MIddle Ages Quiz

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What is caused Feudalism?

The kings give lands to knights and lords to reward their service and loyalty. The knights and lords rule these smaller territories for the king in exchange for military support. Eventually these territories are passed down by hereditary succession. Feudalism leads to less centralized control of a kingdom.

How does Feudalism work?

Form of government by which political authority was exercised by the landed nobility. Feudalism dominated most of Europe as the land system. Lords and nobility shared power with kings in a symbiotic relationship. The kings needed the financial, land, and military support of the nobles in order to remain king; the nobles needed the kings to grant them title to lands. Although kings were higher in the hierarchy, they could not rule without the nobles.

What did people prefer over money?

In this period of history, wealth=land and silver is not as wealthy as land. The land showed power because you could have crops on it, you could hunt it/fish it. You need land to survive so that means it helps them live because this later leads to the absolute power of the king in Europe. Land is more diverse and you can do more stuff with it than a metal.

How is MIDDLE AGES SOCIETY organized?

Hierarchy of the feudal system = Kings are at the top. Tenants-in-chief are under kings and control manors, but they may control more than one and thus may not always be present. Knights/lords are below and run the manors on a day-to-day basis. Although titles (such as count, baron, duke, etc.) were important, what was more important is the actual ownership of the and. More land equaled more power, regardless of the title the landowner held.

Who were Knights?

Heavy cavalry; preferred military units in feudal Europe.

Who were Peasants?

Peasants are not slaves, but they are required to work the land and remain tied to the land even if the lord of the land changes. If you bought the land the peasants lived on, you also got the Peasants.

What is Manorialism?

Agricultural organization of Europe's landed estates, called manors, which became the major economic and social institution of the Middle Ages. Primary economic system of the Middle Ages.

What is the difference between Manorialism and Feudalism?

Government system: Feudalism

Economic system: Manorialism

What was a investiture?

Vassal gave a pledge of loyalty and an act of homage in a very formalized ceremony. Ceremony was called investiture and vassal was given land to govern and use but not own. Symbolic object, usually a piece of sod, was given during ceremony.

What is a FIEF?

A piece of land granted by the king or lord, to somebody in return for service. A fief could be awarded for a variety of reasons to a variety of people. The person who gives the land is called the lord.

What is a Vassal?

Someone who received the grant of land. IT WAS POSSIBLE TO BE BOTH A LORD AND A VASSAL!

What are the OBLIGATIONS OF THE FUEDAL CONTRACT?

1. The lord was obligated to protect his vassals.

2. Vassals were obligated to protect the lord and his family and give him advice.

What was the LAW OF PRIMOGENITURE?

The feudal contract is passed on to oldest son. Begins in France with Clovis and is transported to England with William the Conqueror.

What was the main function of the Manor?

Chief function of the manor was to produce food. Rent was paid in cheese, firewood, bread, fish, eggs, etc.

Who were freemen?

Minority group under complete control of the lord but with certain limited rights. They were able to leave if they wanted but most did not want to.

Who were serfs?

Majority group who were bound to the land and could not be evicted. They had to follow the lord even if they moved land.

What is the 3 FIELD SYSTEM?

Essentially to cycle fields from planting in two of them, and then letting another rest (leaving it empty). Also, planted two different types of plants to ensure the soil stays good. It added nutrients to the ground. This agricultural method involved dividing land into three parts, rotating between crops and fallow to improve soil fertility and maximize yield.

What is the role of woman?

Continued misogynistic society. They are considered the source of evil. Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden. Women were to be subservient to men, thus domestic violence was common. All women are under the control of some man: husband, father, etc.

What was the point of CASTLES?

Were built for protection, as people are still scared of the Vikings. Not all castles were the same or huge.

Trade in western Europe had declined, why?

1. Muslim control of the western Mediterranean, including the coasts of North Africa and Spain.

2. Viking Raids along the coast.

What did the Crusades increase?

The Crusades increase the connection between cultures. In Europe, results of these connections include increased demand for trade for luxury goods with the Middle East, changes in customs, changes in fashion, and new trends in education

How does banking revive trade?

