Medieval Europe: Feudal System, Church, and Crusades Overview

What is feudalism?

A set of legal and military customs that organized medieval European society, where a lord granted a fief to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and support.

What is a fief?

A plot of land granted to a vassal by a lord in return for the vassal's loyal support.

What does social hierarchy refer to in a feudal society?

The organization of society where individuals and groups are arranged based on their power and wealth.

What were the mutual obligations in a feudal system?

Lords provided protection and land, while vassals offered loyalty and support.

Who sat at the top of the social hierarchy in medieval Europe?

The king.

What percentage of land did the king typically keep for himself?

About 25 percent.

What role did nobles play in medieval society?

Nobles lived in large manors on land granted by the king and relied on peasants and serfs for labor and food.

How powerful was the Church in medieval Europe?

The Church was extremely powerful, owning about 75 percent of all land in England and not paying taxes.

What was the primary role of knights in medieval society?

Knights were elite warriors who defended territories, enforced law, and fought in wars for their lords.

What was the training process for a knight?

Boys began as pages at age 7, then became squires at age 14, and could be knighted around age 21 after training in various skills.

What is chivalry?

A code of conduct for knights emphasizing loyalty, bravery, protection of the weak, and courtesy toward women.

What defensive features did castles have?

Castles had battlements, barbicans, keeps, loopholes, and were often built on natural defenses like hills.

How did castles serve offensively during battles?

Knights could launch attacks from castles, using elevated positions to defend and counterattack.

Why did Christianity become prevalent in medieval Europe?

Christianity provided a shared religion for emerging nations after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, facilitating cooperation between local rulers and the Church.

How was the medieval Church organized?

The Church had a strict hierarchy from Pope down to laypeople, with local rulers often controlling local priests and bishops.

What changes occurred in the Church's power during the 11th century?

Popes gained significant power, diminishing local monarchs' control and replacing loyal priests with clergy loyal to the Pope.

How did ordinary people interact with the Church?

The Church controlled many aspects of life, with local priests conducting important community events and teachings primarily in Latin.

What was the role of the local church in medieval communities?

The local church served as the focal point for community life, hosting events such as christenings, marriages, and weekly sermons.

What was the significance of the Carolingian kings in relation to the Church?

The Carolingian kings, like Pippin III and Charlemagne, worked closely with the Church to increase their power and establish the Papal States.

What was the Code of Chivalry?

A set of ideals that knights were expected to uphold, including loyalty, bravery, and protection of the weak.

What were the living conditions of peasants and serfs in medieval society?

Peasants and serfs made up 90% of the population, performing hard labor with little reward, and their lives were often short and difficult.

What was the role of bishops in the medieval Church?

Bishops controlled land and people, could raise troops for the king, and were often appointed by local kings.

What was the purpose of the keep in a castle?

The keep was the strongest part of the castle, serving as the last refuge during an attack.

What are loopholes in castle architecture?

Narrow vertical openings in walls that allowed defenders to shoot arrows while remaining protected.

What was the relationship between the Church and local rulers after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

Local rulers often controlled the Church, promoting bishops loyal to them, which allowed them to maintain power over religious matters.

What was the consequence of excommunication by the Church?

Excommunication prevented individuals from entering heaven and led to being shunned by the local community.

How much land did the Church own by the end of the medieval period?

The Church owned roughly one-third of all land in Europe.

What percentage of land in England was owned by the Church and nobility?

In England, the Church and nobility owned 75% of the land.

What was the role of bishops in relation to the Church and local communities?

Bishops were often landlords, which meant people had to obey them regardless of their religion.

What was the significance of Pope Urban II's call for a crusade in 1095?

It mobilized tens of thousands of people to travel to the Holy Land in response to the threat from the Seljuk Turks.

What was the primary motivation for many people to join the First Crusade?

The promise of forgiveness of sins and immediate entry into heaven for those who died on the journey.

What was the Council of Clermont?

A meeting in 1095 where Pope Urban II called for a crusade against the Seljuk Turks, attended by churchmen, nobles, and knights.

What was one of the potential motives behind Pope Urban II's call for the crusade?

To support Eastern Orthodox Christians and possibly reunite Christianity after the Great Schism.

What were some less holy reasons for joining the First Crusade?

The lure of pillage, conquest, and the possibility of gaining land.

What were the immediate consequences of the Crusades politically?

