Europe in The Middle Europe in The Middle AgesAges

800 CE – 1500 CE800 CE – 1500 CE

Section 1: Peasants, Trade & Section 1: Peasants, Trade & CitiesCities

The near The near doublingdoubling of Europe's population, combined with more peaceful of Europe's population, combined with more peaceful and settled conditions, contributed to major improvements to life in and settled conditions, contributed to major improvements to life in Europe. Reasons for the change included:Europe. Reasons for the change included:

the development of the development of labor-saving deviclabor-saving devices, es, improvements in farming that increased food production, and a revival of tradeimprovements in farming that increased food production, and a revival of trade . .

Trade, in turn, contributed to the development of a Trade, in turn, contributed to the development of a money economymoney economy, the , the resettlement of ancient citiesresettlement of ancient cities, and the , and the emergence of new citiesemergence of new cities. .

Many people still lived as peasants. They combined agricultural and craft Many people still lived as peasants. They combined agricultural and craft work to provide for their families, while turning over part of what they work to provide for their families, while turning over part of what they produced to the lord of the manor. produced to the lord of the manor.

The cities, meanwhile, were crowded, dirty places that nevertheless The cities, meanwhile, were crowded, dirty places that nevertheless provided new opportunities for men and women. In the cities, provided new opportunities for men and women. In the cities, guildsguilds regulated employment in many crafts and professions.regulated employment in many crafts and professions.

Manorialism: The Lord of the ManorManorialism: The Lord of the Manor

For For safetysafety and and defensedefense, people in , people in the Middle Ages the Middle Ages formed small formed small communities around communities around a central lord or a central lord or master. master.

Manorialism: The ManorManorialism: The Manor Most people lived Most people lived

on a on a manormanor, which , which consisted of the consisted of the castlecastle (or manor (or manor house), the house), the churchchurch, , the the villagevillage, and the , and the surrounding surrounding farm farm land. land.

Manorialism: Self-SufficiencyManorialism: Self-Sufficiency Each Each manormanor was largely self- was largely self-

sufficient, growing or producing sufficient, growing or producing all of the basic items needed for all of the basic items needed for food, clothing, and shelter. food, clothing, and shelter.

To meet these needs, the manor To meet these needs, the manor had buildings devoted to special had buildings devoted to special purposes, such as:purposes, such as: The The millmill for grinding grain for grinding grain The The bake house bake house for making breadfor making bread The The blacksmith shop blacksmith shop for creating for creating

metal goods. metal goods.

IsolationIsolation

These manors were These manors were isolated, with isolated, with occasional visits occasional visits from peddlers, from peddlers, pilgrims on their way pilgrims on their way to the Crusades, or to the Crusades, or soldiers from other soldiers from other fiefdoms. fiefdoms.

The Feudal SystemThe Feudal System

Under the feudal Under the feudal system, the king system, the king awarded land grants or awarded land grants or fiefs to his most fiefs to his most important important noblesnobles, , baronsbarons, and , and bishopsbishops, , in return for their in return for their contribution of contribution of soldierssoldiers for the king's armies. for the king's armies.

Nobles and VassalsNobles and Vassals NoblesNobles were the highest were the highest

ranked people on the ranked people on the manor. They divided manor. They divided their land among the their land among the lesser nobility, who lesser nobility, who became their became their vassalsvassals. . Many of these vassals Many of these vassals became so powerful that became so powerful that the kings had difficulty the kings had difficulty controlling them. controlling them.

The PeasantsThe Peasants

At the lowest level of At the lowest level of society were the society were the peasantspeasants, also called , also called serfsserfs or or villeinsvilleins. .

The lord offered his The lord offered his peasants protection in peasants protection in exchange for living and exchange for living and working on his land. working on his land.

Hard Work & High TaxesHard Work & High Taxes Peasants worked hard to Peasants worked hard to

cultivate the land and cultivate the land and produce the goods that produce the goods that the lord and his manor the lord and his manor needed. needed.

They were heavily taxed They were heavily taxed and were required to and were required to relinquish (give to the relinquish (give to the noble) much of what they noble) much of what they harvested. harvested.

In peasant families, the In peasant families, the wife did the cooking and wife did the cooking and baking. The peasant diet baking. The peasant diet consisted of breads, consisted of breads, vegetables from their own vegetables from their own gardens, dairy products gardens, dairy products from their own sheep, from their own sheep, goats, and cows, and pork goats, and cows, and pork

from their own livestockfrom their own livestock. .

