reformers: Francis of Assisi - (1182- 1226)

preached a life of total poverty, charity and good works, and love for all; became one of the largest and most powerful of the monastic orders

Reforms in Europe

• Inquisition:– Founded by Pope Gregory IX in 1232 to root

out heresy – became misused

• Popular Movements:– Albigensians: who rejected the leadership of

the Church and marriage, all forms of materialism, and cooperation with the state

– Waldensians: founded by Peter Waldo, who preached poverty, a strict moral life, and the use of the vernacular language


• d. Describe how increasing trade led to the growth of towns and cities.

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Agriculture increased

• Reasons: – End of invasions from Eastern Europe/Asia– Cultivation/clearing of new land– Spread of new techniques and technology

(crop rotation, metal plow, horse collar)– Use of wind and water mills to provide power


Increase in food

Population growth

Revival of trade, rise of towns

(remember, excess food usually leads to technological innovation)


• Revival of trade• Reasons:

– Surplus food allows for specialization– Crusades encourage trade from Italy to

Middle East/Constantinople• Cities like Pisa, Genoa, Milan and Venice take

lead• Europeans want luxury goods like spices, silks

– Stable government in Kievan Rus (Russia…remember?) allows for trade to N. Europe• Sea trade via Baltic Sea, rivers, Black Sea


• Revival of trade

• Results:– Rise of money economy in Europe (Why?)– Beginning of banking system


• Rise of cities

• Reasons:– Excess food supplies– Increased Trade


• Rise of cities

• Results:– Rise of a middle class

• Had no place in feudal system• Master artisans, merchants• Belief in individual initiative• Began to demand role in government


• Rise of cities

• Results:– Rise of Guilds

• Guild: “medieval business association of merchants or crafts workers”

• Purpose: control price, quality• Levels of skill: apprentice, journeyman, master


• Rise of cities

• Results:– Freedom

• Outside feudal system, serfs could become free and advance in cities

• Money allowed large building projects and provided protection

Assignment• Create a study guide including the following:

– Crusades: Why do they matter?– Gregory VII– Henry IV (HRE)– Lay Investiture– Concordat of Worms– Relationship between church and politics– 2 Problems with the Medieval church– 3 Reforms of the Medieval church– How agriculture revived trade, which in turn led to

the rise of cities.