Medieval Europe Intro/Life/Church

Introduction

• By 500 AD, Germanic Invasions had all but destroyed the urban world of the Roman Empire– Trade Declined– Cities, bridges, and roads fell into disrepair and disuse.– Law and Order Vanished, and education almost

disappeared– Money was no longer used– For most, life did not extend beyond the tiny villages

where they were born, lived and died– Dark Ages

Dark Ages

• Western Europe was so backward because of this decline that the early part of this period was once call the Dark Ages

• Medieval- Latin for Middle Age– Transition between ancient and modern times

• Out of this violent medieval period, or Middle Ages, a dynamic civilization arose.– Combined elements classical and Germanic cultures

with Christian beliefs

Medieval Life Review

• Feudalism- highly decentralized form of government that developed in western Europe. Stressed alliances of mutual protection between monarchs and nobles of various degrees of power.– Land given to nobles in exchange for loyalty and

military aid• With the land came peasants to farm it

• Nobles also had powers over land usually reserved for governments

Medieval Church

• The decline of Rome led the church to assume many political and social tasks– Bishop of Rome, now the Pope, became the

strongest political leader in W. Europe.– The Pope claimed spiritual authority over all

Christians – After the fall of Rome…the church takes on the

central authority

Religious Role

• Church taught all were sinners

• Only way to receive grace was through sacraments

• Most people did not understand rituals– Priest spoke in Latin and most could not read or

write• Much was learned from statues, paintings and

stained glass windows that adorned most churches

Church Organization

• Same as early Christian Church• Remember the hierarchy?

• Secular Clergy

– Pope– Bishop– Priests

• Regular Clergy- included Monks and Nuns that lived away from the rest of society

Benedict’s Rule

• Founded a monastery at Monte Cassino– Became a model for monks in other

communities– Rules for work, meditation and prayer

Monastic Life

• Monks dressed simply (robes)

• Rule of silence

• Women- known as Nuns

Influence of Monastics

• Provided school for young

• Hospitals for sick

• Food for needy

• Some became missionaries

Missionary Efforts

• Pope Gregory I adopted the Benedictine Rule to spread Christianity to all of Europe– Mid 1000s AD- Most western Europeans had

become Catholic

Power of Church

• Many Bishops and Abbots were nobles who received land

• Local lords began to control many church offices and lands- contrary to church tradition- appointing leaders– Signs of corruption

Church Reform

• Many devout Christians called for reforms– Began in monasteries

• Goal of reforms:– Free Church from control of feudal lords

• Reforms:– Pope would be chosen by cardinals– Pope would appoint bishops and other officials

Fighting Heresy

• Pope Innocent III- condemned drunkenness, feasting, and dancing among clergy

• Stop spread of heresy (denial of basic church teachings)– Convert first/ crush later

The Inquisition

• Court set up to seek out and punish heretics– Many accused without proof

• Punishments- prison or death

Rise of European Monarchy

-After decline of Rome…no central authority existed until the 1100ADs when many European monarchs began building strong states

England

• Alfred the Great united the Anglo-Saxons kingdoms– United kingdom=England

• William the Conqueror won the throne– Began to strengthen powers of monarchy

• Magna Carta (Thomas Becket)– Placed clear limits of royal power

– *Government becoming increasingly representative

Holy Roman Empire

• Germany’s central government remained weak

• Pope and monarchs struggle for power and territory for years– Strengthening monarch threatened church

power

The CrusadesEuropeans undertook a series of military expeditions (9) toreclaim the holy lands (Jerusalem) from the Muslims.

Why did the Christians consider these lands holy?

Why did the Muslims consider these lands holy?

-This was where Jesus was killed and resurrected…

-This was where Muhammad ascended to heaven…

In the 600s AD, Jerusalem fell to Muslim Arabs. Christians andJews were allowed to live there peacefully…

In the 1000s ad, the Seljuk Turks (Muslims from Asia) tookOver and closed the city to Jewish and Christian pilgrims…

1st Crusade

November, 1095ad

Pope Urban II addressescrowds imploring themto take back the holy lands“God Wills It!”

June, 1099AD- Jerusalemfalls to the Europeans.

Religious fever cools down… But Tensions are rising betweenMuslims and Christians!!!

2nd Crusade

Less than 50 years later, The Seljuks recapture partOf the Palestine states…

Pope Eugenius IV calls for the second crusade…It fails… They were easily defeated…

This crusade only lasted from 1147-1149AD.

3rd CrusadeIn 1187AD a forceful leader named Saladin united the MuslimForces and took back Jerusalem… Europe was horrified!

Many kings, includingKing Richard I of England assembledwarriors for a thirdcrusade (called the“Crusade of Kings”)

After three years offighting King Richardcalled a truce…Many other crusades followed… none were successful.

Results of the Crusades?

The result of the Crusades ishard to determine…

-Land gained from the Crusades was later taken back.

-Europe lost many men in theCrusades, but for what?

-Did they win anything?

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