Pantries were hung with birds and beasts, Pantries were hung with birds and beasts, including swans, blackbirds, ducks, pigeons, including swans, blackbirds, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, mutton, venison, and wild boar. Many rabbits, mutton, venison, and wild boar. Many of these animals were caught on hunts. of these animals were caught on hunts.

Women: Household ChoresWomen: Household Chores

Whether they were nobleWhether they were noble or or peasants, women held a difficult peasants, women held a difficult position in society.position in society.

They were largely confined to They were largely confined to household tasks such as cooking, household tasks such as cooking, baking bread, sewing, weaving, and baking bread, sewing, weaving, and spinning. spinning.

However, they also hunted However, they also hunted for food and fought in for food and fought in battles, learning to use battles, learning to use weapons to defend their weapons to defend their homes and castles. homes and castles.

MEDIEVAL LIFE

Cooperation and Mutual

Obligations

KING

LORDS (VASSALS TO KING)

KNIGHTS (VASSALS TO LORDS)

Fief and Peasants

Military Aid

Food Protection Shelter

Food Protection Shelter

PEASANTS (SERFS)Pay Rent

Fief and Peasants

Food Protection Shelter

Farm the Land

Homage Military Service

Loyalty

FEUDALISM: POLITICAL SYSTEM

Decentralized, local government

Dependent upon the relationship between members of the nobility

Lord and his vassals administered justice and were the highest authority in their land

MANORIALISM: ECONOMIC SYSTEM

Agriculture the basis for wealth Lands divided up into self-

sufficient manors Peasants (serfs) worked the land

and paid rent In exchange for protection

Barter the usual form of exchange

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta Under Manorialism, nobles often Under Manorialism, nobles often

became quite powerful and kings became quite powerful and kings would have difficulty controlling would have difficulty controlling them. As a result, the nobles would them. As a result, the nobles would question the decisions of the king and question the decisions of the king and challenge his power. challenge his power.

In 1215, the English barons formed In 1215, the English barons formed an alliance that forced King John to an alliance that forced King John to sign the sign the Magna CartaMagna Carta. It limited the . It limited the king's powers of taxation and king's powers of taxation and required trials by jury. required trials by jury.

The powerful nobles were able to The powerful nobles were able to force the King to be subject to the law force the King to be subject to the law for the first time in European history. for the first time in European history.

Section 2: Christianity and Section 2: Christianity and Medieval Civilization Medieval Civilization

A sign of the Church's growing role in European affairs was the A sign of the Church's growing role in European affairs was the Concordat of WormsConcordat of Worms. .

By barring monarchs from investing (nominating or creating) bishops, this document By barring monarchs from investing (nominating or creating) bishops, this document marked a victory for Pope Gregory VII in his bid to reform the Church and assert papal marked a victory for Pope Gregory VII in his bid to reform the Church and assert papal power. power.

The importance of the sacraments for ordinary Christians gave the Church The importance of the sacraments for ordinary Christians gave the Church a central role in people's lives. a central role in people's lives.

The veneration of saints was also popular and spurred interest in a long list The veneration of saints was also popular and spurred interest in a long list of saints who Christians believed could intercede in heaven on their behalf.of saints who Christians believed could intercede in heaven on their behalf.

Religious fervor prompted new Religious fervor prompted new monasticmonastic orders to spring up for men and orders to spring up for men and women. The new orders developed an women. The new orders developed an activisticactivistic spiritual model. spiritual model.

Finally, the Inquisition gave the Church a tool for discouraging Finally, the Inquisition gave the Church a tool for discouraging heresyheresy. . Those who failed to do proper penance for heresy could face execution. Those who failed to do proper penance for heresy could face execution.

The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church was the only church in The Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it had its own Europe during the Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large income. laws and large income.

Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's council and played leading roles sat on the king's council and played leading roles in government. in government.

The The PAPACYPAPACY is the office of the Pope, the head is the office of the Pope, the head of the Catholic church. During the middle ages, of the Catholic church. During the middle ages, the pope became more powerful than the kings of the pope became more powerful than the kings of their day. Corruption was rampant with this their day. Corruption was rampant with this power. Offices of the church were sold to the power. Offices of the church were sold to the highest bidder and a token was given to show this highest bidder and a token was given to show this power, known as power, known as lay investiturelay investiture. Pope Gregory . Pope Gregory VII tried to end thisVII tried to end this

BishopsBishops Bishops, who were often Bishops, who were often

wealthy and came from wealthy and came from noble families, ruled noble families, ruled over groups of parishes over groups of parishes called called diocesesdioceses..

