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The Middle Ages

Terms in this set (91)

Middle Ages
the period of European history from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West (5th century) to the fall of Constantinople (1453), or, more narrowly, from c. 1100 to 1453.
Franks
a member of a Germanic people that conquered Gaul in the 6th century and controlled much of western Europe for several centuries afterward
Monastery
a building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows
Secular
(of clergy) not subject to or bound by religious rule; not belonging to or living in a monastic or other order
Carolingian Dynasty
a Frankish dynasty founded by Charlemagne's father, Pepin the Short, that ruled from 751 to 987
Treaty of Verdun
treaty that divided Charlemagne's kingdom among his grandsons;
• Charles the Bald - France
• Louis the German - Germany
• Lothair - Rome and Aachen
Battle of Tours
regarded as one of the decisive battles of the world. It decided that Christians, and not Moslems, should be the ruling power in Europe. Charles Martel led the Franks.
Feudalism
the political and economic exchange of land
Vikings
any of the Scandinavian seafaring pirates and traders who raided and settled in many parts of northwestern Europe in the 8th-11th centuries
Feudal pyramid
the ranking system of the people in the Middle Ages
Lords
people of authority who owned land, and gave land to Vassals
Vassals
got land from the Lords, cared for the land and swore his loyalty to his Lord
Knights
a man who served his lord as a mounted soldier in armor; protected everyone; military service
Fiefs
the estate of land given to a Vassal by a Lord
Manor
the manor house of a lord and the lands attached to it
Tithe
one tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy
Chivalry
the medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code; kindness to women, loyalty to lords, politeness
Troubadours
traveling singers who wrote poems about love and chivalry, sang their love poems in castles and in towns
Song of Roland
The Song of Roland is a heroic poem based on the Battle of Roncesvalles in 778, during the reign of Charlemagne. It is the oldest surviving major work of French literature
Roles of women in the middle ages
-could inherit land
-supported husbands
-could not advance very far in guilds
Problems within the Church
Wealth, corruption, simony, excommunication (To deprive of the right of church membership by ecclesiastical authority), and interdict (withholding of certain sacraments and clerical offices from certain persons and even territories, usually to enforce some type of obedience)
Simony
the buying and selling of church positions
Indulgences
granted full or partial remission of the punishment of a sin
Clergy
all men who have taken holy orders in the Christian Church
Sacraments
a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual divine grace, in particular
Canon law
ecclesiastical law, esp. (in the Roman Catholic Church) that laid down by papal pronouncements.
Holy Roman Empire
a political entity in Europe that began with the papal coronation of Otto I as the first emperor in 962 and lasted until 1806 when it was dissolved by Napoleon
Lay investiture
the appointment of bishops, abbots, and other church officials by feudal lords and vassals
Concordat of Worms
an agreement reached by Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V that put an end to the first phase of the power struggle between Rome and what was becoming the Holy Roman Empire.
Lombard League
a medieval alliance formed in 1167 to counter the attempts by the Holy Roman Emperors from the House of Hohenstaufen to assert Imperial influence over Italy
Market economy
an economy in which decisions regarding investment, production and distribution are based on supply and demand, and prices of goods and services are determined in a free price system
Usury
the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest
Apprentice
a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages
Journeymen
a trained worker who is employed by someone else
Crusades
a medieval military expedition, one of a series made by Europeans to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries
Vernacular
the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region
Hundred Year's War
A war between France and England that lasted from the middle of the fourteenth century to the middle of the fifteenth. The kings of England invaded France, trying to claim the throne.
