Europe: High Middle Ages

By David, Natalie and Terry

Magna Carta

First introduced in England in 1215

John Lackland, son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitane, became King John in 1199

John’s rule was considered unsuccessful:

Lost territory to the French and tried unsuccessfully to regain it

Involved in a conflict with the Roman Catholic Church and was excommunicated (banned from participating in the Church)

Overtaxed his barons to fund his failing military campaignsImaginary portrait of King John

Magna Carta

In 1215, angry nobles stormed London and forced King John to sign and place his seal on the Great Charter, or Magna Carta

It first limited the power of the king – he had to abide to the same laws as his subjects

Stated that all free men were to be judged by their peers – foundations of trial by jury

Was declared as law of England and its colonies in 1297 by King Edward I

One of the most important documents in English law – formed the basis of English constitution and law for years to come

Magna Carta

Magna Carta

Additionally, the Charter promised equal justice, no unreasonable imprisonment and no taxation without representationThe Magna Carta is part of the Canadian Constitution and inspired the United States Constitution

King John signing the Magna Carta

The CrusadesChristian Crusades lasted from 1095 to 1291In 1100 AD, the conquering urges of Germanic and Viking warriors were unleashed on Islam with Christian moral authorizationCrusaders pillaged the East, bringing back wealth to Western EuropeShippers became wealthy transporting Crusaders back and forthSince Constantine I, Christians went on pilgrimages to the Holy Land of Palestine, where Jesus came fromAlthough Jerusalem was ruled by the Muslims since 638, Christians were allowed to visit until the 11th century – the Seljuk Turks took over and pilgrimages were banned Fighting during the Crusades

The Crusades

The First Crusade was authorized by Pope Urban II (1088 – 1099)He helped Byzantine Emperor Alexus I in launching the first CrusadeIn his 1095 speech to the Council of Clermont in France, Pope Urban II urged Christian princes to embark on a crusade to save the Holy Land from the Turks. He combined the ideas of pilgrimage with waging a holy war against infidels (non believers)He granted Crusaders indulgence – a special religious pardon where Crusaders would be forgiven for their sins for fighting the Holy War, and would go directly to heaven for dying in battlePope Urban II

The Crusades

The first group of Crusaders were peasant, and attacked Jews and other Christians as well as infidels. They were killed by the Turks when they reached the Holy Land

5000 priests, workers, knights, prostitutes and lords dressed as Crusaders and seized the cities of Antioch and Jerusalem, setting up three kingdoms: the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli and the Kingdom of Jerusalem

7 more Crusades followed, but were unsuccessful

In 1291, the Crusaders surrendered and returned home

Siege of Antioch

The Crusades

Led to the creation of powerful groups of knights such as the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights

Europeans adapted parts of Muslim civilization:

Learned to bathe regularly

Acquired tastes for other foods

Began to learn Arabic language and Muslim ideas

Replaced the Roman numerals with the Arabic numerals, making math simpler and easier to learn

Sources

Britannia.com, LLC. Monarchs of Britian: John Lackland. 19 Dec. 2006 <http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon28.html>.

Newman, Garfield. Echoes from the Past: World History to the 16th Century. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2001.

The Baronial Order of Magna Charta. Magna Carta. 19 Dec. 2006 <http://www.magnacharta.com/articles/magna.htm>.

The British Library. Magna Carta - the Basics. 18 Dec. 2006 <http://www.bl.uk/treasures/magnacarta/basics.html>.

The British Monarchy. The Angevins - John Lackland. 19 Dec. 2006 <http://www.qmmemorial.gov.uk/output/Page64.asp>.

Unknown Author. The Christian Crusades. 18 Dec. 2006 <http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/bible/crusades.stm>.