The Middle Ages: The Medieval Church The church is the most powerful force in the Middle Ages

Daily Life What does preaching teach? –values and morals –Strengthens faith Provides sacraments (Holy rituals) –EX—Lord’s Supper, Marriage, Last Rites, Confirmation Church sees it has power –declares papal supremacy (pope’s authority) –Est. canon law (Church law) –Had own courts

Monastery and Convent Monks & nuns provide food, shelter, medicine -Center of education -Benedictine Rule: 3 Vows -Loyalty to abbot -Poverty -Chastity Convents—women become nuns

Church Authority & Reform Church grows and gets rich –Tithe (10% tax to the church) –Simony (selling church offices) –Monks lose discipline Kings and Popes clash –The Church had advantage: Excommunication—remove church members

Orders of Friars Traveling monks Franciscans –Francis of Assisi (Italian, once wealthy) –Preached poverty, humility, love of God –Good works by example –Poor Clares: Women’s order Dominicans –Dominic (Spanish monk) –Teaching basics of beliefs Hildegard –Founds a convent –Mystic and musician

Jews in Europe Muslims in Spain tolerant of Jews & Christians Anti-Semitism: prejudice against Jews –Blamed for Death of Jesus Economic problems (many were bankers) Plague Many migrate to E. Euro

Feudalism What is Feudalism? Social Structure of the Middle Ages OathBased on loyalty and importance of the Oath Keep these words in mind while you are watching the film: –Manor –Lords –Vassals –Fief –Knights –Serf –Peasants –Self-Sufficiency

Feudalism

The Manor System Self-Sufficient –All needs provided on estate Controlled by Lord –(who was someone else’s Vassal) –Remember:

Social Pyramid King Lords Lesser Nobles, Knights Serfs Peasants Cannot leave manor Need permission to marry Free

Chivalry Complex rules governing society Three Masters: –Feudal Lord –Heavenly Lord –Chosen Lady Knights usually wealthy –Education starts at 7 till 21 Tournaments, poetry –Jousting practices war –Real warfare brutal Few women had authority Eleanor of Aquitaine

How They Lived: Medieval Town & Country

Look at the picture below. What can you tell about Medieval towns based on what you see?

Source 1 As I entered through the gates of the town, the guard asked me my family name and place of birth. These he made a note of and told me I could enter, but to be out by dark because the gates would be locked. Source 2 The foul stench which greeted my nostrils was more putrid than I can describe. The streets were crowded with all manner of beast; dogs, pigs, goats and rats fought for the food which littered the ground. Source 3 As I walked down the street I saw wooden houses piled on top of each other, at least 3 high! They towered into the sky. There were many streets and I at once became completely lost. People threw their waste from the windows onto the people below. The mess was unbearable to me! Source 4 All of a sudden I stumbled upon a crowded market square where there was a noise and bustle like I have never seen before. There were so many shops, I have never in my life imagined such sights and smells. Goods from all over the world were here to buy.

Expansion of Trade Peasants travel to towns for fairs Peasants travel to towns for fairs – Buy & sell Cloth, foods, leather, dyes, etc – Growth of community – Move away from manors Guilds develop Guilds develop – Group who work in the same occupation – Control wages & prices – Skilled artisans Growth of a Middle Class Growth of a Middle Class

Dangers! Fire Disease Increase in crime

Farming Revolution Climate warms Climate warms New farming technology New farming technology – Harness for horses – Three Field System: Rotate fields that you plant, allows soil to remain fertile Growth of Food Supply=growth of population Growth of Food Supply=growth of population