Western Europe

Problems 550-900 CE Rome’s decline left Italy fragmented but Rome still the center of the growing Catholic church Spain in the hands of Muslims Center of the postclassical west (France, Low countries, and southern/western Germany) had new civilization Frequent invasions by the Vikings No intellectual life (only Catholic church monasteries kept some scholarship alive)

Vikings: Going Beserk!

The Manorial System: Obligations and Allegiances Political organization largely local Manorialism- system of economic and political relations between landlords and their peasant laborers where most people were serfs (agricultural workers who received some protection from landlords) Life of serfs not easy Serfs were not slaves; they could not be bought or sold and they retained ownership of their lands as long as they kept up with their obligations

Feudal Monarchies Feudal relationships linked military elites, mostly landlords, who could afford the horses and iron weaponry to fight. Greater lords provided protection to the lesser lords called vassals Early feudalism local, while Charlemagne’s feudalism more stable- he paid his bureaucrats with estates- this inhibited the development of strong central states France England- 1066- William the Conqueror- Duke of Normandy- invaded England and extended his tight feudal system to England

Limited Government Strong monarchies didn’t develop evenly throughout Europe- west divided and diverse Growth of monarchy cut into aristocratic power but this led to new statements on the limits of kings 1215 – Magna Carta- confirmed feudal rights against monarchical claims Late 13th century- creation of parliaments- represented nobles and church

Charlemagne and His Successors Royal house of the Franks grew in 8th century and Carolingians took over the monarchy (Charles Martel- or Charles the Hammer- defeated the Muslims in the battle of Tours in 732 and helped confine the Muslims to Spain) Around 800 Charles the Great, or Charlemagne,( part of the Carolingian line) established strong empire in France and Germany Helped restore some church-based education in western Europe and there was a slow recovery of intellectual activity

Died in 814 and empire split into three portions of inheritance for three grandsons (modern France, Germany, and low countries of Switzerland, and northern Italy) but these were weak rulers and this lead to gradual emergence of regional monarchies and absence of strong bureaucracy Strong cultural unity with Christianity but no single language or government Royal houses claimed the title of emperor around 10th century and called themselves Holy Roman emperors (merging Christian and classical themes)

The West’s Expansionist Impulse East central Europe-from 11th century- Germanic knights in Germany and Poland Spain- small Christian states in the north slowly attacked Muslim government, which ultimately was pushed out by 1492 Crusades against the Muslim control of the Holy Land 1095- Pope Urban II called for First Crusade 1097- met in Constantinople- then conqueror Jerusalem, which they held for a century, until Saladin recaptured it in the 12th century Showed the aggressive spirit of the western middle ages but also exposed the west to new cultural and economic influences from the middle east and a thirst for trade

The Church: Political and Spiritual Power Catholic church only example of solid organization after Roman collapse Extensive missionary activities in England, Germany, Scandinavia, and some parts of eastern Europe Development of a chain of monasteries helped those intense believers, provided some education, and provided an example of holy life

Religious Reform and Evolution Church went through periods of decline and renewal Wealthy institution Franciscan order developed Gregory VII (1073-1085)- tried to purify church and free it from interference by feudal lords Holy Roman Emperors in Germany Investiture Controversy over appointment of bishops

The High Middle Ages 12th-13th centuries- creative tensions Feudal political structures balanced by emerging central monarchies Authority of the church and cultural dominance of Christianity with the intellectual diversity of university life Social order and economy based on agriculture and serfs with important cities , merchants, and new opportunities for farmers

Theology: Assimilating Faith and Reason Before 1000 clergy continued efforts to preserve and interpret past wisdom. High interest in classical principles of rhetoric, particularly logic. Aristotle considered the philosopher. From 1000 onward merged reason and faith- importance of absolute faith to God but human reason could move towards understanding certain aspects of religion and the natural world Peter Abelard- 12th century- took logic to the extreme Bernard of Clairvaux- challenged Abelard- stressed the importance of mystical union with God- reason was dangerous Similarity with Arab intellectuals in 10th and 11th centuries whose faith also relied on the revealed word but who questioned the faith with reason

