A New Civilization Emerges in Western Europe

Postclassical/ Middle Ages Period of great faith-Islam and Christianity Christian missionaries spread message north. Europe grows in participation of trade Europeans learned of technologies and

scholarship from these contacts (Africans, Asians, Muslims, Byzantines

“Their bodies are large, their manners harsh, their understanding dull their tongues heavy. Those who are farthest to the north are the most subject to stupidity, grossness, and brutishness” Muslim writer- crusades

Problems Rome was the center of the Church and the

Church was the most powerful institution in West Italy was divided: Papal states, Milan, Florence,

Venetian Republic, and Kingdom of Naples Poor education due to focus on farming and

weak regional rulers Spain in the hands of Muslims. Spain was a

vibrant and important intellectual and economic area lost to western Europe

Frequent invasions created instability

Section 1:Charlemagne Middle Ages or Medieval

period 500-1300: after fall of Rome, Europe remained fragmented

Disruption in trade, downfall of cities, and population shifts

Germanic invaders who stormed Rome were not well educated and the level of learning sank

No written language As Germans began to mix

with the Romans language changed

Dialects popped up and various languages appeared like French and Spanish

Germanic kingdoms rose in place of the Roman Empire

Church was the institution that was able to withstand the break up of Rome and governed society

Concept of government changed-loyal to family and community. Warriors loyal to leaders they respected

Charlemagne In Gaul the Franks emerged

under their leader, Clovis Clovis adopted Christianity

due to God helping him in battle in 496 CE and to gain prestige over pagan rivals

By 600 the Church and Frankish rulers helped to convert many Germanic peoples

Church created religious communities, monasteries, for rural areas

Monks gave up all worldly possessions and became servants of God

Under Pope Gregory I (590) the papacy expanded its powers over secular or worldly matters, including politics

He used the Church’s money to raise armies, repair roads, and help the poor

All western and central Europe fell under the Pope’s control and authority

Charlemagne Europe fell into small

kingdoms after the fall of the Roman Empire

The strongest was in the area of Gaul under the leadership of Clovis (Franks)

Clovis expanded his territory to encompass all of modern France and strengthened his family line (Merovingian)

700 Mayor of the Palace-ruler of the kingdom

Charles Martel (Hammer) was Mayor and held more power than the king.

He expanded the empire and defeated the Muslims at the Battles of Tours in 732 –this kept Europe Christian!

Muslims had been invaded via Spain

Next ruler, Charles’ son, Pepin the Short. In order to become strong, Pepin aligned himself with the Pope. He fought against the Lombards and the Pope was happy-”kings by the grace of God” became the Carolingian Dynasty

CLOVISCHARLES MARTEL

CHARLEMANGE

Charlemagne Pepin died and left the Frankish

empire to his sons (Carloman and Charles). Charles inherited the throne after Carloman died. He became Charlemagne

Charlemagne was 6’4” 800 He built an empire greater

than anything since Rome: France, Spain, and Germany

Pope Leo III granted Charlemagne the title of Roman emperor for fighting off unruly nobles in Rome

This united Germanic kings and the Church

He limited the authority of the nobles, strengthened his powers, and traveled throughout his empire

He encouraged learning and opened a palace school for his many children

814 his son, Louis the Pious became emperor-he was an ineffective ruler and concerned more with religion

Pious’ 3 sons fought each other for the empire. It was split into 3 kingdoms after the civil war in the Treaty of Verdun in 843

762 Otto I king of Germany helped the pope against Roman nobles like Charlemagne and the pope gave him the title “holy” and he added it to Roman Emperor from and hence rulers of ancient Germany became Holy Roman Emperors and the territory was known as the Holy Roman Empire

Emergence of regional monarchies

Section 2: Feudalism The destabilization that the

civil war caused brought Europe into new political turmoil and led to the development of feudalism

Feudalism is a political system based on land ownership and personal loyalty

At this weakened state Europe was then attacked by invaders: Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims

Vikings(Norsemen) sailed from Scandinavia to Europe down waterways to raid villages and towns

They carried out these raids with terrifying speed and by the time local troop arrived the Vikings were long gone

Viking warships allowed for these raids…could hold as many as 300 warriors

They looted villages and monasteries, were traders, and explorers

Section 2: Feudalism

Vikings were also known to go as far as Russia on raids

They are also credited with reaching the Americas

Vikings gradually began to accept Christianity and as this happened the raids decreased

