Unit 1 Notes

The Early and High Middle AgesRoman Catholic ChurchMost powerful institution in medieval western EuropeModeled after Romes governmentPope--supreme leaderCardinals--chief advisorsBishops--head religious districtsPriests--direct local communitiesRCCs Religious RoleTaught:Importance of sacramentsFaith, good works, and church membership for salvationUsed excommunication against those who violated Church lawsHeld inquisitions to uncover heretics

RCCs Economic RoleMonks farmed Considerable income from its:Lands (30% of western Europe)Gifts (especially through oblation)Taxes (10% tithe) Prohibited usury RCCs Cultural RolePromoted learning by maintaining schoolsCopied ancient books and manuscripts, preserving classical culture

RCCs Political RoleGoverned Papal States in ItalyDeveloped canon law based on Roman law Had its own courtsClaimed supremacy over civil government

Frankish KingdomClovis created powerful kingdom (5th century)Subdued other Germanic tribes in GaulConverted Franks to Catholic Christianity, gaining support of:PopeGauls large Christian population

Frankish KingdomMerovingian dynastyHis incompetent descendants ruled for more than 200 yearsDo-Nothing KingsPower passed to powerful noble, Mayor of the PalaceFrankish KingdomCarolingian dynastyCharles MartelDefeated Moors at Tours (732)PepinAt fathers death, became Mayor of the PalaceRemoved last Do-Nothing KingCharlemagne got throne in 768

Charlemagne768-814Increased power of Catholic ChurchEnded Lombard threat to Papal StatesConverted pagan peoples to Catholicism

CharlemagneEmpire= most of western Europe

CharlemagneEmperor of the Romans (800)Crowned by Pope Leo III in RomeGovernmentEmpire divided into provincesEach ruled by nobleMonitored by missi dominici Temporarily halted shift of power from central government to nobles

Education under CharlemagneCharlemagne valued educationEstablished schools in monasteries and cathedrals Encouraged collecting and copying of Latin manuscripts Education under CharlemagneCreated Carolingian miniscule (small letters)

Breakup of Charlemagnes EmpireTreaty of Verdun divided empire among 3 grandsonsLouisEastern/modern GermanyCharlesWestern/modern FranceLotharCentral/modern Italy

Differed from Roman EmpireRomeCentered around Mediterranean Endured many centuriesCharlemagneEncompassed mainly central and western EuropeCrumbled at Charlemagnes death

New Invasions (9th-11th centuries)Vikings to coastal/ river cities

New Invasions (9th-11th centuries)Magyars from Asia to Hungary to Western EuropeNormans invaded Britain from France

New Invasions (9th-11th centuries)Arabs to Southern France/ItalyLed to development of new relationship ... feudalism

Why Feudalism?Attacks from outsidersWeakness of central governmentsGerman rulers gave landed estates to important nobles in return for military assistance

Feudalism DefinedSocial systemRigid class distinctionsStatic (unchanging) way of lifePolitical systemLocal governmentLocal military defenseEconomic systemSelf-sufficient agricultural manorsFeudal SocietyDetermined by birth, not workFeudal social pyramidKingNominally owned all landControlled only his estatesPowerful lordsGot fiefs from kingPledged military service

Feudal SocietyFeudal social pyramid (contd)Lesser lordsGot fiefs from powerful lordPledged military serviceKnightsMost numerous noblesSerfs--peasantsFeudal SocietyLords could receive lands from several lords leading to questions of primary allegianceObligations between lord/vassal or noble/serf were hereditaryNobles title and property could only be inherited by first-born son (primogeniture) Feudal GovernmentWeak Central GovernmentKing theoretically administered entire kingdomActually did not have authority beyond his own landsHe was only one of several powerful lordsFeudal GovernmentVigorous local governmentNobles controlled their landsThey:Made lawsLevied taxesDispensed justiceWaged war

Feudal EconomySelf-sufficient agricultural manorSerfs bound to landLow agricultural outputSerfs given scattered strips of landWooden plows and crude sicklesThree-field system

Revival of Trade/TownsEnd of barbarian invasionsCrusades increased European demand for Eastern luxuriesGrowth of well-located townsTowns provided facilities for:StorageMarketingProduction of goodsRevival of Trade/TownsMedieval towns gained their freedom from feudal lords by:Purchasing charters from lord/monarchSuccessful armed uprisingsRevival of Trade/TownsRise of bourgeoisie (middle class)New economic class grew with:Increased tradeGrowth of townsConsisted of professional people:MerchantsShopkeepersBankersLeading Medieval CentersIn ItalyCities on Italian seacoastVeniceGenoaPisaNaplesAdvantagesMediterranean locationCommercial tradition

Leading Medieval CentersIn BelgiumCities in province of FlandersBrugesGhentFlemish cities at crossroads of trade routes from northern Europe to Italy Leading Medieval CentersIn Northern GermanyCities:BremenHamburgLubeckControlled trade in Baltic and North seasIn 1200s became Hanseatic League

Merchant GuildsRegulated trade by:Taxing non-members to discourage competitionEncouraging fair business practicesParticipating actively in town governmentFunctioning as social clubs Craft GuildsAssociations of skilled craftsmen organized by craft

Medieval Towns AdvantagesFreedom from feudal restrictionsRicher, more varied lifeCultural and educational facilitiesOpportunities for economic advancement Medieval Towns DisadvantagesStreets were dangerous:NarrowUnpavedUnlightedUnguardedWooden buildings close together, allowed fires to spread rapidlyMedieval Towns DisadvantagesTown walls, though protective, thwarted town growthPoor sanitationLed to epidemics and plaguesBlack DeathCrusades (1095-1291)Byzantine emperor appealed to RCC for aid against Moslem Turks

Political Effects of CrusadesStrengthened kings/central governments by:Weakening nobilityStimulating tradeTrade needs central authority offering law and orderRising merchant class supported kings Eventually Magna Carta John I - limited power of kingSocio-Economic Effects of CrusadesWeakened serfdomSome paid for use of lords land in money by selling cropsEvolved into modern tenant-landlord relationshipSome freed Joined CrusadesFled to cities for year + 1 daySocial Effects of CrusadesBroadened peoples outlookCrusaders saw advanced Moslem and Byzantine civilizationsGained better geographic knowledgeEncouraged learning

Economic Effects of CrusadesStimulated trade and townsIncreased European demand for Eastern productsThroughout Europe, especially in Italy:Money replaced barterBourgeoisie gained wealth and influenceHigher Education1000-1100s--scholars founded many important universitiesWide variety of subjectsTheologyPhilosophyLawMedicine

The Early and High Middle Ages