HIST&126 week 8
The most Christian man beloved by God, the glorious king of the Franks, while he was building this [Christian] monastery, wished that [its] consecration and the battles which he [waged] should not be consigned completely to oblivion.
—Monastery dedication attributed to Charlemagne, ninth-century Frankish Emperor
Societies, Networks, and Transitions: A Global History, Fourth Edition
Chapter
14
Christian Societies in Medieval Europe, Byzantium, and Russia, 600–1500
Western Europe after Rome
After the end of western Roman authority in 476, Europe fragmented into smaller societies aimed at restoring food and physical security
Climate entered a cooling period, limited growing seasons
Large movements of peoples sometimes produced conflict
No central authority to appeal to for physical security; local groups evolved new methods
Church played increasingly important role in European politics
Roman Christian and German groups gradually mingled—popes increasingly permitted moderate compromises to help “Christianize” Germanic peoples
Church funded monastic orders that provided labor and commercial services—clearing forests, providing shelter for men and women alike
Early Christian communities blended religious ideas with need to train up warriors for defense
14-1
UO16.3: Describe the characteristics of Western Europe from ca. 500 CE to ca. 1200 CE.
2
Carolingian society
Papacy allied with capable Christian kingdom of the Franks to secure Italy and France in the 700s and 800s
Supported new Frankish Carolingian dynasty by giving public authority to Charlemagne in 768 via special coronation ceremony in Rome
Charlemagne’s Frankish forces subjected much of France, Italy, and Germany to his rule
Promoted education and teaching of Christian doctrines
Consolidated his authority by appointing bishops and priests (natural allies) to govern territories
14-1
UO16.5: Describe the characteristics of Carolingian society.
3
The Holy Roman Empire
Empire founded by Charlemagne’s alliance with Church—Church made it “Holy,” Charlemagne made it an Empire
Empire was always decentralized, more like a system of vassalage than the Roman Empire
Charlemagne’s death in 814 divided imperial territory among Charlemagne’s grandsons as dictated by Treaty of Verdun in 843
Laid legal foundation for France and Germany
In Germany, Saxons established new empire over the many German princes
In 962, pope named Saxon leader Otto I the “Roman Emperor” in attempt to court alliance
No real efforts to centralize, Holy Roman Empire was a loose system of cooperation
Holy Roman Empire survived in some fashion until 1806
14-2
UO16.6: Describe the characteristics of the Holy Roman Empire.
4
Viking society (1 of 2)
Vikings from Scandinavia, seeking wealth, began raiding settlements in western Europe between 750 and 1200
Also began setting in various territories they raided
Vikings increasingly adopted Christianity in their home communities in Scandinavia
14-1
UO16.7: Describe the characteristics of Viking society.
5
Viking society (2 of 2)
Other Viking communities on north coast of France, Iceland, and Greenland
Normans among the most powerful of these settlements conquered England in 1066
Settlements as far West as Newfoundland in 1000
Other groups like Bulgars and Magyars also attempted raids on central European kingdoms
Germans under Otto destroyed Magyars in 955
14-1
UO16.7: Describe the characteristics of Viking society.
6
The European Economy
Commerce in the eastern Mediterranean suffered little relative to the West after Rome collapsed
As political stability returned to the West, trade with East resumed via Italian merchants
Italian city-states competed to control trade between Byzantium/Middle East and western Europe via Italy, Spain, and South of France
Increased connections with Islamic trade networks via Muslim Spain and Sicily
Ideas as well as goods flowing into Christian western Europe by 800
Agricultural technology imported through these networks helped European communities produce more food after 1000—moldboard plow, horseshoes
European industrial production resumed by the 1100s, powered by windmills
14-1
LO16.3.8: Describe the western European economy from ca. 500 CE to ca. 1200 CE.
7
Social Changes in Europe (1 of 2)
Life in Christian Europe a complex system of duties and obligations, mostly centered around food and resource production and security
Feudalism—centered on aristocrats who were granted land by a monarch in return for military and labor service
Those who managed land (lords) allowed peasants to farm land in return for portion of produce and rent
This system usually based on a fortified manor, laborers often serfs hereditarily bound to land
Promoted fairly rigid social order to maintain political stability, also rise of warrior class who were retained by lords and kings
14-2
UO19.1: Describe important social changes occurring in Europe ca. 1200–1500 CE.