Many times, they were Many times, they were part of the feudal system part of the feudal system and in exchange for a and in exchange for a fief and peasants had to fief and peasants had to provide homage and provide homage and military aid to a liege military aid to a liege lord.lord.

Parish PriestsParish Priests Parish priests, on the other Parish priests, on the other

hand, came from humbler hand, came from humbler backgrounds and often had backgrounds and often had little education.little education.

The village priest tended The village priest tended to the sick and indigent to the sick and indigent and, if he was able, taught and, if he was able, taught Latin and the Bible to the Latin and the Bible to the youth of the villageyouth of the village

Monasteries, Monks & NunsMonasteries, Monks & Nuns Monasteries in the Middle Ages were Monasteries in the Middle Ages were

based on the rules set down by based on the rules set down by St. St. BenedictBenedict in the sixth century. The monks in the sixth century. The monks became known as became known as BenedictinesBenedictines and took and took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to their leaders. to their leaders.

Monks were required to perform manual Monks were required to perform manual labor and were forbidden to own labor and were forbidden to own property, leave the monastery, or property, leave the monastery, or become entangled in the concerns of become entangled in the concerns of society. society.

Daily tasks were often carried out in Daily tasks were often carried out in silence. silence.

Monks and their female counterparts, Monks and their female counterparts, nunsnuns, who lived in , who lived in conventsconvents, provided for the less-fortunate members of the , provided for the less-fortunate members of the community. Monasteries and nunneries were safe havens community. Monasteries and nunneries were safe havens for pilgrims and other travelers. for pilgrims and other travelers.

Section 3: The Culture of the Section 3: The Culture of the High Middle AgesHigh Middle Ages

The first universities were established in twelfth-century Italy, France, and England The first universities were established in twelfth-century Italy, France, and England as educational guilds. as educational guilds.

Most students received a liberal arts education. Most students received a liberal arts education. TheologyTheology was the most prestigious subject and was heavily influenced by was the most prestigious subject and was heavily influenced by scholasticismscholasticism. .

Scholasticism sought to reconcile faith and reason and to harmonize Christian Scholasticism sought to reconcile faith and reason and to harmonize Christian teachings with recently rediscovered works of Greek philosophers. teachings with recently rediscovered works of Greek philosophers.

The best-known practitioner of scholasticism was The best-known practitioner of scholasticism was Saint Thomas AquinasSaint Thomas Aquinas. .

Although Although LatinLatin was the universal language of medieval civilization, new literature was the universal language of medieval civilization, new literature—mainly poetry—was appearing in regional languages, such as French, English, —mainly poetry—was appearing in regional languages, such as French, English, and Spanish; this is called and Spanish; this is called vernacularvernacular literature because it is written in the literature because it is written in the everyday language of the people. everyday language of the people.

An eleventh- and twelfth-century building boom produced many new churches. An eleventh- and twelfth-century building boom produced many new churches. Innovations in architecture made it possible to build soaring Innovations in architecture made it possible to build soaring Gothic cathedralsGothic cathedrals, , one of the artistic triumphs of the High Middle Ages. one of the artistic triumphs of the High Middle Ages.

ArchitectureArchitecture Early Christian: Early Christian: Flat roofs, and long Flat roofs, and long

rectangular shapes used in Roman rectangular shapes used in Roman basilicas.basilicas.

Romanesque: Romanesque: Replaced flat wooden Replaced flat wooden roofs with rounded barrel vault ceilings.roofs with rounded barrel vault ceilings.

Gothic: Gothic: The use of flying buttresses The use of flying buttresses allowed architects to create a feeling of allowed architects to create a feeling of upward movement in the Gothic upward movement in the Gothic cathedrals.cathedrals.

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

Chaucer's Chaucer's Canterbury Canterbury TalesTales is a series of stories is a series of stories told by 30 pilgrims as told by 30 pilgrims as they traveled to they traveled to Canterbury. It is an early Canterbury. It is an early example of example of vernacularvernacular literature (literature literature (literature written in the common written in the common language of the day). language of the day).

Peasants Home ArchitecturePeasants Home Architecture Many peasant families ate, Many peasant families ate,

slept, and spent time together slept, and spent time together in very small quarters, rarely in very small quarters, rarely more than one or two rooms. more than one or two rooms. The houses had thatched The houses had thatched roofs and were easily roofs and were easily destroyed.destroyed.

Most medieval homes were cold, damp, Most medieval homes were cold, damp, and dark. Sometimes it was warmer and and dark. Sometimes it was warmer and lighter outside the home than within its lighter outside the home than within its walls.walls.