War of the Roses
a series of dynastic wars fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet—the houses of Lancaster and York—for the throne of England
Great Schism
split within the Catholic Church from 1378 to 1418. Several men simultaneously claimed to be the true pope. Driven by politics rather than any theological disagreement, the schism was ended by the Council of Constance (1414-1418)
Babylonian Captivity
exile of the six Popes at Avignon after Clement V moved Church HQ to Avignon
Hanseatic League
Commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe
Domestic system
a type of industrial organization where industry was carried out in the workers homes rather than in factories
craft guild/guild
an association of merchants or workers with the same interest or trade
Trade
-The Crusades spurred a revival of trade and led to economic growth throughout Western Europe
- Italian ships brought goods back from Asia
-Viking ships brought Asian goods to Northern Europe
-The Hanseatic League set up trading ports
-The city of Flanders became a meeting center of different trade routes
Spanish Inquistion
- dispose of heretics; those whose views differ from the Church's
-Get ride of all Jews & non-christians
Problems of the Monarchy
corruption, power to one person
Battle of the Hastings
October 1066: William the Conqueror defeated Harold of Wessex during the Norman conquest of England
Purpose of the Crusades
Called for by Pope Urban II in 1095
-To drive the Turks from Anatolia (Turkey); Afraid Turks were going to take over Constantinople; trying to protect Christianity
-To oblige the Byzantines
-To "make amends" to the people for the Great Schism, and prove that the Pope in Rome is more powerful than the pope in Avignon
-To gain control of the Holy Land; Jerusalem/Palestine
1st Crusade
-All major objectives are met in Holy Land
-Turks were not eliminated, but were weakened
-The Holy Land of Jerusalem was now under European control, which meant that European culture and customs spread throughout the area
-Trade between Europe & Holy Land flourished
2nd Crusade
- The Turks attempted to regain lost territories, so the Crusaders struck again in 1147, led by King Louis VII of France and King Conrad III of Germany
- Although the two forces met together in Damascus, the Turks had built up their military and were victorious
3rd Crusade
- Well known in literature (Robin Hood)
- Muslims regained control of Jerusalem in 1187
- Richard I of England, Philip II of France, Frederick I of Holy Roman Empire all led separate armies against the Muslims
- King Frederick died and the others began to fight amongst themselves, causing chaos on the side of the Crusaders
- King Richard managed to arrange a truce with Saladin, Muslim leader who had led his troops into Jerusalem in 1187
- The truce gave the Crusaders land along the Palestinian coast, as well as the freedom to enter Jerusalem freely
4th Crusade
- The new generations of the Crusades lost focus; fighting for power and land, not religious reasons
- Western-Greek relations always strained, mutual contempt
- To finance the Crusade, the Crusaders work for the Venetians
- Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204; They just wanted more and more power and land; Christian vs. Christian land
- Weakened Constantinople
- In 1453, when attacked by Turks, the Byzantines let it happen over asking Rome for help
- Constantinople became Istanbul
End of the Crusades
- An increasing lack of interest, perhaps due to numerous military defeats
- An increase in the economy of many European nations ; trading
- Lost support when they began to target other Christian territories, such as Constantinople
Effects of the Crusades
• The fatal weakening of Byzantine Empire, which would fall into the hands of the Turks in the mid-15th century
• Vast increase in cultural horizons for many Europeans
• A vast increase in Mediterranean trade
○ Italian cities became major centers of trade and commerce
○ Introduction of a market economy; based on capitalism - making a profit
• Need to transfer large sums of money for troops and supplies, as well as for trade, led to development of banking techniques
• The rise of romantic literature, based on the adventures of the Crusaders
• A loss of faith in the Church - people began to question their integrity
• Knowledge introduced to Europe from the Middle East; and vice versa
○ Heavy stone masonry, construction of castles and stone churches
• A severe weakening of the noble class and an increase in the power of the lords
○ This would ultimately lead to the end of feudalism and bring back a monarchy
Charlemagne
Carolus Mangus; king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor
-Inherited Frankish Kingdom from father, Pepin the Short
- Strengthened the Carolingian Dynasty
- Goal was to bring order back to Europe & strengthen kingdom
-Began 30 yr military campaign; army, nobles, & members of Christian Church together to create unity
-Re-conquered lands and expanded Frankish influence
-773; was victorious against the Lombards and added Northern Italy to his growing Empire
-Attempted a reconquista of Spain in 778, but was defeated and lost many men, including Count Roland, the guard leader
- Soon after, he pursued the Avars, who he defeated in 7 years and the Saxons, who he defeated towards the end of his rule
-Gave his captors the choice: convert or die. Sound familiar? - Islamics
-Often called "Iron Charles" or "the strong right arm of God"
-Expanded his empire greatly by 800
Charlemagne: Accomplishments
