Medieval Europe(500-1500 CE)

Catholic Church

Christians in the Roman empire

  • After Christianity was found in the first century AD they faced persecution from the roman empire and were treated as criminals.

  • in 313 AD, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting all citizens permission to worship whatever they wanted, including Christians.

  • Lead to Christianity becoming the official of the Roman Empire in 380CE

Christianty in Medieval Europe

  • After the fall of the Roman Empire the Catholic Church became a dominant force in Medieval Europe, shaping how people interacted with their faith, nobles and monarch.

Medieval Christians and the Church

  • People were legally required to pay 10% of their income to the church called a “Tithe”

  • People could buy “Indulgences” from priests to clear themselves of sin

  • Believed the church was all knowing and should not be challenged, without the church they would all go to hell

  • “The divine right of kings” stated only the Pope could crown a monarch

Church Hierachy


Feudal System

Social Hiearchy

  • The social hiearchy showing the power and wealth of each social class in Medieval Europe

  • Peasants was at the bottom, used to make food and work for knights in return for protection from knights.

  • Knights would fight for local lords and were given land as payment.The land would be farmed by peasants to produce income for the knight.

  • Nobles received land from king in, used to buy soldiers, would also rent out land to peasants in return for rent.They were required to provide the king with armies and horses.

  • The king owned all the land and would trade them to nobles and clergy for soldiers and taxes.

Influence of the church

  • Clergy(religious leaders) were rich enough to be nobles

  • Income came from Tithe, there did not have to take 10% taken out of their income for Tithe.

  • The king relied on the church for power due to the divine right of the king


Battle of Hastings

Reason

  • The king of England, Edward the confessor died on January 5 1066 without a heir, causing a competition for the crown.

King candidates

  • Edgar the Atheling, Edwards newphew and closest relative but was only 14 and often ill.

  • Harold Godwinson, Born in England and won many battles for the king, favoured by the people and Kings council.

  • William Duke of Normany, distant cousin of Edward from France, stated Edward promised William could be king.

  • Harald Hardrada, King of norway, was greedy and wanted more power, known to be fierce and cruel.

Conquest

  • Harold Godwinson is crowned king a day after Edwards death

  • Harald and William plan to invade for the throne

  • Harald arrive at the North English coast

  • Harald defeats an army led by Earl of Merica and Earl of Northumbria

  • Harold marches his army 320km north to fight Harald

  • They fight at Stamford bridge and Harald loses

  • William arives at Pevensey on the Sussex coast

  • Harold marches 432km south to face William

  • Harold loses to William due to the exhausting battle faced a couple week prior.

  • William was crowned king, altering England due to his Norman French background.


Women

Noble women

  • Noble women were married off as early as 12 for political power and wealth for the family.

  • Were expected to produce a male heir to carry on the line of her husband

  • 1/5 women died during childbirth due to the poor medical care in medieval times

  • Could not own any property except as a widow

Peasant Women

  • Weren’t married off as young as noble women as they were used for labour.

  • Had the same farm duties as men but were also expected to do household chores


Warfare

Castles

Purpose

  • Were built to protect Monarchs or Lord’s lands

  • If conquered/taken by enemy, would be used to control the land

  • Some were built around cities and towns for protections

Building a castle

  • Made from timber

  • Built on a high mount called a Motte, surronded by a ditch, if it was near a river the ditch would be filled with water to create a Moat.

  • The innermost tower was called a Keep

  • The walls around the castle was called Palisades

  • The inner courtyard was called Bailey

Defending a castle

  • Concentric castle walls were more walls inside walls that would trap attackers between the two walls, the inner wall was usually higher than the outer wall so archers could attack.

  • Drawbridges could be lifted above the moat, blocking access to the gate.


Combat

Mounted knights

  • Knights were heavily armored warriors on horsebacks meant to destroy foot soldiers, they used heavy iron weapons


Battles

  • Were fought hand to hand

  • Battled in tightly grouped formations, one side would push against the other.

  • It was the job of mounted knights to charge into the formations and try to break them up.

  • Those who died did not get cemeteries or pensions for family, nor were there entitlement for disabled soldiers


The Crusades

Context

  • Jerusalem, is one of the holiest citys in Christianity, Judasim and Islam.

  • Therefore, they all wanted to control Jerusalem for themselves.

  • It has been under control by the Christians until 637AD until the Muslims took over

  • In 1054 AD, Roman christians and Orthodox Christians no longer belonged to the same church and saw each other as illegimate called The Great Schism

  • A group of Muslims attacked the Byzantine empire 1074AD causing the Orthodox Christians to seek help from the Roman Catholics only 20 years after The Great Schism

  • By 1095, the Orthodox Christians ask for help from the Roman Catholics once again