Chapter 10

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During the late medieval period, there was a gradual breakdown of the church, the manor system, and feudalism. Commerce and trade altered the economy and small towns and cities sprouted up. A middle class formed out of businessmen. Kings who amassed large armies were able to overpower popes and feudal nobility altering the power status quo.

Section II: Growth of Towns Renewed trade stimulated the growth of towns. They provided the needed markets for the increase in agricultural products brought on by improved farming methods. The increased food supply boosted the population. The increased food supply also allowed for an increase in surplus to sell, this allowed craftsmen and tradesmen to devote more time to their craft and business than to growing crops.

Merchants and craftsmen did not quite fit into the feudal system, yet they were still considered to be subject to some feudal lord. Townsmen with similar interests banded together to gain freedom from feudal interference and secure self government. This freedom could be bought, or was sometimes given freely by a lord. In this instance-towns revolted.

Most townsmen had certain freedoms Free Status – Anyone who lived in a town for 1 year and a day was considered free, regardless of his previous status Exemption from Manorial Obligations – Townsmen were exempt from labor obligations, they paid a cash payment instead. Town Justice – Townsmen were tried in the town court and judged according to town customs Commercial privileges – Free from feudal interference to buy and sell freely in the town market

Two types – merchant and craft Merchants and craftsmen formed guilds to regulate the business activity of a given town Also prided aid to members in need Established schools and cared for the poor, widows and orphans Helped town obtain favorable charters and played an important role in town government Two types – merchant and craft

Merchant guilds – guarded trade interests, creating a monopoly of a towns trade. Restricted outsiders from doing business without paying a heavy fee. Fixed prices Later separated into specialized craft guilds (banks/butchers/bakers….) Craftsmen guilds – regulated work hours, wages earned, and number of workers hired. Quality of the crafts was guaranteed. Those disobeying regulations were fined. Three classes of members: apprentice, journeyman, master

This league sought to organize and control trade in the Baltic region. Towns often formed associations to promote mutual commercial interests. The most famous of these was the Hanseatic League made up of over seventy German cities in North western Europe. This league also became a political force negotiating treaties, maintaining a navy and waging war against other countries. This league sought to organize and control trade in the Baltic region.

This class shaped the new medieval society by: The growth of small towns created a new social class – the Middle Class. This class shaped the new medieval society by: Contributing to the decline of the feudal system Threatening the position of the noblemen Weakening the political authority of the noblemen They desired the stable and uniform government of a national king rather than a feudal lord.

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Decline of the Roman Church Opposition to the authority of the Church steadily increased during the 14th and 15th century. Simply because the corruption of the clergy grew. National loyalties began to overshadow church loyalties. Since Pope Innocent III, the papacy had lost its control not only on the kings of Europe but also its position of leadership in the church.

Pope Boniface VIII The decline of the papacy began under Boniface VIII. Trouble began when he suffered series of humiliating defeats at the hand of the French king, Philip IV. Philip IV taxed the French clergy. Boniface refused to allow this. Philip ignored him. The conflict intensified when Philip arrested a criminal bishops and brought him before a royal court. Boniface ordered the king to release the bishop. Philip ignored it.

Boniface issued the famous papal bull (an official papal document) Unam Sanctam (1302). This document stated that if you don’t listen to the Roman pontiff (rules) then you will not be saved. Philip, supported by his people defied the pope. He accused Boniface of heresy and sought to bring him to trial. Philip sent agents and soldiers to collect the Pope. The people of Rome aided Boniface and he was soon freed. But never fully recovered from the shock and embarrassment. He died a month later.

Papal Exile National feeling and royal power triumphed over the demands of the papacy. After Boniface, the next Pope was a Frenchman. He never stepped foot in Rome and moved the papal capital to Avignon, France. From 1309-1377 the popes all Frenchmen, resided at Avignon. This is called the period of “Babylonian Captivity” or the Avignon exile. Though the popes were not captive they did support the French monarch.

During the Avignon years the papacy declined even further. Nationalism caused the English, Germans and Italians to resent a “French-controlled” papacy. On top of that, bishops and the church still had some corruption.

Papal Schism The papacy returned to Rome in 1377. The Pope who moved it back to Rome died. Leaving the College of Cardinals (mostly lead by French) to choose a new pope. A Roman mob forced them to elect an Italian as Pope. Months later the Cardinals declared the election invalid and elected a new pope., who moved back to Avignon. The Roman church now had two popes. Both popes claimed to be the rightful pope and each excommunicated the other. For 40 yrs this Great Schism, divided the allegiances of the nations of Europe.

Council of Constance In 1409, church leaders met in Pisa to resolve the schism. The council removed both popes and appointed a new one. However the two popes refused to relinquish their office. So…the church now had THREE popes. The matter was finally settled in the Council of Constance (1414-1418). The leaders succeeded in deposing the other popes and electing Martin V as the sole pope. The council restored the papacy to Rome but was unwilling to start any meaningful reforms. And failed to stop the growing criticism of the church.