Chapter 14 Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300)

Unit 5 – Age of Encounter (500 – 1800)

Chapter 14 – Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) Vocabulary: 1. knight - a man who received honor and land in exchange for serving a lord as a soldier 2. Middle Ages - the years between ancient and modern times 3. medieval - referring to the Middle Ages 4. feudalism - a system in which land was owned by kings or lords but held by vassals in return for their loyalty 5. manor - a large estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord 6. serf - a farm worker considered part of the manor on which he or she worked 7. clergy - persons with authority to perform religious services 8. excommunication- expelling someone from the Church 9. guild - a medieval organization of crafts workers or tradespeople 10. apprentice - an unpaid person training in a craft or trade 11. chivalry - the code of honorable conduct for knights 12. troubadour - a traveling poet and musician of the Middle Ages 13. Holy Land - Jerusalem and parts of the surrounding area where Jesus lived and taught 14. Crusades - a series of military expeditions launched by Christian Europeans to win the Holy Land back from Muslim control 15. Jerusalem - a city in the holy Land, regarded as sacred by Christians, Muslims and Jews 16. pilgrim - a person who journeys to a sacred place 17. nation - a community of people that shares territory and a government 18. Magna Carta - the “Great Charter”, in which the king’s power over his nobles was limited, agreed to by King John of England in 1215 19. Model Parliament- a council of lords, clergy, and common people that advised the English king on government matters 20. Hundred Years’ War- a series of conflicts between England and France, 1337-1453 Chapter 14 – Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) Section 1 – Feudalism and the Manor System Obj: when were the Middle Ages and what were they like; how land and power were divided under feudalism; how the manor system worked; what life was like for peasants and serfs.

The Middle Ages  These were times of knights in shining armor, lords and ladies, and castles and cathedrals.  The years between ancient times and modern times o Ancient times ended around 500 o Modern times began around 1500  Also called the medieval era or period

The Collapse of the Roman Empire(Western Europe) (AD 476)  The time when the middle ages began (collapse of Roman Empire in Western Europe)  Had provided order and stability in the region  Spread its culture o Latin o Christianity  Over time, grew weak o Suffered economic and social troubles o Suffered from invasions by people from the north

Map – Invasions of the Roman Empire – lgp-8521

 Wave after wave, the invaders destroyed Roman towns and cut off trade routes o Claimed parts of the empire for themselves o Kept their own languages and laws o Broke the bonds that had held the Roman Empire together  Fall happened in 476, but by 500 it had collapsed completed  Replaced by patchwork kingdoms  Reading and writing were in danger of disappearing because invaders were illiterate

Charlemagne Reunites Western Europe  One of the invading groups were the Franks o Claimed the area called Gaul (present-day France) o 768 – Charlemagne became king of the Franks . Expanded his kingdom by conquering weaker kingdoms . His empire soon expanded across most of Western Europe . He ruled for nearly 50 years . Worked hard to keep Western Europe united  Promoted learning  Established schools  Promoted culture  Improved the economy  Issued money  Spread the Christian religion . Western Europe had not been so prosperous or united since the time of the Roman Empire o After Charlemagne’s death . Empire divided among his three sons  They fought one another, weakening the empire  Other groups attacked the weakened empire . Vikings the fiercest of attackers

Attacks from the North  Vikings came from the north of Europe (present-day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) o Skilled sailors and tough warriors o Attacks began around 800 and continued for about 300 years o Relied on surprise o Burned and looted European towns o Reopened trade routes to Mediterranean lands and beyond o Settled and mixed with local populations in other parts of northern Europe o **they did not, however, unite their lands into a lasting empire

Feudalism Charlemagne’s empire was gone Western Europe was again divided into many small kingdoms Viking attacks were a constant threat Lie was dangerous Slowly, people of Europe worked out a new system for meeting their military, political and economic needs.

