WAP Medieval / Western Europe (1200–1450)Overview

What was the impact of the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE?

It led to political and social fragmentation, loss of unity, decline in cities and trade, and the rise of small regional monarchies.

What key theme characterized the transition in Western Europe from 1200 to 1450?

The transition from chaos to centralized monarchies through feudalism, the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, the Crusades, and wars like the Hundred Years' War.

What were the main external threats to Western Europe during the early medieval period?

Invasions by Muslims, Magyars, Vikings, and Germanic warriors.

How did the Roman Catholic Church influence emerging kingdoms after the fall of Rome?

It served as a unifying institution with significant authority, providing a legal structure through canon law and influencing the development of legal systems.

What is feudalism?

A decentralized system of land for military service that developed to maintain order without a Roman-style bureaucracy.

Describe the structure of the feudal pyramid.

King at the top, followed by lords/vassals who received fiefs in exchange for loyalty, knights who provided military service, and serfs who were tied to the land.

What was manorialism?

An economic system where manors were self-sufficient estates producing all necessary goods, prevalent during the early Middle Ages.

Who was Charlemagne and what was his significance?

A Frankish King who expanded power in modern-day Germany, France, and northern Italy, crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE, leveraging feudalism to govern.

What was the Magna Carta and why is it significant?

A document signed in 1215 limiting royal power by requiring lords' approval for taxes and prohibiting arbitrary arrests, influencing later legal traditions.

What initiated the Crusades and what were their main goals?

Initiated by the Pope to reclaim Jerusalem from the Seljuk Turks and aid the Byzantine Empire, aiming to reunite Christendom and bolster papal authority.

What were the key outcomes of the Crusades?

Increased trade, emergence of banking, cultural diffusion of Islamic knowledge, and reduced noble power, increasing royal authority.

What was the significance of the Hundred Years' War?

It reduced noble power, introduced new technologies like the longbow and cannon, and fostered early nationalism between England and France.

What agricultural innovations emerged during this period?

The three-field system and moldboard plow, which improved farming efficiency and supported population growth.

How did Viking settlements affect royal authority in Western Europe?

Viking settlements reduced invasions, allowing kings to use knights to mediate disputes and increase royal influence.

What role did Eleanor of Aquitaine play in the feudal system?

She owned more land than the French king and was married to both the French and English kings, demonstrating the decentralized power of lords.

What was the impact of the Crusades on European literacy?

Increased access to Islamic knowledge and goods led to greater literacy among elites, although many kings remained illiterate.

What was the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and feudalism?

The Church provided legitimacy to feudal lords and influenced legal systems, reinforcing the power dynamics of feudalism.

What were the long-term effects of the Magna Carta?

It laid the foundation for the development of constitutional law and influenced later documents like the English Bill of Rights.

What were the cultural impacts of the Crusades?

They facilitated cultural diffusion, bringing Islamic learning and luxury goods into Europe, which influenced European culture.

How did the introduction of the longbow change warfare during the Hundred Years' War?

It allowed common soldiers to defeat armored knights, changing the dynamics of battlefield engagements.

What was the significance of the Norman Conquest in 1066?

William the Conqueror centralized power in England, spreading feudalism and altering the political landscape.

What was the role of knights in the feudal system?

Knights provided military service to lords in exchange for land or compensation, playing a crucial role in local governance and protection.

What was the significance of the three-field system?

It improved soil fertility and agricultural yields, supporting population growth and rural stability.

How did the fall of Rome lead to the rise of small monarchies?

The loss of political unity and external invasions led to the fragmentation of power into small regional monarchies reliant on personal loyalty.