A New Civilization Emerges in Western Europe Medieval Europe

Introduction The post-classical period began with the fall of Rome and lasted until the 15th Century This time is known as the Middle Ages or Medieval period Growing interaction with other societies Spread of Christianity Increased trade Europe seen as “backwards & brutish” by Muslims Thomas Aquinas – Italian Monk & religious scholar

Stages of Postclassical Development 6th – 10th centuries Issues in Western Europe Fragmentation Catholic church remained strong Frequent raids by Scandinavian Vikings Literacy declines except among churchmen Center of the post classical west was France, the Low Countries, and Germany

Stages of Postclassical Development I. The Manorial System: Obligations & Alliances Most political organization local until 10th Century Manorialism Agricultural economy Reciprocal obligations between serfs & estate owners Serfs traded labor for protection by lords owning estates Three-field system (crop rotation)

Stages of Postclassical Development II. The Church: Political & Spiritual Power Pope is top authority Follows Roman organization Pope Appoints Bishops Bishops appointed priests Sponsored missionaries

Stages of Postclassical Development Monestaries Benedict of Nursia Benedictian rule Spiritual functions Holiness Networking Secular functions Education Agriculture Universities – 13th century

Stages of Postclassical Development III. Charlemagne & his successors Charles Martel aka Charlemagne Founder of Carolingian line of Frank rulers Beat Muslim invaders Charlemagne (Charles the Great) Crowned emperor Copied Romans Empire split into thirds among grandsons after death Leaders lacked unity Separate languages emerged

Stages of Postclassical Development Emergence of regional kingdoms after breakup of Charlemagne’s empire fell (fragmented) W. Europe had strong central unity centered on Church No single language Germanic, Latin, French, & English Holy Roman Emperors Ruled Germany & Italy

Stages of Postclassical Development IV. New Economic & Urban Vigor Agricultural improvements Greater regional stability Population growth Led to new agricultural lands Growing trade & economic growth Urban (city/town) grow Literacy expands Cathedral schools Universities

Stages of Postclassical Development V. Feudal Monarchies & Political Advances Feudalism linked military elites, mostly landlords Military elites could afford horses & iron weapons Greater lords aid lesser lords called vassals Vassals provided military service Bureaucracies and states formed Specialization of officials Feudal monarchies in France & England

Stages of Postclassical Development Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror) Norman invasion of England Centralized government Sheriffs, courts

Stages of Postclassical Development VI. Limited Government Political fragmentation continues Monarchs limited by church, nobles, towns King John recognizes the supremacy of written law Magna Carta Limits king’s power

Stages of Postclassical Development Parliaments develop 13th century Represents three estates Church, nobles, & urban leaders Dealt with changes in taxation House of Lords Representative body of nobles and the church Commons Elected representatives

Stages of Postclassical Development Monarchs continue to increase in power Hundred Years War War between the national monarchies of England and France over territories the English King controlled in France

Stages of Postclassical Development VII The West’s Expansionist Impulse Population growth spurred expansionist impulse Germanic knights & agriculturalists Germany & Poland Iberia Northern Christian states begin Reconquista Feudal warriors conquered Muslims occupying Spain Ferdinand & Isabella’s marriage unites monarchies Vikings cross the Atlantic Ocean Iceland, Greenland, & Hudson Bay area of Canada

Stages of Post Classical Development Crusades Called by Pope Urban II in 1095 Crusaders promised full forgiveness of sins Crusaders take Jerusalem from the Turks (Muslims) Lose Jerusalem to Muslim general Saladin in 12th Century Third Crusade leads to death of German emperor and imprisonment of the English king Produced a brief truce

Stages of Post Classical Development Fourth Crusades Attack of Constantinople Crusades led to new contact with Islam

Stages of Post Classical Development VIII Religious Reform & Evolution As medieval society developed the church went through periods of decline and renewal Church was wealthy – tempted monks and priests Reform movements to fight secularism in the church in 13th century Franciscans Devoted to poverty & service

