Middle Ages

Why were the Middle Ages so dark?

Fall of Rome

Charlemagne crowned 800 CE

Char

lem

agne

Ag Rev 1050-1200Heavy Plow3 Field System crop rotationUse of iron and horses

William Conqueror 1066 Battle of Hastings

Seljuk Turks 1071Muslim Turks begin the process of defeating Byzantine Empire

First Crusade 1096

Spain Reconquista

Magna Carta 1215King John IMonarchs were not above the law – not tax arbitrarilyParliament established under Edward I - 1272

Mongols in Kiev

100 Years War 1337

Feudalism

FeudalismSocialEconomicPolitical

Ag Rev is a game changer!

Effects of Ag RevSurplus means need a place to sell =

Revival of cities/townsGrowth of trade

Bourgeoisie, Burgher, Burgess

Craft GuildsAssociations of skilled craftsmen organized by tradeStandardized pricesRegulated trainingModern labor unions

Merchant GuildsRegulated trade by

Taxing non-members to discourage competitionParticipated actively in local governmentFunctioned as social clubs

Role of ChurchMost powerful institution of in medieval western EuropeUsed excommunication to keep people in lineResponsible for education