The revival of banking and giving loans also led to the rebirth of trade. As more banks developed, traders would receive paper when they traded in gold. It made it easier for traders to not get mugged when returning home. It made it safer to trade with distances. It makes it a win for everybody and distributes wealth.

Who was OTTO THE GREAT?

German king who became the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Otto raised a great military and defeated invading Magyars at the famous battle of Lechfeld. He then invaded Italy, which many historians consider an act that shows his love of conquest. Another argument would be that Otto’s southern expansion was strictly defensive as the area of Lombardy lacked a strong leader and was thus open to any German prince who would attempt to take it. As a conqueror of Italy, Otto fused the German and Italian territories together as the Holy Roman Empire and was crowned by the Pope.

Who was OTTO III?

Only 3 years old when he became king! Devout German king who was able to spread the primacy of the Holy Roman Empire. Otto then proceeded to make Rome his official residence and the administrative center of the empire. He instituted elaborate Byzantine court ceremonies and reviving ancient Roman customs, he assumed the titles “the servant of Jesus Christ,” “the servant of the apostles,” and “emperor of the world” and saw himself as the leader of world Christianity. Spread German influence and Christianity to places such as Poland, Bohemia, Hungary, by making local leader’s vassals under the dominion of Otto III and future Germany kings.

Who is HENRY III?

Supporter of the Cluniac reforms, he welcomed representatives of the reform movement and aided them in their efforts to reform German monasteries. PROBLEM = The Cluny reforms called for separation of church and state. The governing policy of Henry III and his HRE predecessors was to treat German church officials as government officials and to expect their obedience and loyalty. Henry III supported the Cluny reforms but also laid the groundwork for serious future conflict between the church and state.

Who is HENRY IV?

Became king as a child and the nobility took advantage of his youth, seizing more power. Henry was kidnapped as a child, by a powerful church official and almost drowned trying to escape! As an adult, Henry IV wanted to regain power for the kingship. Henry IV used his influence on the Church as a weapon against his opponents (the lords and nobility), turning bishops and clergy against them. Henry IV comes into conflict with the ne Pope Gregory VII, who was German. Gregory VII believed in the concept that the king was God’s vice-regent appointed to rule over man and thus directly responsible to God. The king must maintain order and see that the commands of the church were obeyed, and if he didn’t, he could be removed. Gregory VII reinforced the Cluny reforms by excommunicating Henry IV for interfering in Church affairs. This led to the famous “penance of Canossa”, when Henry IV stood outside the Pope’s palace for 3 days in the snow! In turn, German bishops controlled by Henry IV declare the Gregory VII illegitimate. This split signals the beginning of ongoing civil wars and conflicts that undermine the power of the German monarchy.

Who is HENRY V?

He gets the power of the Roman emperor because he throws his dad into jail. He promises all the nobles and lords that they will get their power back from Henry the IV.

Concordat of Worms which was trying to solve the Lay investitures.

Concordat of Worms (1122): An agreement between Pope Calixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V on September 23, 1122, that found a resolution to the Investiture Controversy. They agreed that Church clergy will elect bishops freely, but in the physical view of the emperor. Bishops will receive the symbolic possessions of their office (hats, robes, staff, etc.) from other Church officials; Bishops receive feudal (land) possession directly from the emperor. In this way, the powers and rewards of becoming bishop are kept in separate spheres (a separation of church and state). Supposed to solve the problem of who appoints the bishops. They are a huge position in church and government.

What were Champagne fairs?

The Champagne fairs were an annual cycle of trade fairs which flourished in different towns of the county of Champagne in northeastern France in the 12th and 13th centuries, originating in local agricultural and stock fairs. Each fair lasted about 2 to 3 weeks. Fairs of this time were specially designated occasions for trade in goods not otherwise easily acquired (such as imported goods).

How did the lords make a profit?

A. Charging rent for booth.

B. Sales tax on goods sold.

C. Penalties for offense vs. fair.

What did the fairs give rise to?

The fairs gave rise to the use of money. The preferable coinage in Europe was gold. The fairs at Champagne were so successful that soon all nobles wanted one. The importance of the fair declined as more trade routes opened throughout Europe.