The Crusades increased the role and prestige of the Catholic Church in secular affairs.

How did the Crusades affect cultural relations between different religious groups?

They intensified xenophobia and intolerance, deepening distrust and hostility between Christians and Muslims.

What were the three types of consequences discussed regarding the Crusades?

Political, economic and social, and cultural consequences.

What was the Church's stance on warfare during the Crusades?

The Church claimed that the war was justified as it was about defending Christianity.

What was the impact of the Crusades on European societies?

They led to heightened persecution and discrimination against Jews, heretics, and pagans.

Who was Urban II before becoming Pope?

He was born Otho in 1035 to a wealthy family in Clermont, France, and entered the Church in 1050.

What did Pope Urban II promise to crusaders who died on the journey?

He promised that they would have their sins forgiven and enter heaven.

What was the significance of Jerusalem during the Crusades?

Jerusalem was a crucial city in the Holy Land, controlled by Muslims, and its capture was seen as a demonstration of Christian power.

What was the Church's influence on the nobility during the Crusades?

The Church successfully mobilized European nobility and monarchs for war, asserting its authority.

What were the harsh realities faced by crusaders during the First Crusade?

Many faced starvation and dehydration, which overshadowed the prospect of loot.

What was the historical context of the First Crusade?

It was launched in response to the invasion of Anatolia by the Seljuk Turks and the request for help from the Byzantine Empire.

What was the relationship between the Church and education during the medieval period?

The Church educated people in customs and traditions, which were believed to grant salvation.

What was the role of tithes in the Church's wealth?

The Church collected tithes, which were typically 10% of earnings, often paid in grain.

What was the long-term cultural impact of the Crusades?

They fostered a legacy of cultural and religious intolerance that persisted in European societies.

What groups faced persecution and discrimination during the Crusades?

Jews, heretics, and pagans.

What narrative did the Crusades foster?

An 'us versus them' narrative that contributed to cultural and religious intolerance.

What luxury goods were introduced to Europe as a result of the Crusades?

Spices, lemons, apricots, sugar, silk, and cotton.

How did the Crusades impact international trade?

They significantly increased international trade, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and technology.

What was the cause of the Black Death?

The bacteria Yersinia pestis.

What earlier pandemic is associated with Yersinia pestis?

The Plague of Justinian in the 6th century CE.

Where is the origin of the Black Death believed to be?

Around Lake Issyk Kul in northern Kyrgyzstan, in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.

How did the Black Death first reach Europe?

Through the siege of Caffa in Crimea, where Mongol soldiers catapulted infected bodies into the city.

What was the reaction of the people in Europe to the Black Death?

Many sought religious salvation, blamed Jewish people, or turned to flagellant movements.

What were flagellants known for during the Black Death?

They were radical Christians who whipped themselves, believing it would gain God's forgiveness.

What was a significant short-term effect of the Black Death on society?

Depopulation, with up to 50 million people estimated to have died in Europe.

How long did it take for Europe's population to return to pre-plague levels?

More than 150 years.

What impact did the Black Death have on the Church?

It weakened the Church's position as many questioned its power and influence after its failure to prevent the plague.

What long-term effect did the Black Death have on feudalism?

It weakened feudalism as skilled laborers became scarce and could demand higher wages.

What law was introduced in England in response to labor shortages after the Black Death?

The Statute of Labourers in 1351, which made it illegal to increase wages.

What was one positive outcome of the Black Death?

The foundations of the Renaissance, as wealthy survivors invested in art and literature.

What did the term 'Renaissance' mean?

Rebirth, referring to the cultural revival following the Black Death.

What was a common belief about the cause of the Black Death among medieval people?

Many believed it was a punishment from God for their sins.

What was the public health response to the Black Death?

Increased focus on clinical medicine, autopsies, and the establishment of local health boards.

What was the significance of the Silk Road in the spread of the Black Death?

It facilitated the movement of the plague from Central Asia to Europe.

What were some supernatural explanations for the Black Death?

Beliefs included evil planetary alignments and divine punishment.

What did the Black Death reveal about medieval medicine?

The failure of medieval medicine led to changes in medical practices and increased knowledge of anatomy.

What was the impact of the Black Death on towns during the plague?

Towns became dirtier with rubbish and raw sewage, and many houses were abandoned.

How did the Black Death affect the social status of survivors?

Survivors with trade skills were highly valued and could demand higher wages, increasing their social status.