Climate warming combined with this to allow for increased farming in Scandinavia

Following the Viking decline a new group from the east began assaulting Europe…the Magyars

Magyars did not settle conquered lands instead sold the conquered people into slavery

At the same time Muslims attacked from the south

These invasions caused disruption of trade, political disorder, and suffering

Section 2: Feudalism These attacks led to the

development of a new political system called feudalism-power was based on land ownership and loyalty

King

Church/ clergy

nobles

knights

Peasants/ serfs

Lord

Land (fief)

vassal

gives

Loyalty and military service

New economic and urban vigor New agricultural techniques: 3 field crop rotation, no

chock horse collars, and the moldboard plow (deeper soil)

Elite defined by landownership and military powers Viking raid declined as they become Christian and

regional governments became more powerful Population growth occurred! Created new markets.

Towns grew while serfdom continued. Specialization occurred and scholarship began again. Literacy increased.

11th century universities: medicine and law

Feudal Monarchies -expand powers After the breakup of Charlemagne's empire kings of

France and England sought to increase their powers Dukes and counts ruled their lands independently under

feudalism. By 1000 France was divided into 30 feudal territories. In 987 the last member of the Carolingian family (Louis the Sluggard) died!

987 Hugh Capet (count of Paris) succeeded him. He was voted to become king. The Capet family ruled a small territory around Paris. Capetian monarchy started out around Paris and grew by better administration and diplomacy (marriage).

The Capetian dynasty lasted from 987-1328

Capetian Dynasty of France Hugh Capet and his successors took advantage of

Paris and the powerful trade routes that ran through their territory. They grew out from Paris and eventually united France!

He consolidated his power by 1) making the throne hereditary (2) adding lands by playing rivals nobles against each other (3) supporting the Church (4) creating a bureaucracy that collected taxes and imposed royal law (5) created alliance by marriages with strong lords

Hugh Capet Philip II of France

King Philip II of France Philip II (Philip Augustus) of France- 1180-1223- He

was successful in seizing Normandy from England (King John) in 1204. By the end of Philip’s reign he had tripled the lands under his direct control. For the first time a French king had become more powerful than his vassals!

Philip II also created a more powerful government. He created royal officials (bailiffs) and sent them to each district to preside over collecting taxes and courts.

Philip consolidated his power by 1) paying middle class to be government officials and thus they were very loyal to him and appreciative of their new offices (2) granting charters to towns –ensuring townspeoples rights and income for himself (3) making a national tax (4) quadrupling the size of France via his war with King John and by helping the Pope fight heretics (Albigensians) in what would become southern France.

French Kings continued

King Louis IX 1226 Pious man that led 2

Crusades. Made a saint by the Church

Had roving officials to check on local administrators

Banned private wars Expanded the royal

court system Heard cases himself!

Philip IV 1300s –grandson of Louis IX

Tried to collect taxes from clergy…led to fight with Pope Boniface III. Philip IV tried to capture the pope, but he escape only soon thereafter to die.

Philip set up the Estates General to rally support from the people for his fight with the Pope. 3 Estates ( clergy, nobles, and townspeople)

In 1305 a Frenchmen was named pope and he moved the court to Avignon, France (Babylonian Captivity). There the popes were under the influence of the French Kings!

King Louis IX

England Patchwork of feudal states controlled by local lords Many invaders…came up with new prayer “God

deliver us from the fury of the Northmen” (Vikings). Only happened after Alfred the Great (871-899) managed to turn back the Viking attacks. Gradually he and his successors united the kingdom under one ruler, calling it England or land of the Angles (Germanic tribe)

1016 Danish king, Canute, conquered England. In 1042 King Edward the Confessor took the throne and died without a heir.

Battle of Hastings William the Conqueror of Normandy (n. France) was a

cousin of Edward. He invaded England with his Norman army in 1066.

He had to fight against the Anglo-Saxon rival, Harold Godwinson. He was the brother in-law of Edward and elected king by an English council.

Battle of Hastings, 10-14-1066. After Harold was killed with an arrow to the eye the Normans won! William declared England his personal property. English lords who supported Harold lost their lands. William granted fiefs 200 Norman lords (barons) who swore personal loyalty to him.

