Culture Religion

Agriculture Between the population of Europe doubled.(38-74 million) Food production increased because of inventions and a climate change. Inventions: Carruca New Harness Use of Iron Three field sys.

Manorial System Agricultural estates were called manors Peasants became serfs bound to the land ½ the land was the lords the rest was left for the peasants Peasants rented pastures and ponds as well

Peasants Homes Peasants lived in one to two room cottages Cottages built of wood with thatched roofs. Central hearth used for cooking. Few windows and no chimney

Peasants Diet Main stay of their diet was bread. Bread very nutritious because it contained wheat, rye, barley, millet, and oats. Ate meat on feast days Raised their own fruit and vegetables Grains also important for making ale

Village Church’s Church was a crucial part of the manor system. Priest taught basic Christian ideas to enable peasants salvation. Most village priest were peasants who could not read so no one is for sure how well the message was spread.

Women’s Role Women worked the fields and had children Their ability to manage the household could determine weather a family survived hard times Often carried on trade of husband after his death

Revival of Trade 11 th and 12 th centuries trade is revived in Europe. Economy no longer just based around agriculture. Trade fairs held to encourage trade between cities. Money economy develops because of trade thus begins commercial capitalism in Europe.

Growth of Cities Cities developed as settlements outside castles If settlement was successful than walls would be built around it connecting it to the castle Merchants and artisans located in these enclosure came to be known as the bourgeoisie

Medieval Cities Lord tried to treat townspeople as serfs By 1100 townspeople had the right to buy and sell property Laws guaranteed them freedom and no military obligations Overtime cities even developed their own government

Daily Life in Medieval Cities Narrow streets and tight living quarters Fire a major threat Towns were dirty and smelled of human and animal waste Rivers were polluted from tanning chemicals Baths were hard to come by

Industry and Guilds 12 th Century craftsman organized into guilds Almost all crafts had its own guild Set quality standards, methods of production, and fixed prices. To learn a craft you began as an apprentice working to a journeyman, and then finally a master.

The Papal Monarchy Church became increasingly involved in the feudal system. Bishops and abbots began to care less about spiritual duties and more about political duties. Eventually Church leaders realized the need to be free from the interference of the lords and politics. Pope Gregory VII decided to to fight the practice of lay investiture He felt if they stopped the lay investiture, the Church would regain the freedom to appoint clergy and run its own affairs.

Pope Gregory VII believed popes authority extended over all rulers. Soon came in conflict with the German King Henry IV. Henry IV appointed high ranking church officials and made officials vassals to fight the power of the nobles. Pope Gregory II issued a decree forbidding lay investiture German king and new pope reached an agreement where Church first elected bishop, and later pays homage to the king.

During the 12 th Century Popes interested in strengthening the papal power. Catholic Church reached the height of its political power under Pope Innocent III. Believed the pope was the supreme judge and ruler of European affairs. To show his force he often used the power of the interdict.

The New Religious Order Religious enthusiasm grew in Europe during the 1 st half of the 12 th century Monasteries were built everywhere and new orders came to life. One new order was the Cistercians founded by Monks in Spread through out Europe because they were more active and took their religion to the people outside of the monastery. A number of women hopped on the religious movement as convents began to pop up.

Thirteenth century the Franciscans and Dominican orders arrived. Franciscans founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Rejected all property and lived by working and begging for food. Became popular with the poor because they lived among them. Franciscans

Dominicans Founded by a Spanish Priest named Dominic de Guzman Defend the church against the teaching of heresy. Believed best way to combat heresy was to live in poverty with the people and preach effectively. Group would later help the Church discover and deal with heretics through the Inquisition. Heretics who confessed performed a public penance and were punished. Those who did not confess were tortured until they confessed and if they did not confess were considered guilty and executed. Using force to save souls seemed like the right thing to do.

Popular Religion in the High Middle Ages Sacraments of the Catholic Church important to the people (baptism, communion, and marriage) Saints important as well. Saints held special positions in heaven and could ask favors before the throne of God.

Big Time Saints Saint Nicholas the patron saint of Children. Virgin Marry the highest regarded saint of the Middle Ages. Relics of these saints were often worshiped because they offered a connections between earth and god.

Medieval Universities Medieval universities were guilds that produced educated and trained individuals. First university appeared in Bologna, Italy. The first university in Europe was the University of Paris during the 12 th century followed by Oxford in England. There were 80 European universities by 1500.

Students began with the basics of liberal arts, grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. Instructors used lecture method and gave no written exams. To graduate students had to take an oral exam with a committee of teachers. Universities provided teachers, administrators, lawyers, and medical doctors.

Scholasticism Theology was the most highly regarded subject at medieval universities. Theological system known as scholasticism became important. Main point was to harmonize Christian teaching with the Greek Philosophy (Especially Aristotle) Aristotle of course came to conclusion through reasoning and thought not faith causing some contradictions to the church teachings. Saint Thomas Aquinas attempted to reconcile Aristotle with Christianity through his Summa Theologica. Came to the conclusion that reason and experience could arrive at truths about the physical world, but faith was need to grasp the spiritual truths.

The 11 th and 12 th centuries witnessed an explosion of architecture especially churches. Initially built in Romanesque style. In the 12 th century the Gothic style appeared. Gothic cathedrals rose higher creating an impression of the building reaching the towards the Gods. Architecture

This natural light symbolized the divine light of God. Gothic cathedrals had fairly thin walls and now had windows with magnificent stained glass.