Medieval Society England & France Develop Mr. Snell HRHS

Setting the Stage Church reform, cathedral building, Crusades are all happening. Other major changes occur between 1000-1300 C.E. New institution born – The University

Growing Food Supply Expanding civilization required improved farming. Warmer climate brought more harvest. New farm land, new tools. Switch to horsepower Oxen  Horses Horses need more food, farm 3X as much land.

Three-Field System Two planting fields One fallow field Farmers growing on 2/3 of land instead of half. Production increased. More food, better lives, longer lives, more pop.

Guilds Craftspeople organized into business associations Apprentice Journeymen Master

Guilds

Commercial Revolution Expansion of trade and business. Fairs and trade: Most trade occurred in towns. Several fairs per year. Cloth most common trade item. More goods from foreign land available. Merchant risk

Business and Banking Moving traders needed large amounts of cash or credit and ways to exchange currencies. Bills of exchange – coinage transfer rates Letters of credit – eliminated cash Merchant Profit? Church Sin – usury – lending money w/ interest. Church finally relaxed

Society Changes What people did for a living. Where people lived. Towns attracted workers, grew into cities.

Urban Life Flourishes Trade and Towns Grow Together Narrow streets, animals in street, waste in street. No sewers, people dump waste into streets. Most people didn’t bathe. Houses of wood = fire hazards Serfs began running away Gained freedom after living in a town for 1 year 1 day.

Revival in Learning Muslim Connection Scholars and University Jews translated Arabic/Greek work to Latin. New knowledge in science, philosophy, law, math. Crusaders brought back new technology. Ships, navigation, weapons. Scholars and University People, not buildings made up the university. Vernacular – everyday language of their homeland.

Literature Dante alighieri – The Divine Comedy in Italian Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales in English. Christine de Pisan – The Book of The City of Ladies in French. Most people couldn’t read/understand Latin, but they could understand these languages.

Medieval Philosophy Christians not excited about Greek philosophy. Thomas Aquinas – Proof by logical argument. Combined ancient Greek thought with Christian thought of the time. Scholastics - Schoolmen

England and France Develop Setting the Stage: Early 800s – Small Anglo-Saxon kingdoms cover Britain. Decline of Carolingian Empire left feudal states. Towns & Villages grow = no more feudal system. England/France are first nations to develop a strong unified government.

England Absorbs Invaders Various invading forces landed on English shores. Angles + Saxons formed = Anglo-Saxons. Early Invasions: Vikings came in early 800s. Alfred the Great – Anglo-Saxon King who turned back the Vikings. United kingdom under one rule, called it England

Early Invasions Cont. 1016 Danish King Canute conquered England. Molded Anglo-Saxons and Vikings into one people. 1042 King Edward takes the throne. 1066 King Edward dies without an heir. The struggle for the throne began…one last invasion…

The Norman Conquest Invader Rival William, Duke of Normandy aka William the Conqueror. Normandy is northern France, controlled by Vikings. William claimed the English crown and invaded England with his Norman army. Harold Godwinson, Anglo-Saxon, also claimed the throne.

Battle of Hastings October 14, 1066. Harold killed by an arrow that pierced his eye. Norman Victory William declares England his property. Granted land to 200 Norman lords who swore oaths. Kept 1/5 for himself personally. Laid foundation for centralized government in England.

Domesday Book First census since Roman times

England’s Evolving Government Two goals: Hold and add to their French Lands Strengthen their own power over the nobles and the church. Henry II marries Eleanor of Aquitaine (France). Adds Aquitaine to Normandy

Henry II Ruled England from 1154-1189 C.E. Implemented Juries and Common Law. Jury – group of loyal people, usually 12 neighbors of the accused. Common Law- Unified English body of law. Basis for our law in the USA today.

The Magna Carta Henry II’s son was Richard the Lionhearted. Died, his son John took the throne. John ruled from 1199-1216 C.E. Failed as a military leader, “John Softsword” Lost Normandy to Phillip Augustus of France. John sucked… Forced heavy taxes on the people Alienated the church Threatened to take away self-government Nobles revolted.

Signing of the Magna Carta June 15, 1215 Nobles force John to sign the Magna Carta. The most celebrated document in English history. Guaranteed basic political rights. No taxation without representation, jury trials, protection of the law. Parliament – creates english law

Edward I - Parliament Parliament – Governing body that makes England’s laws. Strengthened under Edward I in 1295 by having representation from all parts of England. Though the King > Parliament. House of Lords – Nobles and Clergy House of Commons – Knights and Townspeople

France 987 – Death of last Carolingian King. Hugh Capet establishes new Capetian Dynasty. France was ruled by more Frenchman, less English.

1302 Estates General was established by: King Philip IV (French Parliament) 1st estate- Clergy 2nd estate- Nobles 3rd estate- Townspeople and peasants