The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages Period of European history from 500-1500 known as the Middle Ages Broken down into 3 main periods: Early Middle Ages (Dark Ages) 500-1000 Period of decentralization and chaos

The Middle Ages High Middle Ages 1000-1300 Late Middle Ages 1300-1500 Europe enjoys a period of cultural revival based on trade Joined together by Christianity Late Middle Ages 1300-1500 Overlaps with the period known as the Renaissance, esp. in Italy Period of social unrest, warfare, plague Followed by recovery

Feudalism Primary social, political, military, and economic organization of the Middle Ages Based on the relation of the lord to the vassal Vassal receives land from the lord, in return the vassal provided military service to the lord Land run as estates (manors) Lords dispensed justice and kept order – also warred among themselves Emerged as a result of new wave of invasions after 750

Feudalism

Manorialism Manor was an agricultural estate Majority of people were serfs, bound to the land, who farmed under the control of the nobility Manor consisted of the lord’s house and a small village, farmland, and forest Serf worked the land owed the lord obligations, in return the lord protected the serf

Manorialism This was the basic economic/social setup of Europe until the 1500s (in some cases until the early 1900s)

Christianity Served to unify Europe following the decline of Rome Rome was one of two headquarters for the Church, other was Constantinople Western Europe the Roman Church was dominant Eastern Europe the Byzantine (Orthodox) Church was dominant Church did preserve many of the ideas, language, and writings of the Romans

Christianity By 1000 the Church/Pope was the politically dominant force in western Europe Pope had more political power than many kings Owned vast amounts of land

Major Groups

The Franks Most important of all German tribes were the Franks Overran and settled much of the western Roman Empire-Gaul in particular Built their own empire that lasted from about 751-843 Rivaled Rome in size

The Franks Greatest ruler was Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (r. 768-814) Rebuilt schools Run by Irish monks Coined money Empire declined after his death

The Franks The empire after Charlemagne’s death – Louis the Pious was a weak ruler Grandsons of Charlemagne divided his empire into 3 parts in 843 with the Treaty of Verdun

Vikings Began to raid western Europe after 750 Emerged from Scandinavia as the result of overpopulation After 800 were colonizers of England, Ireland, France, Sicily, and North America By 1000 were Christian

Vikings Developed naval technology that allowed them to sail across oceans and up rivers – the longboat

England One of the most stable states in western Europe Developed several small kingdoms after the Romans left Fate was wrapped up with that of France After 1066 French-speaking Normans took over England (Norman Conquest)

England Norman imposed the feudal system on England By 1170 they had moved beyond feudalism and created a justice system for the entire country Consisted of common law, jury system, and the idea of checks placed on the power of the king After 1215 the rights of the nobles were guaranteed by the Magna Carta After 1296 a council known as Parliament was developed. Later became a legislature. Was frequently at war with its neighbors

France After 950 the ruling dynasty were the Capets Controlled the area around Paris By 1200 they had enlarged their domain to include most of France By 1400 was the largest nation in western Europe

The Hundred Years War 1337-1453 England vs. France Causes Political entanglements of the English and French ruling families France attempted to regain territory held by the English Competition over the wool trade War ended in 1453 with an English defeat

Holy Roman Empire Major political unit of central Europe Neither “Holy,” “Roman,” or an “Empire” Based on the state founded by Charlemagne in the late 700s

The Holy Roman Empire Emperor’s position was elected, not hereditary Population was ethnically diverse – contained several states Supported the Catholic Church After 1438, the Empire was controlled by the Hapsburg family (until 1918)

Italy Made up of various states – not unified Passed from the control of the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Spanish, French, and HRE Began to develop economically as a result of the Crusades The Renaissance centered on Italy as a result of its great wealth

Spain Conquered by the Muslims (Moors) during the 700s Divided into several Christian and Muslim kingdoms

Spain For 750 Christians attempted to regain the peninsula – known as the Reconquista – lasted until 1492 Shaped the character of the Spanish state that emerged after 1492 – very rigid and intolerant

Byzantium Byzantine Empire was the remnants of the Eastern Roman Empire Based in the city of Byzantium (Constantinople) Fused Roman and Greek heritage Became the center of a political and commercial empire that lasted until 1453 Was in decline after 1071 Conquered by Venetians in 1201

Byzantium

The Crusades Series of religious wars from 1096-1291 Goal was to regain control of the Holy Land (Palestine) from the Muslims

The First Crusade 1096-1099 Byzantium asked for help in fighting the Turks Pope Urban II responded by calling for a Crusade to free the Holy Land in 1096 Took Jerusalem in 1099 and set up 4 Crusader states in Muslim territory – lasted 80 years

Later Crusades Were military failures 4th Crusade- did not even attack the Holy Land – sacked Constantinople/Byzantium. Effects Worsened the relationship between Christians and Muslims Brought a greater awareness of the world to Europe Broadened trade between the Middle East and Europe leading to the increased wealth of the Italian states

The Late Middle Ages Period of Urbanization and growth After 1000 the population of Europe increased dramatically New agricultural techniques like the 3-field/4-field system and an improved horse harness

The Late Middle Ages Trade and commerce grew By 1200 Italy was serving as a middle man in trade between Europe and Asia The Hanseatic League controlled trade in the Baltic and northern Europe Banking was developed

The Late Middle Ages Urbanization Cities grew as the result of trade Many people flocked to the cities for increased opportunity Were not subject to the feudal system Created great social stress in Europe Popular revolts were caused by disrupted agricultural production

Medieval Peasant Revolts Country Year Jacquerie France 1348 Wool Carders (Ciompi) Florence (Italy) 1378 Peasants’ Revolt England 1381 Hussite Wars HRE 1419-36 German Peasants’ War 1524

Medieval Peasant Revolts All fueled by economic dissatisfaction and religious disagreements Persecution of “witches” was also another sign of social stress in the period

The Black Death Most catastrophic event of the 1300s Bubonic/pneumonic plague Destroyed 1/3-1/2 of the population overnight Hit Sicily in 1347 and then spread throughout Italy Killed 25-30 million people Hit sporadically for the next few centuries

The Black Death