Crisis of the Late Middle Ages

In the century between 1340s to 1450s, Europe unraveled economically,

religiously, militarily and culturally.

                                                                                                                                                                                    

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I. Black Death

A. Overpopulation of Europe1. Productive capacity of Europe is reached

2. Less productive land pressed to service 3. Famine of 1315-22 kills 10% of Europe

B. Plague is nature’s reward for growth of trade C. Third of the population dead in three years

I. Black Death

C. Effects of the Black Death 1. Massacre of the Jews

2. Decline in trade, production3. Inflation

4. Labor shortagea. hurts ownersb. helps laborers

5. Peasant uprisings6. Credibility of church in question

II. Decline of the Church

A. Victory of Kings over the Popes

B. French dominance and popes' removal to Avignon C. Black Death

D. Catherine of Siena fights to restore the church

Papal Palace in Avignon

II. Decline of the Church

E. Great Schism (1378-1418) 1. Two popes up to 1409

a. Nations choose sides 2. Three popes (1409-1418)

3. Damage to authority of popes

F. Kingdoms impose limits on papal power1. England in 13512. France in 1438 (Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges)3. Germany 1439 (Pragmatic Sanction of Mainz)

4. Means the creation of national churches, notuniversal church

II. Decline of the Church

G. Popes reduced to being Italian princes1. Example of Alexander VI (1492-1503)

III. Late Medieval Innovations

A. Search for renewed faith1. Mysticism2. Conciliarism3. Wycliffe and Hus

B. Humanism– a focus on the human dimension1. Humanism in art

a. Giottob. Jan Van Eyck

Berlinghieri

St. Francis

1235

CimabueMary EnthronedFlorence, 1280

GiottoVirgin & ChildEnthroned

Florence, 1310

Giotto Lamentation (1305)

Jan Van Eyck Madonna and Canon Van der Paele 1436

Ambroglio Lorenzetti,

Effects of Good Government in the City

1340

III. Late Medieval Innovations

B. Humanism– a focus on the human dimension1. Humanism in art

a. Giottob. Jan Van Eyck

2. Humanism in literaturea. passion for secular Roman poetryb. Petrarchc. Pisan

IV. Hundred Years’ War (1337-1456) A. Great war between the two greatest monarchies

B. Edward III’s motives 1. Restore English holdings 2. Control Flanders 3. Claim to French throne 4. Chivalric glory

IV. Hundred Years’ War B. Superior tactics of the English forces 1. Battle of Crecy (1346)

IV. Hundred Years’ War B. Superior tactics of the English forces 1. Battle of Crecy (1346)

a. the longbow 2. The Black Prince and Battle of Poitiers (1356) 3. Chivalry not dead yet, but dying

IV. Hundred Years’ War

C. Henry V 1. Victory at Agincourt, 14152. Agincourt Carol3. Wins French crown4. Dies in 1422, leaving infant

son

Agincourt Carol (English, c.1415)

Deo gracias, Anglia, redde pro victoria!

Our King went forth to Normandy With grace and might of chivalry There God for him wrought marvelously: Wherefore England may call and cry Deo gracias

Then went him forth, our king comely, In Agincourt field he fought manly; Through grace of God most marvelously, He had both field and victory. Deo gracias

The lords, earls and barons Were slain and taken in that full soon, And some were brought to London With joy and bliss and great renoun. Deo gracias

Almighty God he keep our king. His people, and all his well-willing. And give them grace without ending; Then may we call and savely sing: Deo gracias.

IV. Hundred Years’ War

D. Joan of Arc (1412-31)1. Peasant girl 2. Visions at 12 of leading France3. Seeks prince at 164. Victory at Orleans5. Crowns prince as King6. Burned as a witch by English7. Sainted in 1920

E. National identity1. Henry V in song and plays2. Joan and national destiny

V. End of Middle Ages

A. End of era of knights

B. End of the predominance of the church

C. Rise of Humanism

D. Emergence of nations