MIDDLE AGES

 Most Powerful and influential Institution during Middle Ages  Brought Order & Unity  Functions: 1. Religious-Excommunication 2. Political-Canon Law 3. Economic-Tithe 4. Social-Education

CLERGY:  1. POPE – head of the Church  2. BISHOPS – leads the Diocese {today there are about 3000 worldwide}  3. PRIESTS – in charge of parish {Deacons assist Priests}  {Cardinals are advisors appointed by the Pope They elect the Pope…}

 Churches (Cathedrals) were built during Middle Ages starting in 1100 Characteristics:  Stained Glass Windows  Tall Spires  Pointed Arches  Ribbed Vaults  Flying Buttresses

 Series of Holy Wars between Muslims & Christians lasting over 300 years  Crusaders comprised military units of Roman Catholics from all over western Europe were not under unified command  Wars took place in the Middle East: Christians vs. Muslims  Main reason – Christians wanted to recover “HOLY LAND” from the Muslims

 Regain Holy Land (Palestine) from Muslims  Pope hoped to unite Roman and Byzantine Christians  Sins would be forgiven  Gain wealth & land  Adventure –excitement & travel  Get rid of quarrelsome Knights  Serfs wanted to escape

 POPE URBAN II calls for “holy war”- take back control of holy land and help out Byzantines  Soldiers recruited from all over Western Europe (France, Germany, Italy, England, Spain)  July 15, 1099 Crusaders entered Jerusalem  Massacred Jews/Muslims took control of city  Muslims surprised by attacks not united under single ruler

 Crusaders establish Christian states in: *JERUSALEM *ANTIOCH *EDESSA  Edessa recaptured by Muslims in 1144 leading to the Second Crusade

 Unites most of the Muslim world – Egypt, Syria, North Africa, Mesopotamia  July 4, 1187 – defeats Crusader army at Battle of Hattin  October 2, 1187 – Saladin captures Jerusalem from Christians  Loss of Jerusalem leads to Third Crusade

 Attempt by England, France, & Germany to regain Jerusalem  Crusaders led by King of England – Richard The Lionheart  Crusaders did win some victories but unable to recapture Jerusalem  Richard & Saladin sign peace treaty – Muslims controlled city but Christians could freely visit

 After the Third Crusade there would be 5/6 more attempts by Christians to recapture Jerusalem – all ended in failure  “Holy Land” remained under the control of Muslims until after World War I

 Increased Trade & Commerce Fruits, carpets, fabrics, perfumes, spices, pepper (all goods from the Middle East)  Encouragement of Learning – Greek & Roman writings {new ideas in Medicine, Science, Literature, Art}  Cultural Diffusion – Islamic Culture Goes West  Helped Undermine Feudalism – rise of Kings  Religious Hatred – Muslims/Christians

 I. AGRICULTURE – climate became warmer *Used Horses instead of Oxen *Three Field System – rotated crops *Food Production increased *People Lived Longer

 II.TRADES: *Development of GUILDS *Made up of workers who did same job *Worked to improve economic/social conditions *Set Standards and Prices/Made Rules

 III. FINANCE – COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION *Expansion of trade and banking *Jews became chief sources of loans *Catholic Church began to form banks

 Highly Contagious Disease  Spread by fleas that lived on rats  Became an Epidemic – no cure  1300’s – Began in Asia – carried by Mongols along Silk Road  Italian Traders Bring plague to Europe  Spreads Quickly through Europe

 Population Loss – about 1/3 of European pop.  Trade Declined – prices rose, production fell  Feudalism Declined – peasant revolt  Church Suffered – questioned faith  Jews were Blamed – persecuted/killed