8
Social Changes in Europe (2 of 2)
Resurgence of trade brought with it re-urbanization by 1000
Cities were more powerful than manors; people enjoyed greater freedoms because of that power
Free organization of labor into guilds helped enhance this power within new city politics
Cities also centers of religion and therefore Church authority
Women rarely had political rights, though idealized—men dominated society
Cities had new dangers too—crime, disease, and mass violence (by 1100s, anti-Semitism on the rise)
14-2
UO19.1: Describe important social changes occurring in Europe ca. 1200–1500 CE.
9
The Catholic Church and Society (1 of 2)
Church became increasingly important as a social and political force from the 800s
Church acted as register of vital records, tax collectors, markets and provided religious services
Controlled a person’s access to religion and thus the health of their soul
Reforms in the 1000s attempted to assert greater central control over religious officials and services
14-2
LO19.2.5: Explain the role played by the Catholic Church in European societies from ca. 1200 to 1500 CE.
10
The Catholic Church and Society (1 of 2)
Also attempted to reduce reliance on powerful European states—College of Cardinals to appoint new popes from 1059
Popes in the 1100s attempted to assert political authority over German and English kings
Church increasingly regulated European societies
Established the Inquisition in 1231 to bring people in line with Church orthodoxy
Tortured and killed many thousands of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others for alleged heresies
14-2
LO19.2.5: Explain the role played by the Catholic Church in European societies from ca. 1200 to 1500 CE.
11
The Rise of States in Europe (1 of 2)
Increasing church power and economic activity led kings to try to reassert their power
English kings are most successful—sidelined nobles, created new bureaucracies and courts 1000s–1100s
Some pushback—Charta limited royal power over tax collection, protected church
Capetian dynasty in France retook lands and expelled Jews, heretics, and religious orders from late 1100s to late 1300s
Pope attempted to challenge Philip the Fair’s efforts, French invaded papal territory
Pressure to elect French popes strong in 1300s, Papacy moved to Avignon 1305–1377
14-2
UO19.5: Describe the development of states in Europe.
12
The Rise of States in Europe (2 of 2)
Hohenstaufen dynasty in Germany attempted consolidation and assertion of power over northern Italy
Strong nobles and Papacy-led resistance in Italy prevented creation of strong, central monarch
Holy Roman Empire system persevered
14-2
UO19.5: Describe the development of states in Europe.
13
Crusades (1 of 2)
Islamic expansion and European reactions prompted response—First Crusade 1095–1099 CE
At first animated by Byzantine calls for help in conflict against Seljuk Turks in 1090s
Also fuelled by Papal desire to reassert authority over Byzantine church
Captured Jerusalem and established four “Crusader states” through bloody campaigns
Second Crusade to help defend crusader states 1147–1149—crusaders mostly killed Jews and Byzantines on their way
14-2
UO19.3: Describe the Crusades.
14
Crusades (2 of 2)
Muslim response led by Sunni Saladin from base in Egypt, pushed back crusaders prompting Third Crusade (1189–1192)
Recaptured Jerusalem, practiced tolerant rule, combined lands with rule over Egypt after previously overthrowing Shia Fatimids in the 1180s
Subsequent six crusades failed
Christian armies successfully conquered Muslim Spain, establishing several independent kingdoms by 1492
Heated debates about legitimacy of crusades founded many long-standing critiques of Church teachings
14-2
UO19.3: Describe the Crusades.
15
The Byzantine Empire (1 of 2)
Byzantines pressured but still a regional power in the 700s
Islamic armies, Slavic invaders, and Mongol invaders all pressured the southern, eastern, northern borders
Internal disputes over religious doctrine contributed to strain
Still strong trade-based economy thanks to strategic position
Byzantine retreat from 1000s though—lost southern Italy to Normans, Anatolia to Seljuks
Crusades initially to help Byzantium, but crusaders more often attacked Byzantines or took former territory between 1096 and 1200s
14-3
LO16.1.4: Describe the political system of post-Roman eastern Europe from ca. 500 CE to ca. 1200 CE.
16
The Byzantine Empire (2 of 2)
Byzantine hegemony spread Byzantine Christianity throughout Slavic world, introduced Cyrillic script
Byzantines important transmitters of ancient texts and principles to Eurasia and western Europe
Competition with Italian city-states led to new trade expeditions
14-3
LO16.1.4: Describe the political system of post-Roman eastern Europe from ca. 500 CE to ca. 1200 CE.
