Global Regents Review: Medieval Europe – Flashcards

-When Germanic tribes swept through Europe and the Roman Empire collapsed, people turned to feudalism for protection -People were born into social positions; there was little chance for social mobility: nobility(King-->greater lords-->lesser lords-->knights) -->peasants and townspeople -Lords divided their land into fiefs=portions of land given to lesser lords called vassals; vassals pledged loyalty and military support in exchange for land -Knights lived by a code of chivalry -Self-sufficient-->no advancement in culture -Women played a large role in feudal society: ran things when men went to war and responsible for household affairs -Manorialism: the basis for medieval economy; based upon the idea of mutual responsibility, for ex. in exchange for labor, lords provided serfs with the use of certain land to farm -life for peasants was harsh -Architecture had Roman influence, also gothic style

-From 400 to 700, warrior tribes divided Europe and fought for control of various territories; the Franks emerged as the most powerful tribe in Gaul (present-day France) -Clovis, a Frank ruler, converted to Christianity and became an ally with the Church -At the Battle of Tours in 732, the Franks defeated the Muslim Umayyad army; this was a major turning point: Muslims still ruled part of Spain, but they ceased to advance further into Western Europe -in the 800's, Charlemagne established a Frankish Empire (creates monarchy); Pope Leo III called for help against rebellious Roman nobles, Charlemagne defeated them in battle and was named "Holy Roman Emperor" ; he then worked to spread Christianity and unite Europe under the religion -When he died, Charlemagne's grandsons fought for control of the empire, signed the Treaty of Verdun-->divided the empire into three separate kingdoms -Legacy: strong government

-The Roman Catholic Church became the main stabilizing force in Western Europe and provided comfort in troubling times -Pope-->archbishops-->bishops-->priests -Economic Power: tithe= Christians were required to pay a tax equal to 10% of their income -Political Power: canon law=Church's own set of laws; the Church also had its own court of justice; Church claimed authority over secular rulers, sometimes excommunicated leaders who threatened their power -Pope Innocent III excommunicated King John of England during a dispute about appointing the archbishop -Anti-semitism

-In the 1050's, Seljuk Turks began invading the Byzantine Empire; by 1095, the Byzantine emperor asked Pope Urban II for help -Urban II thought that the Crusades would increase his power in Europe and possibly reunite the Western and Eastern Churches -Christians thought their sins would be forgiven if they participated -Nobles hoped to gain land and wealth -Serfs hoped to escape feudal oppression -Council of Clermont: Urban II encouraged French & German bishops to recover Palestine (Holy Land) -Church won first crusade--> gained Jerusalem with the power of surprise

-Religious tension between Christians and Muslims -Trade increased: Western Europeans became interested in goods from the east (fabrics, spices, perfumes) -Interest in learning increased as Europeans became exposed to Byzantine and Muslim cultures -Power of the pope temporarily increased, however, soon began to lose power to feudal monarchs -Monarchs became more powerful as they gained the right to increase taxes to support fighting -Economy started to shift: lords wanted to be paid in money to finance the crusades and buy new goods from the east -Feudalism began to fall apart

-First ruled by Romans, then Germanic tribes, then by Umayyad Muslims -Religiously tolerant: Jews worked and went to universities -movements swept through Spain by Spanish Christians to get rid of Muslims; Reconquista: Ferdinand and Isabella

-Vikings first settled in early England -After the fall of the Roman Empire, Angles and Saxons wandered and settled in England; kings were succeeded by an heir, however one died without an heir-->this lead to the Battle of Hastings between William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson; William of Normandy won and England gained control of all Norman lands even though they were in France -King John raised taxes to pay for the war he lost, lost land to Philip of Spain and nobles became angry-->made John sign the Magna Carta: created a limited monarchy in which nobles had certain rights and due process of law was created

-After the Crusades in the 800's-900's, trade flourished with Eastern European nations; many abolished tariffs to spur the growth of trade (for ex, Hanseatic League= a tariff free zone established by German and Flemish merchant guilds in the 1200's) -the bubonic plague, which was carried by rats and spread by fleas, began to spread and fester on ships and people traveled -The lack of medical knowledge ultimately lead to the death of almost 60% of Europe -Some blamed the Jews for the Black Death -The economy declined: food production decreased, prices rose, and people revolted _Feudalism declined: peasant revolts weakened the power of the landowners; new political systems such as monarchies began to develop in areas like France and England

-France wanted to unite French speaking people; however, England still controlled Normandy from the Battle of Hastings -Edward III of England claimed the French throne and used his army to try to defeat France -England was winning until Joan of Arc led France to victory at Orleans; though she was killed she became a martyr and fueled France nationalism

-The Commercial Revolution: with the expansion of trade, cities began to develop; when merchants traveled along trade routes, they settled down to wait out bad weather, etc; other people stopped to buy their good or settled down with them-->as more people began to settle these areas became towns and then cities -The middle class, which was made up of merchants, artisans, and traders,began to grow -Merchants and artisans formed guilds for protection: ensured quality of goods, provided social services for members, regulated work hours and prices of goods -Capitalism developed; partnership and joint stock companies, banking, insurance; the use of money also helped eliminate feudalism