What emerges from trade fairs and what did the Church think?

Banking is an example of a new service that emerges, specifically the practice of lending money in return for interest (as in a loan). The Church considered this practice “usury” – a sin. Jewish bankers did not have the religious prohibition against usury, thus dominated banking in this era. During the time of the Crusades, banking and loans became common.

What were burghers?

Settlements were called burghers. Burghers = townspeople. “Burgh” is a Saxon word meaning “fortified settlement” and those who live in Burghs are Burghers.

What freedoms did craftsmen and merchants have?

The freedoms included the following:

A. Wanted to be freemen who owned property.

B. Wanted to be able to pay rent with money.

C. Protection against arbitrary seizure of property.

What is a Guild?

Guild essentially created a monopoly for that particular item in that town. Guilds are medieval trade associations (somewhat like today’s unions). The craftsmen of a particular trade (like tanners or blacksmiths, for example) band together in guilds to protect their interests against outsiders and competitors.

The craft guilds directed almost every aspect of an items production:

A. Standards of quality.

B. Specific methods of production.

C. Fixed the prices of goods.

D. Fixed number of people who could enter the trade.

E. Guilds also had social responsibilities such as: caring for widows and orphans of their members.

What is Scholasticism?

the system of theology and philosophy taught in medieval European universities, based on Aristotelian logic and the writings of the early Church Fathers and having a strong emphasis on tradition and dogma. Primary goal was to reconcile faith and reason to demonstrate that what was accepted on faith was in harmony with what could be learned by reason.

Who is St Thomas Aquinas?

St Thomas Aquinas is an example of the scholasticism movement. Aquinas writes Summa Theologica (“Summation of Theology”), an attempt to prove the existence of God using logic and theology.

Who was Roger Bacon?

He was an English philosopher who called for the reform of theological study, the study of foreign languages, and the integration of scientific study to the normal university curriculum. He placed considerable emphasis on empiricism and has been presented as one of the earliest advocates of the modern scientific method in the West, though later studies have emphasized his reliance on occult and alchemical traditions. He was intimately acquainted with Aristotelian logic and philosophy, mathematics, and optics, much of it via the Arab world. Thus, he served as a precursor for the reconciliation of science and religion through his call for academic development and reform of the Church in the study of scripture and science.

What did Geoffrey Chaucer write?

Geoffrey Chaucer who wrote the Canterbury Tales an ambitious collection of stories in a range of poetic (and in one case, prose) forms. It imagines a group of 31 pilgrims who meet while travelling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. To pass the time, they decide to tell two tales to the assembled company on the journey there and the journey home. This extraordinary work, which presents a portrait of late medieval Britain with humor and tragedy, was left unfinished when Chaucer died in 1400.

What is HELOISE & ABELARD?

One example of home tutoring gone wrong is Abelard (teacher) and Heloise (student). Abelard is a University of Paris teacher with aspirations in the clergy. However, he engages in an affair with his student, Heloise, who ends up pregnant.

What important events in a persons life time were marked by the Church?

1. BIRTH

2. MARRIAGE

3. DEATH

What were Monasteries a refugee for?

1. UNMARRIED DAUGHTERS,

2. WIDOWS,

3. YOUNGEST SON WITHOUT AN INHERITANCE.

The wealthy gave large amounts of money to the church to:

1.SAFEGUARD THEIR SOULS.

2.SAFEGUARD THEIR RELATIVES SOULS.

What became a significant issue with the church?

The great wealth of the church becomes a significant issue!

What is LAY INVESTITURE?

During this time, the clergy is turning into feudal nobility as well. Clergy are rewarded for their cooperation with kings; in exchange, kings appoint some bishops (rather than bishops being appointed by other clergy). This is lay investiture.

What problem was created with LAY INVESTITURE?

The problem that was created was that in many cases the monastery had 2 leaders:

1. Nobles choice (lay investiture) & 2. The church’s choice

Why did Church officials cooperate with noblemen?

1. DID NOT WISH TO ANGER THE NOBLES OR LORDS WHO PROTECTED THEM

2. MANY HAD LITTLE RELIGIOUS FEELING

What are CLUNY reforms?

