Part 3-2 “The High Middle Ages” World History “The Modern Era” pp. 18 & 19

Growth of Royal Power In 1066 William the conqueror took the throne of England this unified England and made the monarchy more powerful. Tax collecting soon followed along with a financial system and more laws. Common Law followed or laws that were the same for all people not just peasants or workers, but nobility as well. A jury system was established.

Evolving Traditions Struggles developed between monarchs, nobles and the church.

The Magna Carta Two basic ideas, nobles had certain rights and the monarch must obey all laws as well as their subjects. King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede on June 15, 1215.

The Holy Roman Empire and the Church All kings after Charlemagne that ruled the center of the Carolingian empire took the title from the pope of Holy Roman Emperor. Eventually through the spread of power and the spread of the Church the pope and even the men he had crowned had disputes. Some of the first dealt with the naming of Bishops, and the control of papal lands. The pope actually tried to say that they had the power to remove kings and emperors by excommunication not allowing the person to partake in the sacraments or sacred rituals of the Roman Catholic Church. Eventually this lead to the election of a French Pope and the decline of the papacy.

Europeans look outward In 1050 Europe was emerging from isolation. Their land had been threatened by the Muslim Empire which had grown and flourished during the early middle ages.

The Crusades Begin With the Muslims attacking the Byzantine Empire, which was the Eastern Roman Empire, and Christian, the Pope called for all Christians to rush to the aide of the Byzantines and defeat the wicked Muslim hordes. Pope Urban II from Clermont called for the Crusades, or Holy War to ensure that Christians controlled the Holy Land.

Effects of the Crusades For more than 200 years Crusaders fought for control of Palestine, the Holy Land, They failed, or did they, the increased trade, heightened papal power, and increased the power of monarchs. They also traveled to new lands.

Learning, Literature, and the Arts As conditions improve3d a revival of learning took place. Starting in the Church, they wanted more educated clergy; Royals needed educated aides and heirs. Schools began by the Church and eventually became the first colleges. Classics started to be translated from Latin into the vernacular or everyday speech. The Poem of the Cid told of Islam, and the Divine comedy was an imaginary journey into hell and purgatory.

A time of Crisis Disasters struck in the Late Middle Ages. The Bubonic plague spread by fleas on rates took out around 1/3 of the population in Europe. It was called the Black Death. Economic ruin followed Famine and war added to the problems and Europe would not recover for another 100 years. 1330’s start of the plague.