Part of this led to universities increasing importance, to growing interest in knowledge imported from the classical past and from the Arab world Thomas Aquinas – taught at University of Paris- maintained that belief came first but expanded the scope given to reason Not much new scientific work produced at the time

Popular Religion Christian life ran deep but people really didn’t question it or know it Content of popular belief changed- by 12th century veneration of Mary in order to stress the merciful side of Christianity. People still believed in various magical rituals

Religious Themes in Art and Literature Medieval art and architecture were there to serve the glory of God Western painters used religious subjects exclusively Architecture followed Roman models early on and then developed own Gothic style, which showed increased money, technical skills, and growing Western ability to find new means of expression Literature and music also reflected religious themes. While scholarly works were in Latin, more and more produced in the vernacular with expanding interests, such as romance and adventure Set in motion series of developments that would be the building blocks for later western art and culture

New Strains in Rural Life Improvements in agriculture in 800 changed rural life- most peasants were able to shake off constraints of manorialism and become free farmers Nobles still served military functions and would do so until end of medieval period Serfs pushed to pay higher rent because lords wanted to improve social condition and this tension would turn into a series of peasant-landlord battles until 19th century On the whole lives of peasants increased during the middle ages

Economic and Urban Vigor New developments, such as farming and fighting techniques, bring new sources of strength to west and European nobility defined by land ownership and military power. Monasteries also promoted better agricultural methods Viking raids slow down Increase in population growth 10-13th centuries- this encourages economic innovation- more people mean more markets- landlords look for new land- serfs ultimately gain more independence b/c landlords need to woo workers Rise of cities ( a few with 100,00- whereas China had about 52 cities with 100,000)- this means increase in literacy, new forms of religious life, languages, etc. 11th century 1st universities for law and medicine

Growth of Trade and Banking Urban growth allowed more specialized manufacturing and commercial activities Italians develop banking to facilitate long-distance exchange of money and goods Christian thinkers like Aquinas looked down upon bankers Rising trade- European elite develop taste for luxury items of Asia Hanseatic League- group of cities in northern Germany and southern Scandinavia that joined to encourage trade- part of a growing trend in commercial alliances Roots of capitalism- willingness to invest in trading ventures with the expectation of profit

Still- European traders less tolerant than Muslim and Indian counterparts and less wealthy than some counterparts Rising merchant class gaining powerful and independent role (paid taxes to royal government) Development of guilds- grouped people in the same business together- stressed security and mutual control Contrasts- commercial and capitalist elements jostled against the slower pace of economic life in the countryside. Most people remained peasants but some escaped to the cities

Limited Sphere for Women New limits on conditions of women- women’s work still vital in families, Christian emphasis on equality of all souls, veneration of Mary and other female figures. In some ways held higher status than sisters in Islam. By late middle ages new literature that stressed women’s roles as comforters and assistants. Patriarchal structures taking deeper root

The Decline of the Medieval Synthesis After 1300 change. Strong monarchies adjust state boundaries, Hundred Year’s War between France and England in 14th and 15th centuries (kings eventually had to reduce dependence on nobility and new military methods challenged the monopoly of feudal lords)- ended with French victory (Joan of Arc) but showed signs of stress in French monarchy Agriculture couldn’t keep up with population growth- led to famine Disease- Black death 1348

Signs of Strain 14th century ruling class showed signs of confusion. Claim to power always in control of land and military prowess but now open to question. Chivalry gained ground. Upper class became more cultivated. Shift in balance between church and state. French kings wielded great influence over papacy in early 14th century. Pope moved to Avignon and then back to Rome. Religion still popular but the church as an institution not popular Breakdown in intellectual synthesis – church officials less tolerant of intellectual daring.

The Postclassical West and Its Heritage After 900 gains in population, trade and cities, and intellectual activity created a vigorous period in European history Lasting impacts- universities, gothic style of architecture, new ideas about government Change in the relationship between Europe and the regions around it as Europe gained strength. Advance by imitation. Crusades a distinctive expansionist spirit