17
Rus (1 of 2)
Rus people from Ukraine with capital at Kiev—trade partners and enemies of Byzantines and Slavs
Expanded in 900s–1100s
Formed many new settlements, many focused on harvesting timber
Vladimir, Rus ruler in late 900s, adopted Eastern Orthodoxy in 988
Rus adoption of Eastern Orthodoxy helped it spread among Slavs as well
Among the first to experience Mongol attacks in the 1200s
Most Rus settlements subject to Mongol Golden Horde state until 1400s
14-3
UO16.8: Describe the characteristics of Rus society.
18
Rus (2 of 2)
Golden Horde promoted Rus state of Muscovy to prominence to help Mongols rule territory
Muscovy overthrew Mongol domination in 1440, first leader (czar/caesar) Ivan III
Muscovy broke with Byzantine Church, formed Russian Orthodoxy
Began expansion into Catholic Baltic regions
14-3
UO16.8: Describe the characteristics of Rus society.
19
European Crises
Climate change and disease presented several serious challenges to European societies from the 1200s
The “Little Ice Age” caused rapid cooling, shortening growing seasons and producing heavy rains
Crop failures led to widespread famines across northern Europe
The “Black Death” arrived in Europe in 1347
From 1348 to 1350, killed at least 33 percent of all Europeans
Cities hit especially hard, reducing trade considerably
Many consequences for societies in Europe
Some peasants took advantage of shortage by asking for greater privileges
Many joined revolts ending serfdom in 1358 and 1381
Some blamed Jews—thousands burned or exiled especially in German states
14-4
UO19.4: Explain how Europeans responded to major crises from ca. 1200 to 1500 CE.
20
Warfare
The Hundred Years War (1337–1453)—series of bloody conflicts between English and French royals
England fought to retain claim to lands on France, French also laid claim to them
At first, England able to defend lands, but in early 1400s, tide turned—Jeanne d’Arc
Christian kingdoms attempted to conquer Muslim states in Iberia (1085–1492)
Christian kingdom established in Portugal 1249 after years of fighting
By 1300s, most Muslim states conquered
War concentrated power in hands of strong monarchies
Internal conflict in England (Wars of the Roses) settled 1485 in favor of strong Tudor dynasty
French king introduces direct taxation to finance war, further sidelining nobles
Christian kingdoms in Iberia consolidated into Spanish kingdom by marriage
14-4
LO19.4.4: Describe how the Hundred Years’ War affected European societies.
21
European Renaissances (1 of 2)
Political stability and new tradition of debating reasons for wars, methods of organization, and role of the church combined in 1300s and 1400s
The foundations of the Renaissance—wealthy political patronage of ideas and creative pursuits to help enhance political autonomy
Critique of religious authority
Dante promoted vernacular language to remove Church monopoly over religious language
Critique of secular authority
Philosophers and Legal thinkers in universities developed new doctrines using classical texts
14-4
UO19.7: Compare the features of different “renaissances” in Europe.
22
European Renaissances (2 of 2)
New thought spread in vernacular via printing—literacy remained low, so spread to elites
Decline of Byzantium let Italian city-states gain control of trade between Eurasia and western Europe by the 1400s
Hanseatic league founded by German states also became important in the late 1200s
14-4
UO19.7: Compare the features of different “renaissances” in Europe.
23
Portuguese exploration
New Portuguese kingdom continued policy to expand Christianity and gain revenue to fund the new state
By 1400s, trade with East controlled by expensive intermediaries (Italians, Mamluks)
By 1400s, Portuguese importing slaves and gold, exporting arms
By 1420, main trading partner became West Africa
Portuguese focused on developing trade networks with West African and Indian Ocean trading networks
The Genoan Christopher Columbus pitched new expeditions westward but was turned down by Portuguese officials
14-4
UO25.2: Describe the characteristics of Portuguese imperial rule.
24
At the height of their power under Charlemagne during the early Middle Ages, the Carolingian rulers of the Franks controlled much of northwestern Europe, including what is today France, the Low Countries, western and southern Germany, and northern Italy.
MAP 14.1 Europe During the Carolingian Empire
During the High Middle Ages, the Holy Roman Empire, comprising dozens of smaller states, covered much of what is today Germany, Austria, eastern France, and northern Italy. France, England, Hungary, and
Poland were also major states.
MAP 14.2 Medieval Europe, 900–1300
During this period, France became western Europe’s strongest kingdom, but Spanish kings gradually reunified much of the Iberian
peninsula. The Holy Roman Empire remained decentralized. Meanwhile, Lithuania, Hungary, and Poland controlled much of eastern Europe.
MAP 14.3 Europe, 1400–1500