> An Agricultural Revolution > The Crusades > The Revival of Trade > The Rebirth of Towns The Medieval Awakening: Renewal and Vitality
793 – 950 Chaos and Disorder in much of Europe
Vikings looking for Danegold
Eventually these marauding raiders ended their pillaging & settled down in many areas of Europe including Normandy, Sicily, Sardinia, southern Italy and Kiev (Russia) and merged with the people. As the dust settled on the chaos and disorder, Europe slowly began to emerge with a new spirit.
Feudalism -a 19 th c. generic term used to decribe Europe from the 900's through the 1200's Key Words: Decentralization Fragmentation Vassal- liege Lord – Monarch (Sovereign) Homage- Oath of Fealty Investiture – Fief Subinfeudation
An Agricultural Revolution
Lords of the manors promoted expansion of cultivated land Higher agricultural production reduced the number of deaths caused by starvation and dietary disease… Grain surplus meant that some livestock could survive the winter increasing fresh meat, milk and manure… Population increased
Benefits for the common man Peasants drained swamps, cleared forests and established new settlements Expansion contributed to the decline of serfdom- lords promised freedom from personal services in return for rent -in France in % were serfs; by 1350 only 10% remained as serfs Surplus food and increased population freed people to work at non-farming occupations, making the expansion of trade possible.
Revival of trade End of Viking attacks Expanding agricultural production Increasing population Greater political stability
Early entrepreneurs: the humble peddler
Cottage industries – “the putting out” system
The Crusades ( )
The Crusades (1096 – 1291) At the Council of Clermont in 1095, Pope Urban II called for “a Holy War against the Infidels…”
Europe’s response: Men “took up the cross” Religious persons who believed “God Wills It” Christians desired papal forgiveness Nobles expected to gain new lands Merchants saw a chance to make profits Serfs sought to escape feudal oppression Adventurers who welcomed travel and excitement
The Crusaders States The 1st Crusade led by Godfrey of Bouillon
After 200 years, … the Crusaders failed to take control of the Holy land but the impact on Europe was life-changing: Broadened the European outlook Stimulated trade Strengthened the power of kings and weakened the nobility Weakened Serfdom Encouraged learning and scholarship
The commercial revolution accelerated… Cities like Venice, Genoa and Pisa grew prosperous during the Crusades and after as increasing trade with Byzantine and Islamic worlds -silks, sugar, spices and dyes increased tremendously. Traveling International Fairs – Champagne Large-scale enterprises on the Atlantic Ocean & the North Sea (Hanseatic League) shared costs, reduced risks led to more profit-making opportunities Advances in business techniques- banking houses; credit; accounting books
Trade Fairs attracted buyers and sellers, merchants from distant places exchanged news, Entertainers and ordinary people
Rebirth of towns and cities: Towns were a revolutionary force- The town residents were “the new man” (middle class) in the social hierarchy
Towns were granted charters of autonomy and merchant and craft guilds evolved
The secular needs of town life led to the birth of the University system
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