Chapter 14 – The High Middle Ages Section One: The Crusades

To Christians, Jews, and Muslims, Palestine (Jerusalem) was a holy land. In the 600s, Muslim Arabs took control of Palestine. They let Christians and Jews practice their religions, travel freely, and trade. During the Middle Ages, however, this situation changed. During the late 1000s, the Seljuq Turks (Muslims) from Central Asia gained control of Palestine.

When they threatened Constantinople, the Byzantine emperor called on Pope Urban II in Rome for help In 1095 Pope Urban II met with church leaders and feudal lords in Clermont, France They were asked to join in a great war to win back the Holy Land = The Crusades Their battle cry was “God wills it!”

Causes of the Crusades The Crusades were a series of military expeditions to regain the Holy Land by the Christians At least 10,000 Europeans participated; sewed a cross on their clothing and were called crusaders (“marked with a cross”) Reasons people joined: Save their souls Knights hoped to gain land and wealth Merchants saw a chance to make money

The First Crusade 1096 – 1099 French and Italian lords led armies from Europe to Constantinople; continued on to Palestine (Jerusalem) Suffered during their march – lacked food and water, overheated in wool and leather clothes and heavy armor Fleets of ships from Italy brought them supplies when they reached Jerusalem Turks were disunited and unable to prevent crusaders from surrounding city Crusaders slaughtered Muslims and Jews and captured Jerusalem

Results of First Crusade: Brought much of Holy Land under European control Introduced idea of feudalism and divided land into fiefs, with lords and vassals Trade between Europe and Holy Land strengthened Christians and Muslims now lived alongside each other and began to respect each other European Christians held onto Palestine for almost 100 years Turks eventually won back lands

Second Crusade – failed to regain Jerusalem Third Crusade – failed to regain Jerusalem but settled for a truce and allowed Christians to enter Jerusalem freely Fourth Crusade – attacked Constantinople and brought it under European control for 60 years Children’s Crusade – young people from across Europe were unprepared and thousands died

The Crusades continued until 1291, when the Muslims captured the city of Acre Acre was the last Christian stronghold in the Holy Land

Results of Crusades All failed except First Crusade Muslims again controlled Palestine Crossbow became main weapon for Europeans Learned from Byzantines and Muslims how to use catapults and gunpowder Some lords sold land to raise money for crusades Without land, they had no power in feudal system

Results of Crusades With fewer lords, power of European kings grew stronger Helped bring an end to feudalism Christian church became more powerful Popes organized crusades and thus took on more importance Ideas were exchanged as Europeans came in contact with Byzantines and Muslims – enriched European culture Italian cities became major trading centers

Section 5: Wars and the Growth of Nations

England By the late Middle Ages, England’s feudal lords had lost much of their power to its king Single system of law and courts, larger army, and more taxes helped strengthen the king In early 1300s the English king also held land in France – he was therefore a vassal of the French king – led to Hundred Years’ War (English king wanted control of French throne)

Hundred Years’ War (1337 – 1453) 116 years of raids and battles between England and France Long periods of uneasy peace England won many battles but lost the war New weapons used – French knights on horseback were no match for the English and their longbows Both English and French used gunpowder and cannons (could destroy castles) France suffered during Hundred Years’ War because war took place in France

Spain Became united in 1479 under Ferdinand and Isabella Spanish army captured last stronghold of Muslims in Spain in 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella took powers away from church courts and nobles Ordered all Jews and Muslims to become Christians or leave Spain Most did leave – thus Spain lost many trade and industry leaders

Section 6: Challenges to Church Power

Innocent III After Pope Innocent, (1198 – 1216) worldly power of church weakened because: Power was shifting – kings of England, France, and Spain were forming strong governments Many felt church laws limited their trade and industry People began to question church practices

More Church Problems Great Schism – church was divided and had two or three popes; in 1417 it was decided to have one pope In the late 1300s, John Wycliffe (priest and teacher) stated he did not believe in absolute power of pope – wanted to replace authority of church with that of the Bible Felt that people should read and interpret Bible as they wished, without church intervention Great appeal among Europeans Accused of being a heretic but not executed – defended by English royal court Questioning of church authority set the stage for later reforms – profound impact on Christian church