The Middle Ages: 476-1450

Europe in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEurope in the 500s CEEffects of the Roman Empire’s

Collapse

-Population reduced by over 25%

-Lack of centralization in government – strong local elites took control of smaller areas

- Christianity provided limited unity throughout Europe

- New Germanic rulers of disunited kingdoms tried to retain some aspects of Rome (they admired it!)

- Germanic people become the “dominant peoples”

The Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic ChurchThe Medieval Catholic Church

monasticism: monks & nuns living together in organized communities

poverty, chastity, and obedience.

provided schools

monasteries = inns, hospitals, refuge

libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts.

monks missionaries

A Medieval MonkA Medieval Monk’’s Days DayA Medieval MonkA Medieval Monk’’s Days Day

The Power of the Medieval The Power of the Medieval ChurchChurch

The Power of the Medieval The Power of the Medieval ChurchChurch

church controlled 1/3 of the land in Western Europe.

tithe 1/10 tax given to the church.

Canon law: The Law of the Church

Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. Holy Roman Emperor: Dec.

25, 80025, 800

Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. Holy Roman Emperor: Dec.

25, 80025, 800Europe does briefly experience some unity under the rule of Charlemagne (“Charles the Great”)

The Government Structure of The Government Structure of Medieval Western EuropeMedieval Western Europe

FeudalismFeudalism• A political and social system based A political and social system based

on loyalty, land, and military on loyalty, land, and military service.service.

-Occurs due to weakness in the centralized -Occurs due to weakness in the centralized governmentgovernment

- As central authority breaks down, people look - As central authority breaks down, people look to local leaders for protectionto local leaders for protection

Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in Serf: Landless peasant who offers labor in exchange for protectionexchange for protection

Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to Fief: A grant of land in return for a pledge to provide military service provide military service

FeudalismFeudalismFeudalismFeudalism

Structure

The Economic System of The Economic System of Medieval Western EuropeMedieval Western Europe

ManorialismManorialism

• An localized economic systemAn localized economic system• Needed products were made Needed products were made

on a large land estate called a on a large land estate called a ManorManor

• Barter was commonBarter was common• Trade was not as prominentTrade was not as prominent

The Medieval ManorThe Medieval ManorThe Medieval ManorThe Medieval Manor

Life on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval ManorLife on the Medieval Manor

SerfsSerfs at work at work

The Late Middle AgesThe Late Middle Ages

-Increasing stability and security in Western Europe

-Climate change (warmer!)

-Population grew from 35 million people to 80 million people by 1340

-Growth of trade due to agricultural expansion

Changes During the Late Middle AgesChanges During the Late Middle Ages

• Populations of cities and towns grewPopulations of cities and towns grew• New sources of power (wind & water) New sources of power (wind & water)

increased productionincreased production• Trade picked up in the MediterraneanTrade picked up in the Mediterranean• Groups of people organized themselves into Groups of people organized themselves into

guildsguilds

Medieval GuildsMedieval GuildsMedieval GuildsMedieval Guilds

Guild Guild HallHall

Guild Guild HallHall

Associations of Craftsmen controlling trades (ex: shoe makers, stained glass makers, etc.)

Controlled membership apprentice journeyman master craftsman

Controlled quality of the product & prices

Popes vs. KingsPopes vs. Kings

• Relationship between the Church Relationship between the Church and State became more tense as and State became more tense as Kings began to centralize controlKings began to centralize control

• Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of Pope Gregory VII vs. Henry IV of FranceFrance

• Investiture Controversy Investiture Controversy – Issues over appointments Issues over appointments – Papacy over the crown?Papacy over the crown?

Magna Carta, 1215:Magna Carta, 1215:ENGLANDENGLAND

Magna Carta, 1215:Magna Carta, 1215:ENGLANDENGLAND

English Kings English Kings had the most had the most difficulty difficulty centralizing centralizing control control

“Great Charter”

kings had to consult a council of advisors to tax

Rights of NOBILTY

Christian CrusadesChristian CrusadesChristian CrusadesChristian Crusades

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Pope Urban II: Preaching a CrusadeCrusade

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Pope Urban II: Preaching a CrusadeCrusade

-Series of “Holy Wars” with a goal to recapture the Holy Lands (E. Mediterranean) from Muslims

-Viewed as being done at God’s command and authorized by the Pope

-Results: Europe came into contact with more advanced civilizations to the East, trade picked up, more luxury goods flowed into Europe