The Feudal System  New system developed  Land owned by kings or lords, but held by vassals in return for their loyalty  A way of life by 1000 o Lasted for hundreds of years  Power belonged to those who controlled the land  Landowners were nobles (barons and princes) o Gave a share of the land, known as a fief (feef), to each of their vassals (loyalty to landowner; follow laws and fight for him) o Vassals could also be lords  Lords promised to treat their vassals with honor  Lords chief duty o Protect their vassals and their l ands o Would protect a vassals’ family if anything were to happen to the vassal . Vassals could be confidants to lords  Vassals were expected to raise and lead armies to fight for the lord o Many vassals were knights (professional horse soldiers who led other men into battle) o Vassals also appeared at the lords’ court when commanded to do so o They paid taxes, often in the form of crops, to their lords The Manor System  A system of economic and political life at the local level during feudalism  Based on the “manor” o A large estate that included farm fields, pastures, and often an entire village  A large “manor” house where the lord, or ruler, of the manor lived

Lord and Manors  Typically a vassal of a king or more powerful lord  The manor o Part of the fief o Most were far from towns, villages and other manors o Had to be self-sufficient . Most things needed by the people who lived on the manor were made there  The lord o Depended on the wealth his manor provided o Ruler and judge of the manor o Ruled over the manor and the poor people who lived there o Decided who would oversee the farming and other daily work o Collected taxes from the peasants living on the manor

The Role of Noblewomen  Played an important part in feudal society  Went to other noble families for training  Took place as “lady” of the household o Managed the household o Performed necessary medical tasks o Supervised servants  Served as lord of the manor when husband or father was away fighting o Made important decisions

Peasants and Serfs Majority of people of medieval Europe were not lords, ladies or knights They were peasants (a group of people who made their living as farmers and laborers) Very different lives from nobles  Peasants o Often very poor o Did all the work on the manors o Farmed the lord’s fields to raise food for his household o Only allowed to farm a small strip of land for themselves . Still had to give part of their own harvest to their lord  Most peasants were also serfs (peasants who were considered to be part of the manor)  When a noble was given a manor as part of his fief, its serfs became his

 Serfs o Could not leave the manor o Could not get married without the lord’s permission o They were not slaves o They could save money to buy freedom and a plot of land of their own o Could escape to a city and live there for a year and a day . If not caught, they became free o Most remained serfs their whole lives

A Hard Life  Medieval peasants worked hard for most of their lives  Farmed their own fields and those of their lord  Men, women and children were all required to work  They lived in one-room huts o Often had a single opening for a window o They built a fire on the dirt floor for heating and cooking . Smoke filled the room until it drifted out through the small opening  They ate simple foods o Black bread o Cabbage o Turnips  Rarely ate meat o Animals of the manor and surrounding land were reserved for their lord  Suffered when they slept o Mattresses were cloth sacks stuffed with straw Chapter 14 – Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) Section 2 – The Church and the Rise of Cities Obj: the importance of the Roman Catholic Church and its power during the Middle Ages; the connection between an increase in trade and the growth of towns; what life was like in a medieval town; the role of culture and learning in the Middle Ages

The Church in the Middle Ages  Most Gothic cathedrals were built in Western Europe between 1100 and 1400.  Gothic refers to the style of architecture  A cathedral was a church of a bishop (an important leader of the Roman Catholic Church)  Nearly all people, at this time, were Roman Catholic  The Roman Catholic church had so much influence, it was known simply as “the Church”  There were many reasons why the Church was so powerful

Religious and Economic Power  life short and hard during the Middle Ages  people comforted by the Christian belief in heaven after death, if they lived according to Church teachings o Church also taught of punishment after death if people didn’t obey their rules o promise of reward and threat of punishment made most people follow its teachings o had great economic power o gained great wealth by collecting taxes o took fiefs from lords in exchange for services performed by clergy (persons with authority to perform religious services) o the Church was the single largest owner of land in Europe during the Middle Ages

Political Power of the Church  combination of religious and economic power enabled Church to take on many roles that today’s government performs. o Made laws o Set up courts to enforce laws o Excommunication (expelled from membership in the Church and participation in its life) . This threat gave Church great influence in political matters . Few people would associate with someone who had been excommunicated o High officials advisors to kings and lords o Used its authority to: . Limit feudal warfare . Declare periods of truce, or temporary peace . Warfare began to decline during the 1100s Church Organization  Highly organized o Almost every village had a priest o Bishop supervised priests o Archbishop supervised bishops o Pope supervised archbishops  Papacy (government of the Church) based in Rome  These areas of Church authority overlapped and crossed the boundaries of kingdoms o Church had power in every kingdom, every fief, and every village

The Church in Everyday Life  Medieval Church touched nearly all aspects of life o Birth of a child o Serious illness o Marriage o Death  Clergy o always in attendance to offer blessings at these events o helped people follow rules on how to live o listened when people came to church to confess their sins . In the name of God, clergy then forgave them for their wrongs