Too many non religious people were getting into church affairs. Kings and nobles would swoop into the church and put their own people into the position of abbot when they die. The nobles and kings would then be able to control the wealth. The Church became more secular/government than religious. The reforms were to stop this. Essentially splits the church and the state apart.

What were the two main outcomes of the CLUNY reforms?

1. MONKS SPENDING MORE TIME ON CHURCH WORK

2. HAVING ONLY 1 ABBOTT AS THE HEAD OF THE MONASTERY

What is the Great Schism?

A “schism” or disagreement develops in the Church. Some clergy challenge the authority of the Pope over the Cluny reforms. Some kings want to continue appointing Church officials. The impact of the Great Schism was the final split between the Orthodox Church in the east and the Roman Catholic Church in the west.

Who was Harold Godwinson?

Harold made a pledge to William of Normandy, who saved him from ransom, that if there was any opportunity, he would take the throne. He forgot the pledge and William takes an army to gain the throne. He lost the battle against William the conqueror.

Who was William the Conquerer?

William the Conqueror defeated Harold in England, being 1 of the 2 successful raids of England ever. He brings new institutional developments. The English form of feudalism is slightly different in that feudal lords could not gain the same kind of power; only collectively could feudal lords challenge the king’s authority.

What is the Domesday Book?

William ordered a census of each county under his control so that he knew how much he could tax his subjects. The census recorded the holdings and possessions of each person in the Domesday Book. William died before completion, but was completed by his successor, his son William II, known as Rufus! The project indicates a shift towards more direct control of his subjects by the king.

Who is Henry the 1st?

Becomes king when his unpopular older brother is “accidently” killed while hunting. Henry I continued many of his brothers unpopular policies but was a far more effective ruler and administrator. Additional institutional ideas emerge from Henry I, who created the position of exchequer, an office that kept track of every piece of revenue in the royal coffers. Europe now has accountants!

What is the PLANTAGENET DYNASTY?

Starts with Henry II. The Plantagenet dynasty ruled England for over three hundred years, from 1154 -1485. They were a remarkable family, providing England with fourteen of its kings. The surname Plantagenet, which was to become one of the most famous in England, seems to have derived from a nickname adopted by Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, the father of Henry II and refers to his habit of wearing a sprig of broom or planta genista in his helmet. This was done through marrying two houses that were powerful. William the Conqueror marries the house of Anjou and they rule/control southern France and gain more land the French kings

Who is HENRY II?

In theory, common law is applied equally throughout the kingdom. Henry II is considered one of England’s greatest kings due to his contribution of JUDICIAL REFORMS.

1. EXTENDED AUTHORITY OF ROYAL COURTS.

2. COMMON LAW CREATED.

3. USE OF 12 MEN JURIES.

What is the Thomas Becket Scandal?

Thomas Becket: King Henry II appointed his close friend Thomas Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury (the highest religious office in England) in hopes that the king could control the Church. Once in office, however, Becket proved a supporter of Church authority. Several of Henry II’s supporters murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral, causing Henry II great embarrassment, a formal public apology, and ending any chance Henry had of ever influencing Church affairs. The Pope made Becket a saint.

Who is KING JOHN?

John I (LACKLAND, SOFTSWORD) The younger brother of Richard the Lionheart, is considered the worst king in English history. He was defeated in his 3 major conflicts:

1. War with France: WAR WITH KING PHILIP OF FRANCE. BY 1214, HAD LOST MOST OF ENGLANDS LAND IN FRANCE.

2. Conflict with the Pope: A. DISPUTED ELECTION OF NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.

B. POPE INNOCENT III AUTHORZED PHILIP TO INVADE ENGLAND AND DESPOSE JOHN.

C. JOHN GIVES IN AND RECOGNIZES ENGLAND AND IRELAND AS FIEFS TO

THE POPE.

3. Magna Carta: John was forced to sign by the English Barons. (1215). It created 3 aspects of English law:

1. Taxation by consent.

2. Fair trial.

3. Representative government.

What was the MAGNA CARTA?

