1. A Century of Turmoil As the kingdoms of England and France began to develop, the Church and Mother Nature had other plans…

2. A Church Divided  Crusades were an epic fail. The Church is losing followers, along with all of its credibility  It’s 1300. Philip 4 sets the rule of kings above papal rule.  Pope Boniface 8 responds with a papal bull: “The subjection to the Roman Pontiff is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature.”

3. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels  1303. Philip invites Boniface over to France for, um… “discussion.’  Pope obliges, and quickly finds himself at home in Philip’s dungeon.  Pope executes an escape attempt, but dies before getting back to Rome, which means there’s a vacancy in the Vaticano Phillip also had a larger overbite.

4. Home Sweet Avignon  Philip forces the election of a French cardinal as Pope. In 1305, the papacy move moves its headquarters from Rome to Avignon, France.  This period in Church history is known as “The Captivity.”  This move eventually leads to the “Great Schism.”

5. The Great Schism  1378. French Pope Gregory 11 dies on a mission in Rome. How sad.  Italians riot and clamor for a new ITALIAN Pope and elect Urban 6. French say he’s an antipope and elect Clement 7. Confusion ensues. Note: not actual size

6. Who’s the Boss of you?  For the next 39 years, both sides spend most of their time excommunicating each other.  HRE calls the Council of Constance. They elect a THIRD Pope, Martin V.  Papacy is moved back to Rome for good. Everyone was happier with the Italian in charge.

7. Everybody’s a critic!  Scholars who criticized Church excesses were dealt with harshly.  John Huss and John Wycliffe argued that the Bible alone was the ultimate authority for Christian teaching – NOT the Pope. John Huss John Wycliffe Winner, “Sweetest Beard Contest”, 1405 2nd Runner-up, “Sweetest Beard Contest”, 1408

8. The Bubonic Plague: European World Tour, 1347  The Bubonic Plague begins in Asia and sweeps across Europe, to the tune of 25 million dead (that’s 1/3 of Europe at the time!)  Every few years, the plague resurfaces and further reduces population and disrupts society: trade declines, prices rise, towns become smaller.  Lack of workers breaks down the manorial system. Peasants demand wages or their freedom (usually via revolt)

9. Revenge of Mother Nature  Church further loses prestige, as it is unable to stop God’s “punishment” for mankind.  People tend to become more pessimistic about the future, and preoccupied with pleasure.  Art and literature shows a deep awareness of death. Welcome to Creepytown

10. The Hundred Years War.  The Hundred Years War pits France against England in a struggle for French Land.  When Charles IV, king of France died in 1328, he left no heir. Edward III, king of England (and nephew of Charles) is the closest male relative.  France claims Philip Valois (brother-in-law of Chuck’s dad) to be king. King Edward III Pretty fly for a white guy.

11. Let’s get ready to Rumblllllle!  Although the French eventually won the War, English forces had a number of key victories  Early on, castles offered adequate protection and armored knights dominated the battlefield.  Then the English longbow was used to p’wn the French and spelled the end of chivalrous warfare. 

12. The Maid of Orleans  By 1429, the French were in desperate shape. Most of their army was trapped in the city of Orleans, which the English were about to seige.  A teenage girl named Joan arrived on the scene.  Convinced by visions of angels that she could save the day, the French dauphin allowed her to lead the army (which was later victorious at Orleans!) Pictured above: Not Noah’s wife

13. BBQ Anyone?  Joan d’Arc lead the French in a number of decisive battles, and as a result Charles VII was crowned King. Woot!  Later she was captured by the English, placed on trial for heresy, and burned at the stake.

14. Long Term Effects of the War  Greater sense of nationalism in England and France  Longbow and cannon undermine the value of knights and castles  English Parliament gains the “power of the purse” and looks to overseas trading ventures  Church looks worse than it ever had, ushering in a time of secular rebirth.