Middle Ages

a.k.a. Medieval Era Byzantine Empire still rocking in east 500-1300AD W. Roman Empire falls to Celtic and

Germanic tribes… Things become decentralized…

Centralized vs Decentralized

Charlemagne 800AD Kingdom of the Franks Converts to Christianity Spread Christianity by forcing on the

conquered Copied Latin texts Left kingdom to son Louis the Pious

What happened? Charlemagne’s son Louis the Pious Not equipped to be the king Divided kingdom btw 3 sons (Frankish

custom) Primogeniture better idea! Dumb idea…leads to civil war

Vikings 900-1000 Northmen, Norsemen, Nordic,

Norman Traders/explorers Made it to North America in

1000AD Plundered coasts of England,

Ireland, Russia

Feudalism Political system following Fall of W. Rome Offshoot of invasions of 900-1000AD Lack of central power!

Social Structure

Manor…the economics of Feudalism

Knights and Chivalry Virtues: Mercy (Towards the poor and oppressed. They

were supposed to be harsh with evil-doers.) Humility and Honor Sacrifice Very religious Courage Utmost graciousness and courtesy to ladies

Medieval Catholic Church until 1500s

Everyone is Catholic…unifying force Terrified of hell Participated in sacraments Tithe 10% Local clergy married until 1100’s Mass in Latin…most could not understand Illiterate…needed pictures…stained glass

Pay for baptisms Marriages Burials Or… You go to purgatory or hell This $ went to the wealthy church

Architecture Romanesque Gothic Shape of a cross Gargoyles Flying Buttress Stained glass

Romanesque

Gothic

Victor, Hugo, and Laverne

Heresy Against Catholic Church Criminal punishment New denominations who question Excommunication Today? Women ordination as priests

Medieval Warfare Stirrups and saddles from Asia

Chain Mail Armor Still used today Butchers

Longbow National weapon of English Used until 1500’s and

the onset of gunpowder 90lbs, 5’long Archers had deformed

arms 12 arrows per minute

Crossbow Could pierce armor 2-3’span Easier to load, but slower Required cocking it on hard

ground Lighter than English longbow Untrained soldier could use one

Sword Arming sword Two-Handed Mercy-giver

Flail Does not transfer

vibration impact

Pike 10-14’ tall Not thrown

Catapult

Trebuchet

Castles: Schloss Auerbach

Castle Technology/Fortification Moat and drawbridge Loop Holes Murder holes

Hot rocks Tar Urine/feces Hot sand and water

Other Technology of Middle Ages Arabic numerals Chess

The Crusades 1095 Rumor : Pilgrims not allowed to visit

Jerusalem 1093 Byzantine Emperor wants help against

Muslim Turks who threaten Constantinople Pope Urban II reads letter and calls for a

crusade…aka “Holy War” in 1095 Pope wanted to re-conquer Holy land Can’t control zealots

First Crusade: Europeans win Jerusalem in 1099 Pillage and murder Second Crusade: Saluhaddin recaptures Jerusalem Soldiers not allowed to kill civilians, rob

people or damage the city.

Pope Urban II and Salahuddin/Saladin

Third Crusade 1190s Three of Europe’s most

powerful rulers join One drowns on the way Two (Richard the Lionheart

and king of France) fight and can’t unite

Richard is captured and ransomed

4th? Constantinople sacked

Results of the Crusades… Political and religious failures Increased hatred between the east and

west Contact and trade re-established…$ and

cultural diffusion * spices…silk…disease…

Venice, Florence= trade hubs $

Knights Templar

Legacy of Crusades 1100-1300’s Byzantine Empire weakened Feudalism weakens Pope and a few kings gains power Religious intolerance grows Trade increases…towns grow Technology, science from Muslim world

diffuses to Europe

Magna Carta 1215…seed of democracy

England and the Magna Carta The Magna Carta (or Great Charter) is

generally considered to be the beginning of the British system of constitutional democracy

considered predecessor to the American concepts of political freedom and equality

Signed by King John (formerly the Prince John of the Robin Hood stories)

King John is not so popular…

He ordered the arrest and imprisonment without trial of opponents and demanded high new taxes of England's noblemen to pay for his campaigns in France, which would not benefit the nobility

These actions produced an aristocratic rebellion against his policies

In May 1215, rebellious nobles succeeded in capturing London. A month later King John met with the nobles at Runnymede and gave in to the pressure placed upon him by the aristocracy

The document he sealed on June 15, 1215, was effectively a peace treaty ending the rebellion

In it the King recognized, for himself and all of his successors, the rights of the nobility and limits on the power of the English monarchy

The right of the nobility to be free from arbitrary arrest and to be judged by a jury of their equals (other noblemen) as well as the right to be free of taxes imposed without their consent

The Magna Carta guaranteed these rights only to the nobility, over time the definition of was expanded to include most Englishmen, including those in the American Colonies