Monasteries and Convents  Some religious men and women dedicated their lived to God o Men lived in monasteries o Women lived in convents . Gave women a rare opportunity to become educated  Initially these communities developed better ways of growing crops and tending livestock o this helped the Church improve the economy of the Middle Ages o based mostly on farming  monks and nuns looked after the sick and set up schools o monks educated more than most people . copied books from ancient times . preserved knowledge that would have been lost

Scholasticism  Christian scholars studied ancient Greek texts that said people should use reason to discover truth  Church taught that many ideas must be accepted on faith  Scholasticism used “reason” to support Christian “beliefs” o A resolve by medieval scholars of the two philosophies Trade Revives and Towns Grow About 1100  Feudalism well established in Europe  The Church was a stabilizing force  Europe was becoming a safer place with a growing population The Revival of Trade  People felt safer o began to travel more o learned more about distant places o the demand of spices and cloth from other places o ancient trade routes used again o European merchants traveled abroad to buy and sell valued goods

The Growth of Towns  First – local goods were traded in the markets of small villages  Trade grew – markets grew and some developed into major trade fairs

Map Skills Activity – Trade Centers in Europe – lpg-8532

 Traders gathered at convenient places for travelers o River crossings o Along highways o Monasteries o Fortifications  Before long, towns developed in these locations  As trade grew, so did medieval towns and cities  Growth of population increased their prosperity and trade

Life in Towns and Cities About 1300 – Towns growing into cities Paris one of the largest cities in the world (population around 100,000

The Rise of a Middle Class  Town life not at all like farm or manor life  Towns and cities not self-sufficient o Economies based on exchange of money for goods and services  New class of people developed o Between nobles and peasants o The middle class . Merchants . Traders . Crafts workers The Role of Guilds  Merchants, traders and crafts workers formed associations called guilds (included all people who practiced a certain trade or craft) o Weavers o Grocers o Shoemakers, etc.  Set prices and prevented outsiders from selling goods in town  Set standards for the quality of their goods  Paid dues o Used to help needy members or support families of members who had died  Took a long time to become a member o Boys between 8 and 14 became an apprentice of a certain trade . An unpaid worker trained in a craft . Lived and worked in the home of a master for as long as 7 years . Could then become a journeyman (salaried worker) . In time, if work met standards, guild officials would judge and decide if he could join the guild

Overcrowding and Disease o Towns and cities extremely crowded o Lack of sanitation bred disease o Overcrowding caused disease to spread quickly . Bubonic plague  1347-1351  Wiped out one third of Europe’s population  Called the Black Death  Spread by fleas living on the rats

Medieval Culture Despite hardships, medieval life: o Attracted traveling scholars o Young men flocked to cathedral schools o Great centers of learning o Churches displayed beautiful artwork of the Middle Ages o Stories, poems, and songs about chivalry popular o Chivalry – the code of honorable conduct by which knights were supposed to live o Throughout Europe, traveling poets and musicians (troubadours/minstrels) went from place to place singing about the brave deeds performed by knights to win the love of a beautiful and worthy women. Chapter 14 – Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) Section 3 – The Crusades Obj: the causes of the Crusades; the different Crusades and what they accomplished; the effects the Crusades had on life in Europe.

Causes of the Crusades Over the next 200 years, the Church launches eight military expeditions, called the Crusades, to capture the Holy Land.  The word comes from crux, the Latin word for “cross”  People carried Christian cross into battle against the non-Christian enemy were called crusaders.

Pilgrims to the Holy Land  Since about 200 – European Christians had been traveling to Jerusalem (the only place considered sacred by Christians, Jews and Muslims) o These people were called pilgrims  Nobles and peasants made the long and difficult journey  They wanted to visit the places written about the Bible

The Rise of the Turks  For centuries, Jerusalem was controlled by Arab Muslims, who generally welcomed Christian pilgrims.  Then, in the 1000s, the Seljuk Turks took control of the Holy Land o A Muslim group known for attacking Christian pilgrims from Europe  They closed the pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem  At the same time, Turks were also conquering much of the Byzantine Empire o The Byzantine Empire asked Pope Urban II to send knights to defend his Christian empire. o The pope agreed and called on the people of Europe to fight the Muslim Turks.

