The End of the Middle Ages

Food Supply Begins to Expand Climate began warming up around world Opened new areas in north to farming New ways to farm are created Began using horses instead of oxen – faster Invented a new collar harness for horse Old one for oxen choked the horses Began using the 3-field system Split their fields into 3 areas vs. just 2 Allowed them to farm 2/3 of land vs. just 1/2 Increased farming led to more food More food led to healthier people who lived longer Living longer meant larger population Larger pop. needs more food, more farms to grow More Farms More Food Longer Life More People

Trade and Finance Expand Trade began expanding due to Crusades Fairs- people from manors go to trade goods Guilds- group of people doing the same job Sort of like a union- helped to control wages Towns grow with increased population People begin specializing their work again People need to borrow money for business Had to buy products to be able to sell them Christians not allowed to lend money Usury- charging interest on loaned money Jews able to- become the first lenders

The City is Reborn but Smaller Populations of towns explodes quickly Smaller than cities from past, but were full People ran to towns to flee peasant/serf life Considered free after a year and one day in town Towns were crowded and unplanned Streets were narrow, full of animals No sewers, human waste dumped in streets Town growth begins to ruin feudal system Feudal lords still controlled lands Rebellions were common against landlord Do not like the high taxes when they are free

The Revival of Learning Growth of farming, population and time leads to the revival of learning again Universities are created Was a group of people, not a building People went to school to get better jobs Went for 5-13 years; wanted government jobs Scholars study ancient works at Muslim libraries Translate works back to Latin Writers begin using vernacular Writing in the local dialect/language Different because its not Latin Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales (example)

The Formation of England Around 800s Angles and Saxons settled on the island of Britain Known as the “land of the Angles” England becomes united in early 1000s King dies in 1066 with no heir to throne William the Conqueror claims it Was the cousin of the dead king Came from Normandy, France Attack known as the Norman Conquest William was not the only person to claim Battle of Hastings- battle for England William the Conqueror wins; takes all land

Leaders of England After William William dies, Henry II takes over Descendant of William the Conqueror Marries Eleanor of Aquitaine (France) Now held lands in France and England She gave birth to 2 famous kings Richard the Lion-Hearted and King John Henry II institutes new system of law Sent judges to handle cases, instituted the use of 12 man juries in England Eventually created a body of laws Became known as ‘common law’ The basis for law in countries around the world today

The Children of Henry II Richard would go fight in the Crusades Would later die, power goes to John King John was a terrible leader Losses the kingdoms land in France Constantly trying to raise taxes Nobles revolt against him because of it Nobles force him to sign the Magna Carta (1215) Document guaranteed certain political rights Rights applied to all people, limits king’s power No tax without representation, a jury trail, protection of law These now considered people’s basic rights Later a parliament will be created in England Gave equal representation to all areas (1295)

The Hundred Years War War b/w England and France- 1337 - 1453 Fought while the plague is spreading French king dies with no heir, England claims it England wins 3 major early battles Win b/c longbowmen better than knights Longbowmen can attack faster and further away Knights were slow and needed to be close Would end the age of the knight Joan of Arc – teenage girl, savior of France France had signed treaty to give up lands soon Has visions she is to save France, and saves France Joan later captured – given to England England gives her to Church who puts her on trial Found to be a witch; was burned by the Church French king never tries to save her

Impacts of the Hundred Years War French win the war, keep their lands French king gains power and prestige Country of France seen as stronger English embarrassed by their loss Strengthens the powers of parliament Both countries grow stronger feelings of nationalism for their country Love/respect for one’s country Considered the end of the Middle Ages Also the end of chivalry and religious devotion Considered the end of the Age of Faith as well