William the Conqueror Harold

William the Conqueror Consolidated his power by (1) granting fiefs

to loyal nobles. He made these vassals directly loyal to him and no other lord (2) had sheriffs roam England and administer justice to the people (3) took a census and wrote it down in the Domesday Book (called this because like Final Judgment no one, or farm, or even pigpen could escape being counted by the royal officials!

England William the conquerors successors owned lands of England

and Normandy. Many considered the French Kings to be vassals to England.

Henry II added to these lands by marrying Eleanor of Aquitaine who brought lands from France

English kings wanted to hold onto their French lands and strengthen their powers

Eleanor of Aquitaine was the wife of two kings and the mother of two kings! WOW! She was married to Louis VII of France (2nd Crusade) Their marriage was annulled. She then married Henry II of England. She had four sons with him including King Richard the Lionhearted and King John.

Thus Henry II was the king of England and vassal to the king of France!

Henry II strengthened the royal courts by sending out royal judges, collected taxes, punished crimes, creating common laws, settled lawsuits, and he introduced the jury. Over centuries these judges formed a unified body of law that became known as common law. These principles formed the basis for English speaking law codes across the world.

Henry had a bitter dispute with his friend the archbishop Thomas Becket over the issue of being able to try clergy in royal courts. One day in anger he screamed “who will rid me of this meddlesome priest”. As a result in 1170 Becket was murdered in his own cathedral!

King Henry II of England

Henry II

King John II of England Henry II succeeded by King Richard the

Lionhearted, hero of the 3rd Crusade. After he died his brother, king John (softsword) came to the throne (1199-1216). Problems: (1) lost war and land to French King Philip II (2) dispute with the pope of the nominee of archbishop led to the pope excommunicating him and passing an interdict on all of England (this meant no one could receive the sacraments)…forced to submit to the pope and England had to pay money every year to Rome (3) because of increasing taxes the nobles began to riot and King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta in June 15, 1215. It became the most celebrated document in English history, the Magna Carta (or great charter) guaranteed basic political rights for nobles and state the king was not above the law!

King John

Magna Carta/ Parliament June 15, 1215 Nobles wanted to safeguard their own feudal rights and

limit the king’s power. In later years the people argued that the Magna Carta covered all classes and applied to each citizen

Guaranteed that nobles had certain rights, forced the monarch to obey the laws, monarchy agreed not to raise new taxes without first consulting the Great Council, protecting people from arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, and other legal actions…led to due process of the law, set the basis for habeas corpus the principle that no person can be held in prison without first being charged for a crime [Habeas Corpus later clarified and defined in the Petition of Right in 1628 and the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679]

included no taxation without representation, a jury trial, and the protection of the law.

Development of Parliament The Great Council evolved in the 1200s into

Parliament which later became England’s legislature. 1295 Edward I need to raise taxes for a war against

the French. He summoned to burgesses (2 nobles) from each borough. In November of 1295 they met in London, in what is now called Model Parliament b/c of its makeup (commoners, non-nobles, as well as lords). He had a representatives of the common people join with the lords and clergy. He stated that “what touches all should be approved by all” Over the next century 1300-1400s the king called knights and burgesses whenever a new taxes was needed. In Parliament, these 2 groups gradually formed an assembly of their own called the House of Commons. Lords and bishops met in the House of Lords. At first he house of lords was the only house in Parliament.

France and England Hugh Capet-established

Capetian dynasty 987-1328

Philip II 1180-1223: increases the territory of France

Louis IV (1226-1270) created royal courts that could overturn local courts. Strengthen France’s central government

Philip IV (1285-1314) adds Third Estate to Estates General

William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, invades England 1066

Henry II (1154-1189) introduces use of the jury in English courts

King John agrees to the Magna Carta under pressures from nobles in 1215

Edward I call Model Parliament in 1295

100 Years War1337-1453

1328 Charles IV of France died childless

Charles had a sister: Queen Isabella of England

Struggle over French dynastic succession

Causes of the war:

English king’s status as vassal of the French king for his territories in Gascony

English support for urban rebellions in Flanders against the king of France

English king’s claim to the throne of France after the end of the Capetian dynasty in 1314 (death of Charles IV)

Charles IV

Black Death The disease was carried

by fleas on infected rats, who would bite humans. Once bitten the person would develop a high fever, begin coughing, and develop painful swelling in lymph nodes of the groin or armpits. Final stage was vomiting blood

Spread bubonic and pneumonic (person to person)

Death took 3-5 days to kill most. Although, airborne virus could only take hours to kill

killed ½ to 1/3 of Europe’s population

caused major economic depression (increased taxation, revolts, loss of financial backing in some cities, and increased gap between the rich and poor

"Der Doktor Schnabel von Rom" (English: "Doctor Beak of Rome") engraving by Paul Fürst. The beak is a primitive gas mask, stuffed with substances (such as spices and herbs) thought to ward off the plague.

