Transcript The Middle Ages (300 – mid 1400’s CE)

The Middle Ages
(300 – mid 1400’s CE)
What was the Middle Age?

A historical period in Europe stretching
from the fall of the Roman Empire in the
4th century to the beginning of the
Renaissance in the 14th century
◦ Medieval period
◦ Dark ages
What were the Middle ages like?

Feudal system
◦ A political-economic-social system of
landholding. Class structure very rigid
What were the Middle Ages Like?

The basic chain of feudalism was as
follows:
1. God
2. Kings
3. Nobles (Barons, Bishops, etc.)
4. Knights- who did not own land
5. Serfs or peasants- who did not own
land
What were the Middle Ages Like?

Rise of the Catholic Church
◦ Most of Europe converted to Catholicism
◦ Pope of grand importance. Had great power
in all aspects of life
◦ Influence on art, litterature, achitecture

Three estates (Social Classes)
◦ Aristocracy
◦ Clergy
◦ Commons
What were the Middle Ages Like?

Knighthood
◦ Duty of male above a commoner was in the
military
◦ Dubbed once intense training ended
◦ Fierce warriors loyal to the state

Women in the Middle Ages
◦ No political rights
◦ Subservient to men
◦ Husband or father determined her position
What were the key events of the
Middle Ages that set the stage for
the Renaissance?

Growth of cities and towns
◦ Eventually, the increasing population in cities
and towns made the feudal system close to
obsolete.
◦ New classes emerged (upper, middle, lower)
What were the key events of the
Middle Ages that set the stage for
the Renaissance?

The Crusades
◦ The Crusades (1095-1270), a series of wars
waged by European Christians against Muslims,
were waged during the period.
◦ Results of the crusades
 Scholasticism (discovery and study of ancient Greek
writtings)
 Increase in trade (food and clothing materials)
 National taxes
 Advances in art, science and technology
 Universities
What were the key events of the
Middle Ages that set the stage for the
Renaissance?

The Magna Carta
◦ The Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215.
◦ The Magna Carta was a document that limited the
Church’s power.

The Hundred Years War
◦ The English and French entered into the Hundred
Years’ War (1337-1453)
◦ This war showed that England was no longer
represented by the knight but by the commoner.
Common people were taking up the fight for
their country.
What were the key events of the
Middle Ages that set the stage for
the Renaissance?

The Black Death (Bubonic Plague)
◦ The Black Death, or bubonic plague, struck England in
1348-1349.
◦ The Black Death was highly contagious and
killed approximately one third of the
population.
◦ The Black Death caused the end of feudalism.
What were the key events of the Middle
Ages that set the stage for the Renaissance?

The Silk Road
◦ A trade route that passed from the eastern
borders of Europe terminating in the desert
regions of western China
◦ Traded items such as silk, glassware, spices, paper
etc
◦ Other things passed along
 Understanding of religion, science, technology,
philosophy, music and math.
◦ Made people want to become traders and travel
◦ Not all things passed in the Silk Road were good
 Spread disease (black death)
The Result?
A NEED FOR
REBIRTH!!!!