• Took an interest in education, perhaps due to his lack of education - Charlemagne was illiterate; made education mandatory in monasteries
• Although there was a severe attack on a monastery by a group of invaders from the North (Vikings) in 793 that Charlemagne was not able to stop, he remained faithful to the pope and did his best to keep him and other members of the church safe, and in 800 he saved Pope Leo III from a severe attack
• Hesitated to take title of Emperor; so he gained trust
• By 800, he literally had an Empire, a vast empire that included what are now France, Switzerland Belgium, and the Netherlands, plus half of present day Italy and Germany and parts of Austria and Spain
• Vast empire was controlled through a central government
• Restored much of the old Roman Empire and paved the way for the development of modern Europe
• Succeeded by Louis the Pious
• Not a successful ruler and died in 840
Charles Martel
Major Domo from 714-741; father of Pepin the Short
○ In 732, Martel stopped the Muslims from entering France during the Battle of Tours
○ Extended the Frankish kingdom to the south, north, and east
○ Died in 741 and was succeeded by his son, Pepin the Short
Major Domo
"Mayor of the Palace"
○ Officially: in charge of the royal property
○ Reality: Held full political power; was the man behind the king
Pepin the Short
founder/King of the Carolingian Dynasty; father of Charlemagne
-Formed a new relationship between political rulers and the Church - they needed each other:
-Pope legitimized king's power; King protected the Pope and the Church
- re-conquered Italian territory from the Lombards, including the lost Roman territory; the Papal States
John Wycliffe & Jan Hus
Wycliffe
-attacked wealth & immorality of Church
-wanted authority of Church to be replaced by the Bible
-wanted people to read and interpret scripture for themselves - promoted 1st translation of Bible in English
Hus
-Reformer at the University of Prague
- Criticizes Church abuses
-Burned at the stake

- Their questioning of Church authority set the stage for later reformers who would radically alter the history of the Christian Church
Capetian Kings
Capetian Dynasty; among the largest and oldest European royal houses, consisting of the descendants of King Hugh Capet of France in the male line
Pope Urban II
Pope known for initiating the First Crusade
Pope Boniface VIII & Philip IV
-Philip IV wanted to tax the clergy, but the Pope said that could not be done unless he approved it
-Philip refused his decision and sent an army to capture Boniface and let him be trialed in France
-Pope escaped, but died due to shock
-To ensure his position as King of France, he let a frenchman, Clement V become Pope; moved Church HQ to Avignon
Geoffrey Chaucer
wrote Canterbury Tales
Joan of Arc
peasant who claimed to be told by God to lead the french army to victory, and had a few successful victories,she fought in the Hundred Years War and is a patron saint; helps Charles VII become King of France
Louis XI
-advanced development of French Territory
-strengthened the use of a taille, an annual direct tax on land or property
Henry IV & Pope Gregory VII
-Henry IV wanted lay investiture; but Pope Gregory VII did not
-became the Investiture Controversy; big conflict between church & state
-ended when new German king and Pope reached a compromise; Concordat of Worms
Frederick I
of the Holy Roman Empire;
-led an army against the Muslims in the 3rd Crusade
- King Frederick died and the others began to fight amongst themselves, causing chaos on the side of the Crusaders
William the Conqueror
-Duke William of Normandy
-Claimed the English throne after the death of Edward the Confessor
-Defeated the Anglo-Saxon heir, Harold of Wessex, at the Battle of the Hastings
- ruled England from 1066-1087
-made the Doomsday Book
Thomas Becket
-Archbishop of Canterbury
-Refused to allow his clergy to be tried in royal courts
- Becket vs. Henry II
- Knights kill Becket in Canterbury Cathedral
King John
· Taxing nobles for war in France
· Nobles join against the King - 1215
· Threats forced King John to sign the document known as the Magna Carta ("Great Charter")
Henry II
· He allowed vassals to pay their lords a fee, instead of serving military service for them, further increasing royal authority
· He also hired mercenaries to fight for him, instead of counting on the nobles to stay loyal
· Circuits were created under Henry II, or routes, that the traveling judges took, further establishing the legal system
· During the 1100's the 12 member jury developed in the court system
· Trial by jury determined guilt or innocence - no longer by ordeal or combat
· Also sought to try to decrease the power of the Church by trying any of the Church's clergy who had already been tried in the Church's courts
Clovis
-started the Merovingian Dynasty
-conquered and united all of the Frankish Tribes & Northern Gaul
-was Christian
-very successful, but when he died, his sons divided the kingdom; rest of kings were weak and lasted until the dynasty collapsed
Merovingian Dynasty
Clovis was ruler; strong until he died
Monasticism
the life of monks and nuns in monasteries and convents
Secular Clergy
○ Preached the gospel to the church community
○ Could give sacraments
The Bishop
§ Could perform ceremonies in several churches in his area
□ Could perform ceremonies that the priests did not have the authority to control
§ Was in control of a diocese
§ The bishops cathedral was usually located in the center of the major city in the diocese (cathedral = cathedra, meaning throne)
