Western Europe in the Middle Ages

Chapter TenAP World History

Ms. Tully

Overview of the Middle Ages

• Fall of Rome 15th Century• 5th – 10th C – Early M.A. (Dark Ages)• 10th – 14th C – High M.A. • 14th – 15th C – Late M.A.

• Age of great faith – Christianity• Increasing participation in trade with Asia &

Africa• The Crusades

The Dark Ages (500-900 CE)• Dominance of “barbarians”

& frequent invasions

• Overall decline of civilization

• Shift of power away from Med. Northern & Western EU

• Emergence of regional kingdoms, but most society still very localized

Manorialism• Socio-political-economic organization on local

level• Serfs lived on manors owned by a lord• Levels of production = low; technology = limited • Local politics with regional aristocrats is most

common form of organization until Vikings invade at large in 9th C Western Europeans turn to feudalism for greater protection, but manorialism in not abandoned

The Rise of the Catholic Church

• Only example of solid organization • Copied government of Roman Empire to administer

Christendom• Extensive missionary activity• Early kings interested in Christianity• Development of monasteries• Monastic orders based on saints – St. Clare & St. Francis of

Assisi• 1073-1085: Gregorian Reforms with Gregory VII• Becomes most powerful and wealthy institution in the West

Charlemagne and the Carolingians

• Frankish Carolingian dynasty grows in power (origins of modern FR & GR)

• 732: Charles Martel defeats Muslims in Battle of Tours

• Charlemagne (r. 768-814) Est. empire in FR & GR ca. 800 Holy Roman Empire

• Carolingian Renaissance

• 843: Treaty of Verdun empire breaks into three kingdoms

Holy Roman Empire (962-1806)

• After Charlemagne HRE position/empire declines

• Revived in 962: Otto I of Saxony crowned HRE (r. 936-973)

• Merging of classical & Christian

• Collection of principalities, city-states, small kingdoms

Feudal Monarchies• Military and political

system

• Growth of strong feudal monarchy in Europe took many centuries

• Decline of Viking raids by 10th C

• Result regional monarchies with strong aristocracies

• William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy

Limiting Government • Growth of monarchy cut

into aristocratic power attempts to limit monarchical power

• 1215: Magna Carta

• 1265: first English Parliament

• Three Estates (Church, Nobles, Commoners)

• Monarchies continued to increase in power

The Crusades• Eight Crusades • Three Primary Causes:

• Power of church over people’s mindset• Bored soldiers• Great Schism

• 1095: First Crusade called by Pope Urban II reclaim Holy Land from Muslims

• Reclaimed Jerusalem for ~100 years, lost to Saladin in 12th C• Demonstrated growing European ability & ambition• New contact with Islam & new possibilities• Demonstrated aggressive spirit of Western Europe

The High Middle Ages • Increased urbanization

and declining manorialism

• Increased trade

• Increased economic activity & banking

• Increased universities

• Declining feudal political structures

Urbanization and Education

• Warming trend after 750 CE population growth

• Pop. Growth economic expansion

• Expansion of literacy

• Emphasis on education Growth of universities

Theology (Faith + Reason)• Greek philosophy

assimilated into Catholic religious tradition

• Dominant intellectual theme in postclassical West

• Bernard of Clairvaux anti-theology, pro-mysticism

• Thomas Aquinas

Religion in Art and Literature• Distinctive tradition in art &

architecture

• Painting: Wood panels, religious scenes, no perspective

• Romanesque: Blocky, “Roman” – like

• Gothic: Verticality, light, intricate

• Literature: Latin vs. Vernacular

Agricultural Innovations• Moldboard

• Crop rotation

• Three-field system

• More food more people more urban areas

• Peasants starting to gain financial freedom

Growth of Trade and Banking• Money replaces barter

system emergence of new markets

• Growth of banking led by merchants

• Rebirth of Mediterranean trade

• Hanseatic League

• Merchants enjoyed relative autonomy

• Growth of guilds

The Role of Women• Traditional roles: wife

and childcare provider

• Code of Chivalry: Reinforced ideas that women were weak/subordinate

• Nunnery: Alternative to marriage

• Mary vs. Eve

Crisis of the Late Middle Ages

• Overpopulation

• Hundred Years’ War

• Great Schism – 3 Popes?

• Black Death ca. 1350