Why Go To War? Why did Pope Urban II agree to organize a war against the Muslim Turks?  He wanted the Holy Land to be under the control of Christians  He wanted Christian pilgrims to be able to visit Jerusalem and other religious sites  He thought a crusade would unite Europeans against a common enemy o The Muslim Turks  And they would stop fighting among themselves  He hoped to gain power and prestige for himself and the Church Some Europeans had other reasons for encouraging the Crusades  They wanted to control not only the Holy Land, but key trade routes between Africa, Asia and Europe A Series of Crusades The pope’s best hope for capturing the holy Land rested with European lords and their knights. But before these armies could assemble, a band of common people set out for Jerusalem

Peter the Hermit and the People’s Crusade Peter, a small man who wore monk’s robes, gathered an “army” of common people.  They set out in 1096  Arriving at Constantinople, were advised by the Byzantine emperor to wait for help from the army of knights from Europe  Peter agreed, but his followers rebelled o They attacked the Turks, who easily defeated them o Only a small part of Peter’s army survived

THE FIRST CRUSADE  What remained of Peter’s army were joined by Pope Urban II’s European armies o 1099 - Knights fought their way to Jerusalem and captured it . Took control of the city . Killed thousands of its Muslim, Christian and Jewish inhabitants o After the capture, most of the crusaders returned to Europe o Those who stayed set up four Christian states o Muslim Turks attacked these kingdoms repeatedly o European Christians then launched more Crusades to keep control of the region

LATER CRUSADES  The Second Crusaded had little success o A strong Arab Muslim leader rose to power . Saladin o By 1187, Saladin had retaken Jerusalem o King Richard I of England tried to persuade Saladin to return the Holy City to the Christians o Saladin refused o He did, however, negotiate a treaty with King Richard (the Lion-Hearted) . Agreed to reopen Jerusalem to Christian pilgrims o King Richard died in 1199

The Results of the Crusades Although crusaders did capture the Holy Land for awhile, they were never able to gain firm control of it. Still, the Crusades brought important and lasting changes to Europe.

Increased Trade  European ships that carried crusaders also returned with, rugs, jewelry, glass and spices.  Soon these goods were in demand.  Crusades revived trade, which led to growth of towns and cities.  Crusades also encouraged the use of money in Europe. o For much of the Middle Ages, bartering was used o Crusaders went far from home and money was easier to use than bartering New Ideas  Returning crusaders also brought new ideas and technology back to Europe  Advances in: o Medicine o Mathematics o Technology  Crusaders helped increase European knowledge of these technologies  Europeans learned how to make better ships and maps o Skills that would help them become worldwide explorers Chapter 14 – Europe in the Middle Ages (500-1300) Section 4 – The Power of Kings Obj: the forces that led to nation building in Europe; nation building in England; how the Hundred Years’ War affected England and France

For three days, the king waited outside the castle where Pope Gregory VII was staying. Barefoot in the winter cold, the king begged forgiveness. Would the pope forgive King Henry IV? During the Middle Ages, kings and popes quarreled over who should select bishops. Because bishops were Church officials, popes claimed the right to choose them. Kings wanted this right because bishops often controlled large areas of their kingdoms. They also wanted to play a role in the Church. In 1077, Henry IV of Germany ruled much of Europe. He had been choosing bishops even though Pope Gregory had ordered him not to. In response, the pope had excommunicated the king and declared that his people no longer had to obey him. However, after putting Henry off for three long, cold days, the pope gave in. He allowed Henry to rejoin the Church. Pope Gregory had made a serious mistake. In 1081, King Henry invaded Italy, where the pope lived. By 1084, Henry had replaced Pope Gregory with a new pope, who crowned Henry emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Gregory was sent into exile

Nation Building Henry’s success in overthrowing the pope was a hint of things to come.

The Power of Nobles  When 1200s began – Europe still a feudal society  Kings reigned over kingdoms  Wealthy lords had great power o Saw themselves as nearly the king’s equal o Some nobles had more land, vassals and knights than his king  Nobles power based on feudal system o When it began to decline, so would the noble’s power

The Decline of Feudalism  one reason, the growth of trade and towns  kings supported the new towns in exchange for money o agreed to protect towns o made laws to help towns grow rich o rich towns paid kings o kings used money to hire armies and attack troublesome nobles  Crusades also weakened nobles o Many gave up land to raise money to join the Crusades o Others were killed in the Crusades and kings claimed their land The Birth of Nations  Kings became more and more powerful  Instead of patchwork of fiefs ruled by many nobles, large areas of Europe became united under one king  Kings became strong enough to challenge the Church  These larger kingdoms began to turn into nations (a community of people that shares territory and government)  Common language and culture also often unite the people of a nation  The process of combining smaller communities into a single nation (Nation Building) o A national identity o A national government  Late Middle Ages – o Idea of nationhood taking hold o Royal marriage united the two largest kingdoms in Spain o Tsars were expanding their territory and power over nobles in Russia o Louis IX (who ruled from 1226-1270) was a deeply religious and powerful king in France . He strengthened Christianity and the central government in his kingdom

Changes in England By the 1200s, England on its way to becoming a unified nation 1066 – William of Normandy, a duke from France, conquered England (the Norman Conquest) Became known as William the Conqueror, king of England  Dominated his nobles  Kings who followed him further increased the power of the king o Henry I o Henry II . Nobles began to resent this power and King John, Henry II’s son, would soon face their anger.