Plague has a long history as a biological weapon. Historical accounts from medieval Europe detail the use of infected animal carcasses, such as cows or horses, and human carcasses, by Mongols, Turks and other groups, to contaminate enemy water supplies. Plague victims were also reported to have been tossed by catapult into cities under siege.

-wikipedia-

Western Culture in the Postclassical Era Combining rational philosophy and religion. Bernard of Clairvaux- mystical

union with God. Bernard believed that reason was dangerous and God’s truth must be received through faith alone.

By 12th century Western scholars started to read translated Greek and Byzantine information as well as Arab and Jewish works from the Middle East.

Thomas Aquinas, Italian born monk, taught at University of Paris. Through reason alone, humans could know much of the natural order, moral law, and the nature of God. Scholasticism-dominant medieval philosophical approach; so-called b/c of its base in the schools or universities; based on use of logic to resolve theological problems

Emphasis in organizing past work and mastering it. Mix of piety with religious obligations (not always remembered). Mixed with

veneration of Mary and worship of saints. Mixed still yet with popular pagan festivals that involved dancing and merriment.

Art and architecture to glorify god, very religious subjects. Western Europe Gothic architecture became popular (soaring churches). Church-tax collection, towers-soaring towards heaven-piety

Literature/ music-religion: Latin and growing vernacular, Beowulf from England and the song of Roland from France. Canterbury Tales-mixed of stories of comic tales and poetry. Poked fun at hypocrisy of Christians and showed a fascination with bawdy behavior. Love hymns produced. Medieval intellectual and artistic life created a host of important themes centered around religion, but not precluding other areas like science and romantic poetry.

Rural Life/ Trade Peasant lives had improved during this time period. Still manorialism existed

some peasants were almost free farmers while others were constrained. Urban growth led to more specialized manufacturing and commercial activities.

Banking grew as long distance trade grew. Italy, Germany, Low countries, France, and Britain key area. (Greed not a Christian idea). Use of money spread.

Trade within Europe and the greater world Spices from Asia Timber and grain from the north for cloth and metal products from Italy and Low

Countries England-wool industry Hanseatic League-cites in n. Germany and Scandinavia grouped together to

encourage trade Supported new business ventures at great risk (pirates, lost a sea) with fortune

to be gained or lost Formation of Joint stock companies where merchants came together to invest in

an activity

Trade Merchants had a freer hand than in many other places b/c

the western monarchs were weaker. They also liked the merchants as a balance to powerful landed aristocracy. Additionally, the merchants created and ruled cities wherein laws and courts were created to regulate commercial laws. They were unusually independent and powerful. They also gave lots of taxes and loans to kings.

Guilds heavily relied upon-they grouped people in the same business or trade in a single city, sometimes with loose links to similar guilds in other cities. Stressed security and mutual control/ benefit. Not about making profits so they discouraged new methods. Guarantee quality and pay. Played important role in city govern.

Development of the cottage industry As society became increasingly urban and

complex women’s roles decline A Patriarchal structure began taking root

where women were seen as the assistants/ comforters of men and they should be docile.

Religion- Eve as the source of human sin…women were given a hard time due to this. However, during the Middle Ages veneration for Mary occurred balancing this out more! Women were less confined than in Islamic culture, but were not assured of property rights

Decline of Medieval SynthesisHundred Years War: war between

France and England over control of lands. France won, but no one really one. Exhausted both countries and accidentally helped France b/c the state took over lands without heirs (they died in the war). In England it led to a civil war. War of the Roses!

War of the Roses The English Civil War 1455-1485 The civil war in England English kings granted more

power to aristocracy for financial support during 100 Yrs. War. War created powerful and autonomous aristocratic families with their own armies. Under weak kings the families fought for power for 30 years

Rival branches of the royal family fought of the English crown

York-badge was the white rose and Lancaster-badge was the red rose. (Roses focus later added on to make the war seem more romantic)

War came to an end when Henry Tudor of the Lancaster house defeated King Richard III. Henry Tudor then became Henry VII of England and ruled 1489-1509. He married Elizabeth of York. This started the Tudor dynasty of England that ended with Elizabeth I nicknamed the virgin queen.

