The Middle Ages
Periodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500
Europe in the 6c
The Medieval Catholic Church filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical world. monasticism: St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience. provided schools for the children of the upper class. inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war. libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts. monks missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface]
The Power of the Medieval Church bishops and abbots played a large part in the feudal system. the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. tried to curb feudal warfare only 40 days a year for combat. curb heresies crusades; Inquisition tithe 1/10 tax on your assets given to the church. Peter’s Pence 1 penny per person [paid by the peasants].
A Medieval Monk’s Day
A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium
Illuminated Manuscripts
Romanesque Architectural Style Rounded Arches. Barrel vaults. Thick walls. Darker, simplistic interiors. Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.
Charlemagne: 742 to 814
Charlemagne’s Empire
Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800
The Carolingian Renaissance
Carolingian Miniscule
The Rise of European Monarchies: England
Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses: Treaty of Verdun, 843
Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.
Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle
Parts of a Medieval Castle
The Road to Knighthood KNIGHT SQUIRE PAGE
Chivalry: A Code of Honor and Behavior
The Medieval Manor
Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work
The "Renaissance" of the 12c
William the Conqueror: Battle of Hastings, 1066 (Bayeaux Tapestry)
Evolution of England’s Political System Henry I: William’s son. set up a court system. Exchequer dept. of royal finances. Henry II: established the principle of common law throughout the kingdom. grand jury. trial by jury.
Evolution of England’s Political System Henry I: William’s son. set up a court system. Exchequer dept. of royal finances. Henry II: established the principle of common law throughout the kingdom. grand jury. trial by jury.
Magna Carta, 1215 Runnymeade “Great Charter” King John I Runnymeade “Great Charter” monarchs were not above the law. kings had to consult a council of advisors. kings could not tax arbitrarily.
The Beginnings of the British Parliament Great Council: middle class merchants, townspeople [burgesses in Eng., bourgeoisie in Fr., burghers in Ger.] were added at the end of the 13c. eventually called Parliament. by 1400, two chambers evolved: House of Lords nobles & clergy. House of Commons knights and burgesses.
The Rise of European Monarchies: France
Gothic Architectural Style Pointed arches. High, narrow vaults. Thinner walls. Flying buttresses. Elaborate, ornate, airier interiors. Stained-glass windows. “Flying” Buttresses
Pope Urban II: Preaching a Crusade
Setting Out on Crusade
Christian Crusades: East and West
Medieval Universities
Oxford University
Late Medieval Town Dwellings
Medieval Trade
Medieval Guilds Guild Hall Commercial Monopoly: Controlled membership apprentice journeyman master craftsman Controlled quality of the product [masterpiece]. Controlled prices
Medieval Guilds: A Goldsmith’s Shop
Crest of a Cooper’s Guild
Late Medieval Europe 1300-1450
More than you ever wanted to know about the Anglo-French connections Roots in the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 (Battle of Hastings) French dukes of Normandy retained lands in France and held title of “King of England” French kings were weak feudal lords holding little authority outside of Île de France (Paris and the surrounding countryside) French aristocracy often married their daughters off to the sons of the kings of England, further complicating dynastic alliances Eleanor of Aquitaine: m. Louis IX of France, then Henry II of England (large French province become English land) Isabella of Angoulême: m. John I, mother to Henry III Eleanor of Provence: m. Henry III, mother to Edward I Isabella of France: m Edward II, mother to Edward III, overthrew husband with aid of her lover, Roger Mortimer, imprisoned by her son Edward III was heir to properties in France which made him a threat to French royal power, in addition to his claim to the throne
100 Years’ War Death of Charles IV of France, last Capetian king, no surviving male heirs Edward III of England claims the throne of France through his mother’s line. Claim denied by France due to Salic Law, rule passes to Philip VI Valois Edward III goes to war with Philip VI to claim the throne of France
100 Year’s War (1337-1453) Major Players: England: Edward III, Edward the Black Prince, Henry IV, Henry V France: Philip (Phillippe) VI of Valois Flanders: sought independence from French rule; early role in the war Burgundy: rival for control of France; aided Henry V; eventually a Hapsburg possession; Cf. Huizinga’s Autumn of the Middle Ages
Major territorial gains 1328: Pre-war land status 1382: English losses reason for overthrow of Richard II 1430: Henry V of England allied with Burgundians 1470: Post-war situation
Major Battles and Happenings Crecy: longbow > cavalry Poitiers: Black Prince Agincourt: Heroic win for Henry V Orleans: Joan of Arc Black Death: 1356-9 Peasant’s Revolt: 1381 Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy: 1305-1378
Black Death Not quite known exact origins or nature of disease, even today Bubonic plague / anthrax combination? Thought to be spread by rats Caused the death of 33% to 50% of Europe
Reactions to the Black Death What are the two main reactions to tragedy? Decameron, Boccaccio How would a worldwide plague affect the world today? Who benefits from such a plague?
English Peasant’s Revolt, 1381 Spurred by John Ball, Lollard priest Led by Wat Tyler,killed as a rebel Lollards John Wycliffe’s followers Bible in English Called for reform of Church “Church of the Saved” Association with revolt drove it underground
Babylonian Captivity First things: Roman Catholic Church hierarchy Priests/monks Bishops/abbots Archbishops (Cardinals) Pope (Bishop of Rome) Pope’s political position Ruler of Papal States Needed to maintain armies to hold position Often threatened by Germanic, French, and Italian city-states
Move to Avignon Ostensibly, Roman patrician families battling for influence deposed Pope Boniface VIII Influence of French cardinals caused election of Clement V, a Frenchman. Clement V elected to reside in Avignon Perception was that the popes made decisions at behest of King of France
Critics England, at war with France, resented papal judgments on behalf of France Marsiglio of Padua Defensor Pacis 1st to write for a separation of church and state William of Ockham Ockham’s Razor Accused Pope John XXII of heresy
Papacy restored to Rome Catherine of Siena intervened, pleading for papal return to Rome Great Western Schism of 1378-1417 Rise of Conciliar Movement
Social History Race deals with nationality, not skin color What is a nation? Statute of Kilkenny: “No marriages between those of immigrant and native stock”
Vernacular Literature (Divine) Comedy Dante Alighieri Italian: Il Commedia Journey through hell to heaven Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer English; pilgrimage stories The City of Ladies Christine di Pisan First “feminist” writings; shows influence of women in stabilizing court culture