 This is the story of how the collapse of one form of government created the need for a new type of government known as feudalism. This period was not only characterized by lords battling for power and warfare was a way of life; but, also characterized by a decline in learning and civilization. Gradually, the Roman Catholic Church came to dominate life in Europe.

 Why should I care? Over time, several ideas and key events would be responsible for shattering the two great institutions of the Middle Ages. Gradually, society loyalty shifted towards a nation-state.

 Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages): 500 – 1050; characterized by a decline in learning and civilization  High Middle Ages:

 Rome lost its way; and, thus couldn’t control its empire  Tribes/barbarians infiltrated the area  If given $250,000 today to start a business, where wouldn’t you go to start that business?  Why?  What is it that people are looking to receive from their government? Rome couldn’t offer this; and, feudalism could.

 Political Originated during the Early Middle Ages in response to invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars  Government by contract (agreements were made)  Characterized by lords battling for power and warfare was a way of life Emphasis on local protection, local government, and local self- sufficiency

 Land/Protection exchanged for loyalty/soldiers/work/ service Feudal Pyramid King Nobles Vassals Knights Free Peasants/Serfs

 Those who fought (knights)  Those who prayed (priests)  Those who worked (free peasants/serfs)

 Rights – labor from all peasants, portion of the harvest, livestock, Christmas and Easter, payment of a tax on grain, payment of a tax when the serf married  Responsibilities – protect the rights of the serfs to stay on the land, keep peace, administer justice

 Rights – received tithes  Responsibilities – maintain the church, provide church services, enforce the laws of the church

 Rights – live on the manor from birth to death (made up largest population)  Responsibilities – work for nobles, give noble a portion of one’s harvest and livestock, pay tax for right to marry, give gift to Christmas/Easter; children were expected to work

 Roman Catholic Church dominant in Europe  Most powerful, secular force in Europe  Provided schools, hospitals, services to the poor, and moral authority, and was believed to have the ability to help people obtain salvation  Church had significant control over European society because it decided who could achieve salvation  People expected the Church to provide meaning to their lives

 This is the story of how the rise of nationalism (loyalty to one’s nation) contributed to power struggles of medieval kings taking place between Rulers fought against the Church, powerful lords within their own realms, and rival kings of other countries. In addition to these power struggles taking place; Church crisis, disease, and war greatly influenced the landscape of Europe.

 This is the story of how many factors not only weakened the Roman Catholic Church; but, also the feudal system. These factors included: nationalism (sense of pride in one’s nation), ongoing struggles between rulers, powerful lords, kings of other countries, and the Church; turmoil within the Church, cries for church reform, and the development of the bubonic plague.

Why Should I Care? As a result of nationalism leading to power struggles, disease, Church division, and 100 Years War; the power of the Church and feudalism (two great medieval institutions) was shattered. Out of all of this, we see the emergence of a new powerful institution known as the Nation. (Spain, France, and England) This period also created an atmosphere for change which will become known as the Renaissance era.

 Why does this matter? These factors led to development of modern European nations such as France and England. It also contributed to the decline of the Roman Catholic’s influence on civilization leading to a more secular way of thinking about the world. We call this a rebirth of the arts and learning (Renaissance).

 Crusades  Nationalism  Bubonic Plague  Church Crisis  100 Years War  Overall Philosophical Change

 Feudalism (P)  Chivalry (S)  Religious idealism ®  Weakening of Byzantine empire  Recapture Jerusalem and rescue the Holy Land from the Muslim Turks (R)  Italian merchants desire for commercial power (E)  (There is usually always going to be a political, economic, social, and/or religious motive influencing a group to do something)

 Decline in papal (church) prestige  Decline in feudal power  Increase in monarch’s power  Increased religious intolerance  Expansion of trade by Italian cities

 Nationalism on the rise (loyalty to a nation)  People no longer being loyal to feudal lords  By 1300, both England and France have expanded  England has gained more land holding nobility  France getting all their land back from English kings  These nations now have modern borders  France and England are no longer feudal; but more centrally governed (realize feudalism dies out in waves; not everyone ends feudalism at same time)  The Church is now challenged by the governments of both England and France (power struggle)

 End of the 1200s: Boniface VIII is the Pope. He does not recognize the rise of power of Kings  The Pope tries to order King Phillip IV to not tax clergy. King responds by sending troops to Italy.  All through the 1300s, the Papacy declined and the office moved to Avignon, France  Eventually, Pope returned to Rome, but Popes could no longer tell monarchs what to do.

 Two Popes in Europe signified “The Great Schism” ( )  Reformers such as Wycliffe and Huss surfaced because of Church troubles leading them to question Church practices  This was the prelude to the Renaissance and Reformation

 France and England fight the 100 years War  England tried to get French territory back: Joan of Arc didn’t let that happen  Nationalism caused English people to see the king as more of a national leader as opposed to a feudal lord  Nationalism drove the French to throw support behind Joan of Arc

 1347: Defining health issue of the Middle Ages-The Black Death  Bubonic plague that struck Italy first and spread north over the next 2-3 centuries  Peasant revolts further weakened feudal system

 Supply and Demand At Work  If free peasants/serfs are dying off because of plague, who is affected?  What advantages do peasants have since they are so few of them?

 Church problems will lead to people living a life less dependent on Church instruction  The Black Death greatly reduced population and led to Economic opportunity  People started to shun everything that was deemed from the “Dark Ages”  Classic pursuits were followed (things from Greece and Rome)