King John Angers the Nobles  1199 – John became king of England o Quickly moved to increase his wealth and power o Taxed people heavily o Jailed his enemies unjustly and without trial o Most powerful nobles were hurt by his unfair actions Magna Carta  John was not strong enough to defy the nobles and clergy whom he angered  June 15, 1215 – 2,000 English nobles gathered at Runnymede, a meadow along the Thames River o Presented John with a list of their demands o John was forced to put his royal seal on the document and it became law . Called the Magna Carta (also called the Great Charter) . It limited the king’s power  King could no longer jail any freeman without just cause  King could not raise taxes without consulting his Great Council or lords and clergy o Great Council became the Model Parliament, which included common people as well as nobles and clergy o Eventually it evolved into a powerful legislative, or law-making assembly o As it gained power, helped unify England  Eventually, because of Parliament, the Magna Carta strengthened the power of the king o Nobles now had a say in government, and were more likely to support what the king did

Hundred Years’ War Despite the growth of nations, Western Europe was not at peace. Now, instead of nobles fighting each other, emerging nations went to war. From 1337 – 1453, one long series of clashes between the nations of France and England became known as the Hundred Years’ War

Causes of the War  1300s – the borders of England and France were not the ones we know today.  Through marriage and inheritance, the England king had come to be the lord of many countries in present-day France o William the Conqueror, became king of England in 1066, was also Duke of Normandy in France. o 1152 – King Henry II of England married the French noblewoman Eleanor of Aquitaine . Bringing more French land under English control o 1328 – the French king died, King Edward II of England, whose mother was a French princess, claimed to be king of France under feudal law. . French nobles did not agree . Determined to get his way, Edward invaded France and BEGAN THE HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR o There were many other causes of the war . Both England and France wanted to control the English Channel (the waterway that separates their countries . Each nation also wanted to control trade in the region and the wealth it brought Joan of Arc’s Victory  The Hundred Years’ War dragged on, king after king.  England won most of the battles, but French continued to fight  1429 – tide turned o Peasant girl called Joan of Arc took charge of the French forces at the battle of Orleans (awr lay ahn) . French troops greeted her with hope and curiousity . Under her command, the French defeated the English at Orleans . She then led them to victory in other battles  1430 – Joan of Arc was taken prisoner by allied of the English  England tried her for witchcraft  She was convicted and burned at the stake  She was made a martyr by the French  Her death inspired them to many victories  By 1453 – the English had been driven from most of France o With English troops in retreat, France was on its way to becoming a strong and united nation

**Joan of Arc – the young girl who would become one of France’s greatest heroes was the daughter of a tenant farmer. Joan was very religious and believed that she saw heavenly visions. In 1429, when she was only 17, she journeyed to the court of Charles, the heir to the French throne. She convinced him that God had called her to lead the French forces at the battle of Orleans. Charles finally agreed. He gave Joan armor, attendants, horses, and a special banner to carry into battle. You can see that banner on the statue of Joan, which stands in Paris.

The Growing Power of Kings  Hundred Years’ War affected the balance of power in England and France  On the battlefield new weapons increased the importance of footsoldiers. o The longbow o The cannon  Armored knights became less valuable in battle  Feudal castles could not stand up to the firepower of the new cannons  Kings now needed large armies, not small bands of knights, to fight for them.  The war had people beginning to think of themselves as citizens of England or of France, a feeling of nationalism. o Not simply loyal to their local lords  Kings became more powerful, nobles influence declined  In England, the king had been forced to ask Parliament for more and more money to fund the war o This helped Parliament win “the power of the purse” and increased its power in relation to the king. o These two developments helped unify England  The war helped set the modern boundaries of England and France  English looked to more distant lands for trade and conquest instead of the European empire  Leaving feudalism behind, Europe was becoming a continent of nations  Some of these nations would soon rule much of the world