The Middle Ages in Western Europe

1. The Middle Ages in Western Europe An age of faith, darkness, revival, interaction, death and war

2. Periodization • Middle Ages (Medieval Era) emerges as the classic era declines (mainly after the Fall of Rome) • Ends approximately 1450-1500 CE • Generally, Middle Ages is divided into 3 parts: Early (Dark), Central, Late (High) • WHAP 9 allows us to view it in 2 sections • Until 1000 CE • After 1000 CE

3. Europe in 800

4. Europe in1328

5. Europe in 1430

6. Europe in 1470

7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO-8f3XpNMg

8. Post-Classical Themesin Western Europe • Civilization spread gradually beyond the Mediterranean • Christian missionaries convert Europeans from polytheistic faiths (syncretism blends some aspects into Christianity) • International interaction emerged • Increased technology expanded agricultural output and improved manufacturing • Math, science and philosophy were stimulated by new concepts • In which time frame would most of these concepts develop?

9. Not as commercially or culturally developed as the great civilizations of the P/C Era (Islam, Tang/Song, Byzantine) Under constant threat of Muslim invasion Indications of a developing, vital society- population growth, economic productivity, increased political complexity (feudalism and manorialism), technological innovation (agricultural innovations) Artistic (Gothic period) and intellectual complexity (university) Dichotomy of Western Europe

10. Characteristics of the Dark Ages • Disorder prevails following the fall of Rome • Economic, political, intellectual decline • Roman Catholic Church remains strong, unifying force • Muslim Spain maintains a vibrant golden age • France and Germany, later England, become the “center” of Post-Classical Western Europe • Scandinavian Vikings continually raid Western Europe, hindering economic and political growth • Literacy declines as monks and priests speak Latin and hold religious ceremonies in this language

11. KING LORDS/ NOBLES/ VASSALS KNIGHTS SERFS

12. The Manorial System • Form of local government (de-centralized) • (def) system of reciprocal economic and political obligations between landlords and peasants • Use of serfs (not slaves) to increase agricultural production and maintain manor • Serfs have rights (heritable ownership of houses and land)

13. Feudalism • System of land exchange in return for protection (political/military relationship) • First served local needs, but later served greater territories • Bureaucratic and administrative functions gradually emerged • William the Conqueror- merges feudal techniques with centralization (1066)

14. Roman Catholic Church • Single most unifying force in Western Europe during the Middle Ages • Appointed bishops, regulated laws, sponsored missionary activity • Clovis of the Franks- 496- demonstrates the military power of the church, responsible for many missions • Developed monastic movement • Set examples of holy life, improved cultivation techniques, preserved Greco-Roman culture

15. Charlemagne • Carolingian Dynasty (Charles Martel- Grandfather) • 8th century, Charles Martel defeats Muslims (732 CE) • First empire of the Dark Ages • “Light in the Dark Ages” • Church-based education, Classic Roman heritage • French, German, English languages emerged (vernacular)—beginnings of national unity • Charlemagne’ssuccessors call themselves “Holy Roman Emperors” (local lords & city-states go their own way) • What does this demonstrate???

16. Agriculture- moldboard plow, three-field system, horse collars, stirrups Viking incursions decline due to strengthened local and regional governments (what’s the impact?) Increased production= increased population growth Towns increase- merchant class, craft guilds Need for colonization due to land necessities Urbanization= increased literacy, pop culture, stimulated religious life Cathedral schools develop into universities (arts and architecture, science, math, medicine, philosophy, law, theology) 9th and 10th Century Growth

17. Holy Roman Empire- ruled by local lords and city-states Rome- ruled by Pope Low Countries (France, Southern Germany) ruled by regional units Parliaments emerge for the first time- rule on taxation, policy matters (representative) In strong feudal monarchies- power is limited by the Church, aristocratic military strength, developing urban centers 1215: King John of England forced to recognize the rights of feudal lords- Magna Carta What’s the significance of this document? Limited Government

18. Age of Conflict • Crusades (11th – 13th centuries) • Hundred Years War (14th century): Though primarily a dynastic conflict, the war gave impetus to ideas of both French and English nationality. Militarily, it saw the introduction of new weapons and tactics, which eroded the older system of feudal armies dominated by heavy cavalry. The first standing armies in Western Europe since the time of the Western Roman Empire were introduced for the war, thus changing the role of the peasantry

19. Faith & Reason • After 1000 CE, efforts to more fully understand the past (philosophy, rhetoric, logic) take on deeper meaning • Absolute faith in God’s word is stressed, but human reason contributed to the understanding of religion in natural order • RCC opposes such endeavors (logic demonstrates contradictions in religious theory; threatens Church power) • Similar to Islamic tensions

20. The debate flourishes in universities…opening intellectual avenues not present in other civilizations (like China) • Thirst for knowledge increases • St. Thomas Aquinas- Summas- faith comes first, but human reason allows a greater understanding of natural order, moral law and the nature of God (paves the way for the Renaissance)

21. Revival of Trade after 1000 CE • Post-classical west demonstrates great powers of innovation • 10th Century trade revival sets the west as a commercial zone- merchants move commodities from one region to another • Urban growth promotes specialized manufacturing and commerce • Banking is introduced- pre-cursor to capitalism

22. Mediterranean allows Italian city-states to flourish (luxury goods and spices) • Northern Europe- cities in N. Germany and S. Scandinavia form Hanseatic League • Weakness of western government allows for businesses to have a freer hand than in many other civilizations • Commercial leagues and artisan guilds grow

23. Group people in similar occupations • Regulated apprenticeships • Maintained good workmanship • Discouraged innovations (WHY???) • Manufacturing never reaches levels of Islamic world or China

24. Role of Women • Specialization leads to limited women’s role • Family remains most significant “job” • Christian emphasis on religion comes into play as an alternative- female monastic groups • Less restricted than Islamic women, but slowed down by male-dominated organizations • Patriarchal structure are firmly established by end of Middle Ages

25. Decline of Medieval Height • Hundred Years War • Famine • Black Death- Bubonic Plague, Black Plague • Weakness of feudal order • Agriculture can’t keep up with population growth • Tensions arise between landlords and peasants (Crusades) • Land-owning aristocracy lose its power as professional armies emerge • Church officials become less tolerant of intellectual boldness

27. SpreadOfBlackDeath

28. Impact of Western Europe during the Middle Ages • “Western” is tough to define because lack of political unity plus borrowing from Asian civilizations is high • RCC comes close to being defining • Link between rationalism and Christian thought • Foundations for the future were laid in terms of economic production and intellectual output • Secularism becomes a distinct aspect for Western Europe’s future