HH World Studies

Medieval EuropeOverview

Medieval EuropeThe period in European History between

the fall of Rome and the Renaissance (400s to 1400s AD)

Three PhasesEarly Middle Ages (400s-900s AD)

Known as the “Dark Ages”, characterized by declining population, scarcity of cultural achievements, and the unifying power of the Church; Carolingian Dynasty

High Middle Ages (1000s-1200s AD)With the end of invasions, populations

began to rise; characterized by Manorialism, feudalism, the rise of centralized states and the Crusades

Late Middle Ages (1300s-1400s AD)Characterized by war and famine – the

Black Death and Hundred Years War – along with intellectual and military developments

Early Middle Ages (400s-900s AD)Known as the “Dark Ages”, characterized by declining population, scarcity of cultural achievements, and the unifying power of the Church; Carolingian Dynasty

High Middle Ages (1000s-1200s AD)With the end of invasions, populations began to rise; characterized by Manorialism, feudalism, the rise of centralized states and the Crusades

Late Middle Ages (1300s-1400s AD)

Characterized by war and famine – the Black Death and Hundred Years War – along with intellectual and military developments

Early Middle Ages (400s-900s AD) Known as the “Dark Ages”, characterized by

declining population, scarcity of cultural achievements, and the unifying power of the Church; Carolingian Dynasty

Germanic InvadersGermanic peoples moved

into former Roman empireMedieval culture was a

combination of Germanic values and Roman institutionsTribal leaders became

kingsRoman law mixed

with German customsChristianity

Map of Germanic Invasions / Kingdoms

Latin ChristendomThe Civilization that dominated Europe after the fall of Rome – influenced by German Culture, Roman institutions, and THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Catholic Church offered structure and authority

Only constant Offered promise of

salvation

Church Hierarchy

Monasteries and SacramentsCenters of knowledgeLived humble lifestyle

according to Rule of Saint Benedict

encouraged sacraments to provide people with a common path to achieve salvation

What role did Religion play in Medieval Europe? Why was the Church an important institution?Promise of salvation in

chaotic timesMonasteries preserved

knowledgeOffered structure and

hierarchy / order and organization

Provided a set of valuesMedieval kings desired the

approval of Rome for legitimacy

The Franksstrongest and most

powerful Germanic Kingdom

Made alliance with Rome to solidify control over vast lands

Greatest Frankish king was Charles the Great, or Charlemagne

Fell apart under Charlemagne’s descendants

Charlemagne In return for defending the Papal States he was

crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo on Christmas Day, 800AD

Valued learning created social stabilityImposed hierarchical orderEmpire weakened under his heirs

High Middle Ages(1000s-1200s AD) With the end of invasions, populations

began to rise; characterized by Manorialism, feudalism, the rise of centralized states and the Crusades

FeudalismInformal political system of Medieval Europe:  legal and military obligations

among the warrior nobility, revolving around three key concepts: lords, vassals and fiefs

Many small kingdomsKings relied on nobles who

controlled the land and serfs Valued loyalty and local self-

sufficiency (fealty)

Manorial SystemThe dominant economic system of Medieval Europe

Peasants work the land of nobles in return for payment

Self-sufficient 3 Field Crop-rotation

The Crusades a series of European

expeditions to retake the Christian “Holy Land” from the Muslims

Causes: religion, power, adventure

Only the first was successful

Effects: revived trade, new learning, growth of towns

Nation-BuildingOvertime, kings solidified their power over the nobility and created stronger, more centralized governments

Examples:EnglandFrance

England 1066 – Norman lord William the Conqueror invades England and takes the throne

Domesday Book: survey of English land and ownership; useful for taxation and military service

Magna Carta: king agreed to never raise taxes without the consent of nobility

Late Middle Ages(1300s-1400s AD) Characterized by war and famine – the

Black Death and Hundred Years War – along with intellectual and military developments

Hundred Years WarSeries of conflicts between England and France fought on and off over a hundred year period [1337-1453]

Causes:SuccessionFrench landsNational unityEconomic rivalry

Strengths and WeaknessesENGLANDFRANCE

Strong Central Government

Military disciplineTechnological/weapons

superiority The longbowCannons

Relied on strategy rather than numbers Avoided pitched battlesPreferred quick raids

Larger population (about 16,000,000)

Home-field advantage Far richer than England

Internal disunity and social conflict

Lack of good leadership

3 Phases of the Hundred Years War

1. English Advance into France2. Internal Struggles

Peasant revolts

3. French Rally around Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc executed by English as a heretic

** In the end the English are driven out of France

Outcomes of the War

FrancenationalismMore centralized state Heavy taxes on peasantry

EnglandCivil War for the throne

(War of the Roses) Development of industry

(clothing)

Outcomes of the War

OverallBurden on peasants Downfall of feudalismRevolution in European

warfarelongbow = end of

knightsGunpowder and

cannons take down castle walls

Allowed strong and wealthy king to centralize power at the expense of rebellious nobles

Black Death Cases of bubonic

plague reached Italy in 1348 and quickly spread throughout Europe

25% to 50% of Europeans perished

Late Medieval RevivalRevival of tradeRise of TownsRevival of Learning