The Magna Carta represents additional institutional changes. English King John wanted to protect his subjects from the rule of feudal lords, but the lords opposed King John’s power. The lords banded together to force King John to sign the Magna Carta, a document limiting the king’s authority and ability to tax), and granting special rights to the lords. Many basic rights recognized by today’s governments originate in the Magna Carta, including the right to a jury by your peers if accused of a crime. Purpose is to limit the power of the king, specifically taxation. These rights were originally only for the lords/nobility, not commoners – many years later these rights trickle down to common people. King John had no intention of honoring the Magna Carta and had it declared void by the Pope!

Who was Edward I?

Struggled to raise funds during his reign as a result of numerous military expeditions including a crusade, wars with France, Wales, and Scotland. He had to get taxes from somewhere because the nobles did not want to pay the taxes(Taxing had to go through the nobles). He tried to tax the Church in order to fund an invasion of Scotland, an idea that almost excommunicated him. Edward created the parliament in England. The Parliament served as a body to approve or disapprove royal requests for taxes. It is still around today.

Who was Hugh Capet?

First ruler of the Capetians. Was originally a feudal lord in France with large land holdings. In order to become recognized as king, he gave much of his lands to other lords in order to gain recognition as king. In surrendering his lands for the kingship, he also surrendered much of his personal power. Hugh Capet’s story shows the problems in the hierarchy system; the kings need the lords and the lords need the kings. Hugh Capet crossed up the nobility by immediately naming his son as co-ruler, making the crown hereditary based on primogeniture.

Who was PHILIP II AUGUSTUS?

1. Won the Battle Of Bovines

2. Created baillies which were the French equivalent of the English position of sheriff, an office that helped administer local territories of the kingdom.

3. He was also responsible for the ALBIGENSIAN CRUSADE. The Albigensians (also called Cathars) lived in the French region of Toulouse where they practiced a heretical form of Christianity (one that did not meet with official Church orthodoxy). Pope Innocent III and King Philip II Augustus target the Albigensians/Cathars for persecution, putting the Dominicans (a Catholic religious order) in charge of spreading the correct Church teachings and weeding out heresy. The campaign against the Albigensians/Cathars is the precursor to a larger persecution of heretics, “The Inquisition.”

4. He began the building of the Louvre (famous art museum).

5. He also began the building of the University of Paris

What happened during the BATTLE OF BOUVINES?

The Battle of Bouvines, fought on 27 July 1214, was one of the most influential battles in European history, directing the fate of the kingdom of France, the Holy Roman Empire and the Angevin dominions. In England, it was to lead to Magna Carta. Since 1204, when Philip Augustus had won Normandy from King John, the English king had worked relentlessly to raise the funds needed to reverse his losses. His demands pushed his subjects to the brink of rebellion. Defeat at Bouvines sealed King Philip’s hold on Normandy and feulled opposition to John’s rule in England. In Sir James Holt’s words, ‘the road from Bouvines to Runnymede was direct, short, and unavoidable.’

Who is LOUIS IX “ST. LOUIS”?

Considered most chivalrous monarch of his age, he gained fame for judicial reform to secure justice for rich and poor. He was the 1st French king to issue laws for the whole country based solely on his authority. Louis IX detested feudal warfare and eventually outlawed all private wars. He died while on the 8th Crusade of dysentery/typhus.

Who is PHILIP IV “THE FAIR”?

In France, Philip IV did relatively the same thing as Edward I did in forming the Parliament – Philip formed the Estates General to gather support for his policies. Philip needed money to fight a war, so he called Estates General seeking national support in a struggle against the church over taxation of the clergy. It was the first time the Estates General had been called.

How was France’s representative body organized?

Estates General = France’s representative body made up of the 3 social classes:

1st Estate = clergy

2nd Estate = nobility

3rd Estate = peasants/ commoners

What two solutions did Philip IV establish to solve financial problems.

Philip IV suffered from financial issues throughout his reign. He established 2 solutions for his financial problems:

1. Arrested Jews, took their property, and drove them out of France. (usury)

2. Persecuted and destroyed the Knights Templar claiming their treasury in 1312.