Europe c. 1200-1450

Byzantine Empire Characteristics

Eastern Roman Empire, Constantinople strategy and fortification, Orthodox Christianity and Greco-Roman Culture, Justinian Code

Byzantine Empire Decline

• Defeated by Ottoman Empire in 1453 by gaining control of Constantinople.

• Schism 1054 between Eastern and Western Church → Isolation from West.

• Seljuk Turks: Battle of Manzikert 1071, Lost Control of Most of Asia Minor, led to the crusades

Feudalism

nobility held lands granted from the crown for military

Vassals

signed contracts with peasants: small amounts of land for protection

Economic Developments

1200’s Mongols stabilize silk road, Marco Polo popularized Eastern stuff, commercial capitalism upbringings, long distance trade

Development of France

Complex government: Estates General (Body of estates who advised the monarchy King)

Development of Norman England

Normans were descendants of vikings in NW France, Normans Invaded England

Norman Invasion social impacts

Anglo Saxon elites lost power and fused with Norman culture → English, feudalism spread, resistance among nobles to Normans

Magna Carta

1215, Forced Norman King John to recognize property and legal rights (Property protection & jury trial)

Common Law

laws based on past rulings/precedents

Parliament

legislative body (Lords, Church, Elites), required King to gain parliamentary permission on various issues

Hundred Years War 1337-1453

Fought between rival monarchs in England and France, England lost territory in France and Europe, Each side had unity (Aligning with English or French, common language), spread of gunpowder weapons

Holy Roman Empire (Germany)

Coronation of Charles the Great as the Holy Roman Emperor, Decentralized network of kingdoms, church has strong influence on political power

Role of Church

Strong influence on political power

Culture

profit seeking private ownership, merchants, artisans, and craftsman

Women

Primary role: child bearing, covenant/nun (Avenues) beyond marriage, could work outside home but denied access in most professions, could inherit property, had limited education

Renaissance

Scholasticism (Thomas Aquinas, Reason and logic, Greek), Chaucer (Canterbury Tales, father of English Lit.), Dante (Divine Comedy, poem of authors journey to salvation)

Bubonic plague characteristics

Black Death, biggest natural disaster in Euro history, fleas/rats spread, Mongolia beginnings, trade routes spread

Spread of Bubonic Plague

Poor sanitation, narrow streats, fleas,hygiene, overcrowded cities