§ The kings or nobles were usually in charge of picking the bishops during the Middle Ages
§ Was under the control of the archbishop
□ Archbishop ruled over a group of several diocese; archdiocese
Parish Priest
○ Lowest official in the church
○ The parish was the smallest division of the church, but very important
○ The priest was responsible for the religious instruction of the people and for the moral and spiritual life of the community
○ Performed a variety of ceremonies
§ Baptism
§ Holy communion
§ Penance
§ Matrimony
§ The anointing of the sick
○ Priests could also perform a very important ceremony
§ The offering of 5 of the 7 sacraments (Bishops performed the sacraments of confirmation and the taking of holy orders)
Church Leadership
○ The archbishop had control over the bishops
○ The pope had control over all members of the church
§ They were advised by the curia; group of advisors to the pope
§ The heads of the curia were the cardinals "the princes of the church" who were essential to the pope
§ From the 12th century on, the cardinals were in charge of electing the pope
St. Benedict
-6th century, young Roman named Benedict was not happy with the way monasteries were run; did not focus, often corrupt
- established his own monastery at Monte Cassino
-put an abbot at the head of the monasteries, to keep things in order
-Most of the time in Benedict's monastery was spent praying
-When not praying, they were doing jobs like cleaning
-Once rules such as the prohibition of marriage were Church wide, it caused many problems, like monks & priests leaving their wives
-monasteries instituted the rules Benedict had implemented in his monastery
-monks became missionaries
Political Role of Church
-religious and political leader of the Papal States
-Church had their own set of laws, called canon law, plus they had their own courts as well
-Another role of the Church was tithing; Church became one of the most wealthy institutions
Church Reformers
-Franciscans in 1209 (St. Francis) and the Dominicans in 1216 - their members became known as friars and they lived and preached amongst the people
-launched the Inquisition
-The Inquisition was the search for the heretics within the Church
• If they confessed, they performed penance
• If not, they were often tortured or burnt at the stake to serve as examples to other who went against the Church
Black Death
• Bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pneumonic plague
• Europe and Mediterranean world were devastated by the plague
• Spread quickly through the crowded cities
• Spread along trade routes - rats, fleas; brought over by Mongol Invaders
• Estimated 25 million dead - 1/3 of total population
• Countryside was safer than cities
• The Church was blamed for the plague because they are there to help them
○ Question effectiveness of Church
Spain
• Spain becomes united under Ferdinand and Isabella in 1479
• Enter the Inquisition (Holy Office - established by the Church)
○ Get all non-Christians and Jews out of Spain; regain territory
• Catholics, they did not accept non-Christians in Spain
• 1492: ordered all Jews to become Christians or leave Spain - later gave the same choice to the Moors
○ Same year Columbus sailed the ocean blue; used Columbus to help rebuild their economy by finding land
• Most Jews and Muslims did leave - therefore Spain lost many of their leaders in industry and trade
Magna Carta
· Protects liberty of the nobles
· Provides limited outline of rights for England's ordinary people
· Means that the King as well as the people must follow the law
· Magna Carta made law the supreme power in England
Simon de Montfort
· As a result of the attempt to limit the power of the royals in England during this time, we also see many revolts spring about after King John's rule
· Simon de Montfort was a powerful lord who became famous for launching a rebellion against King Henry III
· He did this by combing the lords powers with the middle class, who also felt oppressed by the king ( power in numbers )
· In 1265, he asked representatives from the middle class to meet with heads of the Great Council, who represented the nobility and clergy - the middle class reps were four knights from each shire and burgesses (leading citizens) from each of the major towns
· This representative body eventually turned into the English Parliament
○ Later was divided into 2 houses
○ House of Lords (nobles & clergy)
○ House of Commons (knights & burgesses)
Edward I
· Edward I furthered the changes in the government, but he also returned power back to the king
· He was considered to be one of England's greatest monarchs
· He divided the king's court into 3 branches
· These became an important part of Common Law
○ Laws based upon customs and judge's decisions, rather than upon written codes
○ Applied equality to all people - also known as "living law"
○ Adapted to changing times - basis for modern law
Common Law
- Laws based upon customs and judge's decisions, rather than upon written codes
-Applied equality to all people - also known as "living law"
- Adapted to changing times - basis for modern law
Doomsday Book
-count each shire's (village) people, assess landholdings, and measure type and value of property
○ Made it easier to rule
○ Being able to tax
St. Patrick
brought Christianity to Ireland in 432
St. Augustine
spread Christianity to England; became the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Canterbury became the center of the Christian church in England
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