Woolen & Linen ClothingWoolen & Linen Clothing Most people in the Middles Ages wore woolen clothing, with Most people in the Middles Ages wore woolen clothing, with

undergarments made of linen. Brighter colors, better materials, and a undergarments made of linen. Brighter colors, better materials, and a longer jacket length were usually signs of greater wealth. longer jacket length were usually signs of greater wealth.

The clothing of the aristocracy and wealthy merchants tended to be The clothing of the aristocracy and wealthy merchants tended to be elaborate and changed according to the dictates of fashion. Towards elaborate and changed according to the dictates of fashion. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, men of the wealthy classes sported hose the end of the Middle Ages, men of the wealthy classes sported hose and a jacket, often with pleating or skirting, or a tunic with a surcoat. and a jacket, often with pleating or skirting, or a tunic with a surcoat.

Women wore flowing gowns and elaborate headwear, Women wore flowing gowns and elaborate headwear, ranging from headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies ranging from headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies to tall steeple caps and Italian turbans. to tall steeple caps and Italian turbans.

Section 4: The Late Middle AgesSection 4: The Late Middle Ages Europe's fortunes sank as Europe's fortunes sank as bubonic plague bubonic plague carried by infested rats carried by infested rats

decimated Europe's population. decimated Europe's population. In a wave of anti-Semitism, many people attacked Jews, accusing them of causing the In a wave of anti-Semitism, many people attacked Jews, accusing them of causing the

plague by poisoning the wells. plague by poisoning the wells. The plague devastated Europe's economy as well and accelerated the end of serfdom.The plague devastated Europe's economy as well and accelerated the end of serfdom.

Church power declined as European kings rejected papal claims of Church power declined as European kings rejected papal claims of supremacy. supremacy.

Popular respect for the papacy was undermined by the Popular respect for the papacy was undermined by the Great SchismGreat Schism, a , a nearly forty-year papal crisis during which a rival papacy was set up in nearly forty-year papal crisis during which a rival papacy was set up in France. France.

The The Hundred Years' War Hundred Years' War introduced new methods of warfare, adding to introduced new methods of warfare, adding to the problems of the late Middle Ages. the problems of the late Middle Ages.

The "new monarchies" of the fifteenth century reestablished the centralized The "new monarchies" of the fifteenth century reestablished the centralized power of the monarchies in England, France, and Spain. power of the monarchies in England, France, and Spain.

Medicine was often a risky business. Bloodletting was Medicine was often a risky business. Bloodletting was a popular method of restoring a patient's health and a popular method of restoring a patient's health and "humors." Early surgery, often done by barbers "humors." Early surgery, often done by barbers without anesthesia, must have been excruciating. without anesthesia, must have been excruciating.

Medical treatment was available mainly to the wealthy, Medical treatment was available mainly to the wealthy, and those living in villages rarely had the help of and those living in villages rarely had the help of doctors, who practiced mostly in the cities and courts. doctors, who practiced mostly in the cities and courts. Remedies were often herbal in nature, but also Remedies were often herbal in nature, but also included ground earthworms, urine, and animal included ground earthworms, urine, and animal excrement. excrement.

Many medieval medical manuscripts contained recipes Many medieval medical manuscripts contained recipes for remedies that called for hundreds of therapeutic for remedies that called for hundreds of therapeutic substances--the notion that every substance in nature substances--the notion that every substance in nature held some sort of power accounts for the enormous held some sort of power accounts for the enormous variety of substances. variety of substances.

BLACK DEATH…The PLAGUE…Bubonic PlagueBLACK DEATH…The PLAGUE…Bubonic Plague

People did not know what caused the plague People did not know what caused the plague and blamed others, like the Jews. People were and blamed others, like the Jews. People were afraid to gather together or travel. This hurt the afraid to gather together or travel. This hurt the economy. economy.

Hundred Years’ warHundred Years’ war

The plague contributed to an economic crisis in Europe. It also contributed to political instability (along with the end of feudalism). The Hundred Years’ War began when King Philip VI of France seized Gascony, which had been held by the English. The duke of Gascony – King Edward III of England – declared war against the French. The war over English territory in France lasted until 1453.

The Hundred Years’ War changed warfare forever; it was peasant foot soldiers who helped win the war, not the Knights who had been fighting in the Crusades.