Stages of Post Classical Development Exemplars of purity and dedication to church St. Claire of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi Pope Gregory VII Stipulated priests must remain unmarried Tried to free church from any state control Excommunicated (denial of sacraments and being cut off from the church) Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV over investiture of bishops Church was superior to states and free from their interference

Stages of Post Classical Development Governments still influenced religious affairs Church courts set up to rule on religious law Heretics were tried & executed Origin of Western beliefs of Church and State

Stages of Post Classical Development IX The High Middle Ages 12th & 13th Centuries Series of creative tensions Feudal political structures were balanced by central monarchies

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era I. Theology: Assimilating Faith and Reason Revival of Greek Philosophy Aristotle valued Philosophy & Theology co-existed Father Peter Abelard (12th century) Wrote treatise Yes & No Rational examination of doctrines

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era Bernard of Clairvauz Believed reason was dangerous and that God’s truth must be received through faith alone Both Muslims & Christians debated intellectual approach on faith and reason Intellectual drive motivated interest in the Arab world Education increased

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era Thomas Aquinas Taught at University of Paris Believed in faith and reason Summas Scholasticism Dominant philosophical approach in 13th century Didn’t encourage new scientific work – too busy emphasizing logic Roger Bacon – invented eyeglasses

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era II. Popular Religion Most devout Christians Many Christians behavior contradictory Raoul de Cambrai French hero burns convent for nuns insulting his knights Paganism still exist

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era III. Religious Themes in Art and Literature Romanesque architecture Painters using religious subjects almost exclusively Depictions of Christ’s birth, saints, suffering 15th century – stained glass 11th century - Gothic

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era Medieval literature and music religious Vernacular (common) language Helped develop separate European languages First known writings in English Beowulf Canterbury Tales The Romance of the Rose

Western Culture in the Post Classical Era Medieval period had various themes such science and religion Religion main theme Intellectual achievements Philosophy Science art

Changing Economic and Social Forms I. New Strains in Rural Life Improvements in agriculture brought changes in rural life Peasant farmers were able to gain more freedom from landlords (manoralism) Noble landlords still served military functions (feudalism) Landlords raised rents and taxes causing a series of landlord-peasant battles

Changing Economic and Social Forms II. Growth of Trade & Banking Urban growth allowed for more specialized manufacturing and commercial activities Greater trade Long distance trade Money replaces barter – banking introduced Hanseatic League Northern Germany & Scandinavia

Changing Economic and Social Forms Banking & trade = capitalism Jacques Coeur – merchant Merchants were relatively free, but had a low status Guilds Craft association Protected market Ensured standards and quality for consumers

Changing Economic and Social Forms III. Limited Sphere for Women Monastic groups (monsetaries) provide alternative to marriage Women vital to family More freedom that Islamic women Urban women involved in commerce and craft guilds Patriarchy taking a deeper root in western society

Connection: Black Death & Pop Culture Today Ring around the rosy A pocket full of posies Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down

The Decline of Medieval Europe Major problems in 14th & 15th centuries include warfare, over-population, and disease A. Hundred Years War Paid armies favored over reliance on feudal lords Archers unseat armored knights Joan of Arc French win

The Decline of Medieval Europe B. Over Population Agriculture couldn’t keep up with growing population No major technological advances to compensate Famines = population decline

The Decline of Medieval Europe C. The Black Death 1348 Bubonic Plague Killed about 1/3 of Europe’s population Spread by rats and fleas Some believed it was divine punishment Essentially ended Manoralism due to lack of workers Ome

The Decline of Medieval Europe I. Signs of Strain Aristocrats lose military power to professional armies New weapons made traditional fighting obsolete Gunpowder & Cannons Military experts turned into competitors Tournaments chivalry

The Decline of Medieval Europe Still issues with Church and state French kings influence papacy Papacy moved from Rome to Avignon and back to Rome Weakens church, but not religion Mystics – mostly women Church becomes rigid and intolerant of blending rationalism with religion

The Decline of Medieval Europe II. The Postclassical West and its Heritage Universities Gothic art Distinctive ideas of government Christianity