Background to the Renaissance

Or

Death, Discontent, Disharmony and Disillusionment

Medieval Mindset

Medieval Mindset

Born-live-die within ONE station

Education is in hands of FEW

FEUDALISM Highly structured Origins

Consequences

Which led to 14th century disasters

Crusadesimpact on Renaissance Church and TRADE

Hundred Years’ War

Hundred Years’ War1337-1453 France v. England68 years of nominal peace44 years active combat

Underlying causesEnglish possession of French lands

(coast)French support of Bruces of ScotlandFlandersStrong hereditary claim of King Edward

III of England to the French throne

France v. England

Larger population

Wealthier

Poor leadership

Country internally Joan of Arc > nationalism

victor

Better leadership

United country

Early victories

Eventual defeat of all lands except Calais

Black Death

Black Death

1347-1350Europe weakened by decades of overpopulation, economic depression, famine, general bad healthKilled 2/5 of Europe’s population Ca. 20 million

Bubonic Plague—rats & fleas

Effects of the Black Death

Agricultural prices fellCost of manufactured goods roseNoble landowners suffered as per capita income in the cities increasedTrade guilds became powerfulMonarchs were able to continue process of governmental centralization

Great Schism

Problems within the Church

Undermined by internal religious disunity & denial of imperial powerPope Boniface VIII v. King Philip IV (Fr.)Babylonian CaptivityChurch HQ moved to Avignon—subservient to

French king 1309-1377

Great Schism--1378-1417here a Pope, there a Pope, everywhere a Pope

Conciliar movement—church controlled councils—order restored

John HussBohemiaSpokesman for the rights of royal authority over the popesBurned at the stake as a heretic 1415Fierce revolution

John Wycliffe

England“brother in spirit” w/ John HussWorked on English translation of the BibleCondemned as a heretic

Russia

Russia

Converted to Christianity early 9th centuryByzantine missionaries

Kievcultural center until mid-14th centuryMoscowIvan I1380—Mongols defeated—driven out of Russia within 15th century

Key Point #1The Black Death: One of the great determinants of change in history is disease. The social & economic results of the plague were wide-ranging & included fluctuation of agricultural prices & city income, as well as a decline in trade and the quality of goods produced. Politically, it is important to note that the Church & nobility suffered greatly in numbers & prestige from the effects of the plague. Monarchs were able to progress toward the centralization of their governments and economies.

Key point #2Relations between Church & State: The late 13th & 14th centuries were a period of chaos for the Church. The victim of attacks by local political factions, the papacy lost respect because of its transfer to Avignon, the Schism which followed, the impact of the Conciliar movement, the corruption of Alexander VI and others, and the French involvement in Italy. In the long run, the sword of the secular arm proved more than a match for the medieval Church.