Middle Ages

Shift of power

Monarchs centralized power

Monarchs strengthened the ties with people of towns for support

Beginning of England

The Anglo-Saxons conquered Britain, becoming England

King Edward

Died without an heir, counsel of nobles chose Harold (brother in law) to rule

William of Normandy

Raised an army and had pope support to attack Harold

Became William the Conquerer and ruled England, required all vassals to swear direct allegiance to him

Henry II

Created a jury system, sent out traveling justices

Magna Carta

Nobles were tired of exaggerated taxes from Nobles and forced King John to sign

No taxation without reason, king must obey laws

Parliament

House of Commons

House of Lords - checks and balances of the king

Hugh Capet

Started first dynasty in France, increased royal power

Phillip Augustus

Most powerful ruler in Europe, provided loyal middle class citizens with government positions

Royal Power vs Church

Rulers wanted to tax clergy but popes refused, both wanted ultimate power over the other

Holy Roman Empire

Modern Germany, Europe was breaking into feudal kingdoms, emperors were chosen by popes

Henry IV vs Gregory VII

Henry IV was emperor of Germany, Pope Gregory banned lay investiture (only he could anoint bishops) to be the independent ruler

Henry IV disagreed and the feud started brewing, leading to Gregory excommunicating Henry and his towns. Gregory faced revolts and was forced to make an agreement.

Pope Innocent III

Church reached highest power, aided by Philip II in claim to supremacy over all rulers, battled South France

The Crusades

Major battles between Christians, Jews, and Muslims over the holy land of Jerusalem. Pope Urban II called the crusade

Christians joined to fight for faith (free ticket to Heaven), turned out unsuccessful as the Muslims claimed the majority of holy land

Market Economy

Trade increased, people invested in land (resources), labor (manufacturing), shipbuilding and voyages

Social Changes

Cities and towns began to rise, a middle class was established, free from serfdom and manor work

Short Term Effects of Crusades

Population growth, end of feudalism, centralized monarchies, growth of Italian trading centers

Long term Effects of the Crusades

Renaissance, age of exploration, scientific revolution, Western European colonies

The Reconquista

The Spanish crusade to remove Muslims from the once Muslim dominated Spain, leading to the persecution of Muslims and Jews

Universities

Universities emerged as education grew (the church and government called for educated people)

University life was rough (early mornings, long days, small meals, difficult classes)

Women were not allowed to learn at universities, some learned at convents

Black Death

Started in china, spread through fleas on rats that infested trading ships. 1/3 of Europeans died. Nobody knew how to cure or prevent the disease. Many would flee their towns and leave family members behind who were infected.

Some blamed Jews, leading to mass persecution

Economic Decline

Prices rose as resources limited, farm and industrial production declined as labor decreased. Peasants revolted.

The Church Splits

Pope Clement V moved the Church court to southern France. The people of Italy felt unheard, so they elected their own pope. For years, 2 or even 3 popes would have power at the same time, leading to another Great Schism in the church.

The Hundred Years War

England and France were both struggling from the Black Death, and were determined to gain the land they felt they deserved. England was easily winning until France gained confidence with the help of Joan of Arc (killed by England, igniting French pride) neither side gained, French won by pushing England out

Results of Hundred Years War

Longbow (England) and cannons (France) led to the end of armored knights. Monarchs began to hire more and more soldiers to fight for them. Trade in Italy began to decline.