Medieval Western Europe A Quest for Order
Periodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500
Western Europe. In the “Middle Ages The Medieval World—Conversion of Clovis links German barbarians with Christianity (496) Problem of Order after collapse of Rome Competing interests: single empire—reconstitution of Rome; Christendom under papacy; unforeseen third option—Dynastic States.
Europe in the 6c
Souces of the Medieval World Memory of the Old Roman Empire Memory of Greco-Roman Civilization Emergence of the Institutional Church Germanic Culture Beginnings of Europe: St. Remi baptizes Clovis
The Medieval Catholic Church filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical world. monasticism: St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience. provided schools for the children of the upper class. inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war. libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts. monks missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface]
The Power of the Medieval Church bishops and abbots played a large part in the feudal system. the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. tried to curb feudal warfare only 40 days a year for combat. curb heresies crusades; Inquisition tithe 1/10 tax on your assets given to the church. Peter’s Pence 1 penny per person [paid by the peasants].
A Medieval Monk’s Day
A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium
Illuminated Manuscripts
Papacy Under Church fathers, early heresy is overcome—nature of Jesus. Triumph of St. Augustine’s world view (354-430) Civitas Dei Leo I (440-61) and Gregory the Great (590-604) elevate position of papacy—new converts accept papal supremacy. Is Pope superior to Kings?
Papacy-2 Gelasian Theory Investiture Controvesy Innocent III (1198-1216) Gothic Architecture Scholasticism
Romanesque Architectural Style Rounded Arches. Barrel vaults. Thick walls. Darker, simplistic interiors. Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.
Gothic Architectural Style Replaced Romanesque Pointed arches. High, narrow vaults. Thinner walls. Flying buttresses. Elaborate, ornate, airier interiors. Stained-glass windows. “Flying” Buttresses
Cathedral At Chartres— Romanesque And Gothic
Cathedral at Rheims
So Why Doesn’t the Papacy Prevail Corruption Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy (1305-1377) Great Schism (1378-1415) Failure of Conciliar Movement (1422-1450) Success of Dynastic States
A Quest for a New Rome Collapse of the Merovingian Dynasty—Les Rois Fainéants Coming of the Carolingians—Charles Martel; Donation of Pepin Charlemagne—Crowned 800 as H. R. E. Treaty of Verdun--843
Charlemagne: 742 to 814
Charlemagne’s Empire
Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800
The Carolingian Renaissance
Carolingian Miniscule
Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses: Treaty of Verdun, 843
Fedualism-Manorialism: Response to Collapse of Carolingian Order Decentralized governmental systems—local nobles defacto rulers--feudalism Reciprocity Localized economies tied to self sufficient manors--manorialism
Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.
Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle
Parts of a Medieval Castle
The Medieval Manor
Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work
Feudal Socio/Political Order
Emergence of Dynastic States Success in Western Europe—forerunners of England, France, and Spain Interference of Papacy deterred evolution of more-or-less unitary states in the Italian Penensula and the Germanies until the 19th century.
Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy
Alfred the Great (871-899) King of Wessex who wielded power over all of Heptarchy Defeated Vikings (Danes) Issued a Code of Laws for all the realm Began the English Navy Commissioned the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (measure of stability)
The Rise of European Monarchies: England
William the Conqueror: Battle of Hastings, 1066 (Bayeaux Tapestry)
William I—King of England (1066-1087) Introduced Norman Feudalism into England—emphasized power of King (Salisbury Oath) Domesday Survey Great Council created out of Witan Curia Regis established Much central authority compared to earlier governmental arrangements in England
Evolution of England’s Political System Henry I: William’s son. set up a court system. Exchequer dept. of royal finances. Henry II: established the principle of common law throughout the kingdom. grand jury. trial by jury.
Magna Carta, 1215 Runnymeade “Great Charter” King John I Runnymeade “Great Charter” monarchs were not above the law. kings had to consult a council of advisors. kings could not tax arbitrarily.
The Beginnings of the British Parliament Both tool of nobles and tool of crown: 1295—Model Parliament under Edward III (1272-1307)—included all classes of representatives—Nobles, plus Burgesses (towns) and Knights of the Shire (Counties). by 1400, two chambers evolved: House of Lords nobles & clergy. House of Commons knights and burgesses.
Wars of the Roses Long View—1399-1485 Contingency—might not have been necessary if Henry V had lived a long time. Contingency—Richard III’s image and usurpation gave Tudors a chance to press the Lancastrian claim. Henry VII not only had to prevail at Bosworth Field, he and his descendants had to create mythologies and interests that supported a nascent nationalism. Dynastic State as alternative to feudal-based Civil War.
Long View: Wars of the Roses
The Rise of European Monarchies: France
Dynastic State in France Hugh Capet (r. 987-1328) held exclusive title to Ile de France. Louis VI (r. 1108-37) added to Capetian lands and crushed nobles who resisted. Philip II (r. 1180-1223) was first French King to be more powerful than any of his Vassals. Philip IV (r. 1285-1314) intimidated Pope Boniface VIII, leading College of Cardinals to name a Frenchman Pope. Louis IX (r. 1461-1483) used nationalism—hatred of English and defeated Duke of Burgundy—master of “real politik”
Waning of the Middle Ages Crusades Rise of Towns and Cities Trade End of Scholastic Consensus
Pope Urban II: Preaching a Crusade
Christian Crusades: East and West
Medieval Universities
Oxford University
Late Medieval Town Dwellings
Medieval Trade
Medieval Guilds Guild Hall Commercial Monopoly: Controlled membership apprentice journeyman master craftsman Controlled quality of the product [masterpiece]. Controlled prices
Medieval Guilds: A Goldsmith’s Shop
Crest of a Cooper’s Guild