Strain Agricultural problems…limited lands and methods

that led to famine. Plagues-black plague Social conflict between nobles and peasants Church weakened by Babylonian captivity and the

great schism. People began preaching against the Church structure and some women claimed a direct emotional relationship with God. (heretics!)

Some intellectual and artistic were declared heretical by the Church

serfs

Section 3: Chivalry During Middle Ages,

nobles fought one another, keeping Europe fragmented for centuries

Through warfare feudal lords defended their estates, seized new territories, and increased their wealth

Role of the warrior was very prized in this society

Knights had a code of chivalry: a complex set of ideals, demanded that a knight fight bravely in defense of three masters: feudal lord, the Lord, and his chosen lady

Knights fought bravely in tournaments to show their training and hopefully pick up lands

Siege Weapons To look at siege

weapons click on the following link:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/race.html

Click below to play destroy the medieval castle!!!

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/destroywave.html

Troubadours would travel around Europe and play for money-what people did for fun!

Women had increasing power because they could inherit land from their husbands and rule in his place while he was gone during the Crusades

Section 4: The Church Amid weak governments

and feudal states stood the Church-the most powerful institution

During this time the powers of the Church were growing

Accordingly the emperor or kings should submit to the powers of the pope/ Church

Many clashes over powers between the state and Church emerged

Structure of the Church similar to that of society during this time

PopeBishops

priests

Section 4: The Church During the state of constant

warfare the Church provided stability and leadership for medieval society

Religious officials provided the sacraments or important religious ceremonies that paved the way for salvation

Religion became the social center

The Church also had laws-canon law-in areas such as marriage and religion

Popes got people, including kings, to obey them by the use of excommunication!

Following the death of Charlemagne the Holy Roman Empire (Germany) emerged as the kingdom strongest from his line

The H.R.E. and the pope developed a special relationship-Otto I and People Leo III

Section 4: Church became fearful of kings

powers over lay investiture -a ceremony in which kings and nobles appointed (invested) church officials-they yielded real power over the Church

1073 Pope Gregory VII made reforms-limited secular influences – lay investiture, no marriage for priests, banned simony

Gregory vs. Henry IV of H.R.E.- Pope excommunicated Henry IV and headed north to crown a new emperor so Henry asked for forgiveness

Resulted was the Concordat of Worms in 1122: the Church alone could choose a bishop yet the emperor had the veto power to prevent the appointment of a bishop

1152 German princes elected Frederick I “Barbarossa” emperor

He launched attacks on rich lands-resources Angered Italian merchants. Formed an

alliance against Frederick I (Lombard League)

1176 meet at the Battle of Legnano-lost to Lombard League and forces of the Pope (Alexander III)

Result-weakened German state due to picking emperors and continued clashes with the Church

Pope Gregory VII

The Roman Catholic Church There was only one

church in the Middle Ages in Western Europe (Roman Catholic), which held power both over kings and countries. In the late Middle Ages the church began to lose its powers:

Babylonian Captivity (Jewish) and Great Schism (1054) are also earlier events

Babylonian Captivity: 1304-1374 popes lived in Avignon in southeastern France (away from Rome). French kings influenced the pope and the church. Ended with the death of pope Gregory XI in 1377

Great Schism: various popes at same time 1377-1415 –succession crisis! Ended with the election of pope Martin V

Conciliar Movement: reform the church by assemblies (constitutional)

John Wycliffe precursor of the Reformation-scriptures alone should be the standard for Christian belief

Wycliffe attacked the doctrinal and political bases of the Church. He was against the selling of indulgences, stated the sacraments were only as good as the priest, Eucharist was spiritually, and salvation depended on predestination. He attacked the Church’s right to wealth and luxury which made the English monarchy happy and thus he was protected. His followers were called Lollards.

Jan Hus-rejected much of what Wycliffe thought, but did agree that indulgences were not good. He called for Church reform of liturgy and morals. Both pope XXIII and Bohemian king Wenceslas IV were outraged! Hus was excommunicated and found guilty of heresy. He was burned at the stake! His followers were called Hussites