Hundred Years’ WarHundred Years’ War

There were several major battles in the war:There were several major battles in the war: 1346: Crecy; the English won because their 1346: Crecy; the English won because their

archers were able to damage the French lines, archers were able to damage the French lines, which were in disarraywhich were in disarray

1415: Agincourt; the French lost when their heavy 1415: Agincourt; the French lost when their heavy armor-plated soldiers and horses were bogged armor-plated soldiers and horses were bogged down by heavy muddown by heavy mud

1450s – Normandy & Agincourt: The French, 1450s – Normandy & Agincourt: The French, using a new weapon, the using a new weapon, the cannoncannon, defeated the , defeated the English (thanks to the invention of English (thanks to the invention of gunpowdergunpowder!)!)

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc Joan of Arc – Joan of Arc – born in 1412, she was the born in 1412, she was the

daughter of peasants; deeply religious, she daughter of peasants; deeply religious, she came to believe that she was commanded came to believe that she was commanded by god to free Franceby god to free France

She persuaded the king to accompany the She persuaded the king to accompany the army to Orleans; inspired by her faith, they army to Orleans; inspired by her faith, they recaptured Orleans recaptured Orleans

She was captured by the English and She was captured by the English and turned over to the Inquisition on charges of turned over to the Inquisition on charges of witchcraft; she was burned at the stakewitchcraft; she was burned at the stake

The war dragged on for another two years, The war dragged on for another two years, but her death inspired the French, who but her death inspired the French, who defeated the English in Normandy and defeated the English in Normandy and Aquitaine, resulting in a French victory in Aquitaine, resulting in a French victory in 14531453

Political Recovery: FrancePolitical Recovery: France By the 15By the 15thth century, Europe was beginning to recover century, Europe was beginning to recover

from hundreds of years of violence and disease. After the from hundreds of years of violence and disease. After the Crusades, plague, and other wars, “Crusades, plague, and other wars, “new monarchiesnew monarchies” ” began to reassert control over the European statesbegan to reassert control over the European states

After the Hundred Years’ War, France was exhausted, After the Hundred Years’ War, France was exhausted, but united as a nationbut united as a nation King Louis XI took advantage of this spirit to establish his King Louis XI took advantage of this spirit to establish his

powerpower He used the He used the tailletaille – an annual tax on land or property, as a – an annual tax on land or property, as a

regular source of income, which helped create the foundations regular source of income, which helped create the foundations of a strong monarchyof a strong monarchy

Political Recovery: EnglandPolitical Recovery: England

The cost of the Hundred Years’ War strained the The cost of the Hundred Years’ War strained the English economyEnglish economy The English were also vulnerable to an internal conflict – The English were also vulnerable to an internal conflict –

The War of the RosesThe War of the Roses – which was a fight over the – which was a fight over the monarchymonarchy

In 1485, the Tudors won control of the monarchy and established a In 1485, the Tudors won control of the monarchy and established a new dynastynew dynasty

Henry Tudor created a strong royal government, ended Henry Tudor created a strong royal government, ended wars between the nobles by outlawing private armies, and wars between the nobles by outlawing private armies, and helped refill the treasury through his saving measures and helped refill the treasury through his saving measures and tax revenuestax revenues

Political Recovery: SpainPolitical Recovery: Spain

Spain also experienced the growth of a strong Spain also experienced the growth of a strong monarchmonarch

Throughout the middle ages, Spain fought to remove Throughout the middle ages, Spain fought to remove the Muslims from their landsthe Muslims from their lands Two kingdoms rose out of the wars to remove the Two kingdoms rose out of the wars to remove the

Muslims: Aragon and CastileMuslims: Aragon and Castile Spain was united when Spain was united when IsabellaIsabella of Castile married of Castile married

FerdinandFerdinand of Aragon of Aragon They were strict Catholics and helped the Catholic Church run the They were strict Catholics and helped the Catholic Church run the

Inquisition, trying to root out heretics in SpainInquisition, trying to root out heretics in Spain

Central & Eastern EuropeCentral & Eastern Europe

The Holy Roman Empire was unable to find a strong monarch; The Holy Roman Empire was unable to find a strong monarch; by the 15by the 15thth century, Germany was divided into many century, Germany was divided into many independent statesindependent states

After 1438, the Holy Roman Emperor came from the After 1438, the Holy Roman Emperor came from the Hapsburg dynasty, who ruled the Austrian lands along the Hapsburg dynasty, who ruled the Austrian lands along the DanubeDanube

Religious differences caused problems in Eastern Europe, as Religious differences caused problems in Eastern Europe, as the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches fought for the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches fought for influence in places like Poland and Hungaryinfluence in places like Poland and Hungary

Finally, Russia was able to throw off the Mongols and a new Finally, Russia was able to throw off the Mongols and a new Russian state was born, rules by the great prince Ivan IIIRussian state was born, rules by the great prince Ivan III