Late Medieval Europe Notes

Caused by the bacterial infection “Yersinia Pestis” transmitted by fleas that infest rats.
Three main forms of plague:
- Bubonic Plague
- Mnemonic Plague: More deadly and spread through air
- Septicaemic Plague: The most lethal form where a person could be dead in hours
Originated in the Mongolian steppes and spread throughout Asia and Europe.
Genoese merchants trading with Caffa carried the plague back to Europe via ships, starting in Sicily.
Spread rapidly through the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe.
Estimated deaths: 25% to 50% of Europe’s population.
Widespread Panic and fear, many believed the plague was divine punishment for sin.
Some tried self purifying themself by punishing themselves known as the “Flagellants”.
Jews became scapegoats, accused of poisoning wells and spreading disease.
Pogroms (violent mob attacks on Jewish communities) became common in Germany, France, and Spain.
Caused a major reduction of the labor force, leading to labor shortages and increased wages.
Decline in production.
Feudalism starts to break down, leading to rural uprisings and peasant revolts.
Feudalism: social, political, and economic system in Medieval Europe based on a hierarchy of land ownership where land was exchanged for service and labor.
- Peasants worked on the land.
- Nobles ruled it.
- The King’s owned it.

A battle fought between England and France that lasted 116 years (not a continuous battle).
Causes:
- 1328: The Capetian dynasty of France died out with Charles IV.
- Edward III of England, grandson of French King Philip IV, claimed the French throne.
- French Nobles rejected Edward’s claim and chose Philip VI of Valois instead.
- Edward declared war in 1337.
- English kings held lands in Gascony, and France wanted full control over its territory.
War:
- Earlier phases of the war proved to be victories for the English due to military superiority, such as the longbow.
- Joan of Arc played an important role in changing the tide for France.
- She was a peasant girl who claimed to have divine visions to help Charles VII claim France.
- “Siege of Orleans in 1429” was the turning point in the war, leading to a French victory.
- She was executed by the English.

In 1305, Pope Clement V (French) was elected and moved the papal court from Rome, Italy, to Avignon, France.
For the next 70 years, seven popes (all French) lived in Avignon instead of Rome.
Many believed the papacy had become the puppet of the French monarch.
Many Italians believed the papacy had turned away from spirituality.
Popes were living lavish lifestyles, increased church taxes, and sold indulgences.
Cardinals: high-ranking church officials who advise the pope and elect new popes.

In 1377, Pope Gregory XI returned the papacy to Rome but died soon after.
The cardinals elected Urban VI (Italian) as pope, but he turned out to be reform-minded.
The Cardinals fled to Avignon and elected Clement VII (French), resulting in two popes.
The Council of Constance (1414 - 1418)
- Deposed both current popes and elected Martin V in 1417, restoring one pope in Rome.
- Jan Hus was executed; a Czech theologian, priest, and reformer who criticized the Catholic Church and called out the corruption of the church in indulgences. (Early sign of discontentment with the church).

Social and economic tensions caused by war, plague, and feudalism.
The Jacquerie (1358) - France
- Caused by economic destruction from the Hundred Years' War, high taxes, and feudal oppression.
- People burned castles and killed nobles.
- Suppressed and thus failed.
English Peasants Revolt (1381) - England
- Black Death labor shortages, poll tax, feudal restrictions.
- Peasants marched on London demanding reforms, ultimately failing.

Latin declined, and writers began using Vernacular languages, helping spread literacy.
Art reflected death, sin, and the afterlife.