Transcript Unit 1 Crisis of the Middle Ages

Unit 1 Crisis of the
Middle Ages
•THE
“HIGH” MIDDLE AGES
WAS FROM 1100-1330(ISH)
THE TIME OF THE CRUSADE
ETC….
•BEGINNING
The Later
Middle Ages
Prelude to
Disaster
AROUND 1300
EUROPE IS HIT WITH A SERIES
OF PROBLEMS, CAUSING
EUROPE AS A WHOLE TO
QUESTION EVERYTHING
ABOUT THE SOCIETY THEY
HAD MADE FOR
THEMSELVES- CHANGED
THE WAY THEY SAW THE
WORLD.
Climate Change and Famine

Bad weather (Little Ice
Age 1300-1450) meant
bad harvests and
famine.

Worst period known as
“Great Famine” (13151322). But overall, lower
caloric intake/quality
made people more
susceptible to disease
Social Consequences

Famine had big impact on Europe -People moved around a lot
(looking for better lands etc. ) which changed demographics. And
econ issues in one area impacted others (sheep died in England
which impacted wool markets in Flanders etc)

Population loss comes not only from starvation, but from delayed
marriages/having fewer kids (that survived)

Hungry people are scared/angry – scapegoating
(Jews/Lepers/”witches”)
Black Death/Pathology

Europe in the middle ages wasn’t a
“healthy” place, but a variety of factors
combine to make the Black death a catastrophic event,

Trade with areas outside Europe (esp middle east) continued after
crusades. October 1347 trade ships return to Italy from the Black
Sea- with some extra cargo: Bubonic Plague which hit a
population already weakened by famine

“Bubonic” comes from the boil (bubo- I know, it’s a funny word)
and was the most common form- transmitted from rats to fleas to
humans . But there was also a “Pneumonic” version- transmitted
via coughing/sneezing, and “septicemic” (multi system organ
failure)
Spread of the Disease
•
Originated in Asia 1331 - travelled
the silk road- and hit Europe in
October 1347. Spread like wildfireanywhere from ¼ to ½ of the
population died. Varies by area,
cities hit hard and sanitation issuesor lack therefore were NO help.
•
First wave ends around 1353,
reappears intermittently in
following decades, 1666 (London),
last Marseilles 1721
Care of the Sick
•
Seemed a biblical judgment,
God’s punishment for a sinful
world. No effective treatment
available
•
Hysteria led to some interesting
preventatives/medicines
(drinking powdered emeralds is
a favorite)
•
Widespread hysteria- people
fled, entire towns were deserted.
1. Based on their
clothing and objects
they are carrying,
who are the people
in the Fresco? What
does this suggest was
the artist’s message
about death?
2. Paintings such as
this clearly provide
evidence of the
preoccupation with
death in this era, but
does this work
highlight other social
issues as well? If so,
what are they?
Economic, Religious, and
Cultural effects
•
Devastating to witness, those who survived the age were never the
same. Ripped apart social fabric- causing people to question
“privileges” of Church and nobility.
•
Some turned to deeper religion, or Flagellants: punishing themselves
to keep disease away. Also lots of violence directed at scapegoats
(Jews)
•
In the end, plague makes Europe stronger, it was overpopulated in
1347- this took care of that- redistribution of land, more resources
available, better standard of living.
•
Also led to greater education (new colleges) and new experimental
procedures, clearly the way things had been done not working….
100 Years War/Causes
•
1337-1453 (116 years) Last “medieval” war of
knights and chivalry
•
1328 the Capetian dynasty of France was dying out. Queen Isabella
of England (sister of last Capetain Charles IV), said her son Edward III
was heir. Good claim, English crown already held Aquitaine (SW
France) .
•
French nobility create a law saying heir cannot come through female
line (which will hold until revolution of 1789)- and chose Philip of Valois
as new king. The Philip claimed Aquitaine.
•
Edward invades 1337, but this are also elements civil war (part of why it
lasts so long) kings have been centralizing power, nobles don’t like that
(some back Edward- like the powerful Burgundians, and the Scots
back the French)
English Successes
•
War fought almost entirely in
France – and was NOT
continuous.
•
England starts strong. At battle
of Crecy 1346 the English
longbow men and Eng. also first
to use cannon usher in a new
style of war. At the seige of
Poitiers in 1357 the King of
France was captured and held
for ransom. By battle of
Agincourt 1415 (Henry V married
French Princess so his sons would
be heirs) British victory seemed
assured.
Joan of Arc and France’s
Victory

Joan of Arc born 1412 in
Doremy France. “Voices” told
her to go to the Dauphin
(Charles VII) and make him
king, then expel the English
from France. So she does. She is
a turning point, convinces the
French that God wants them to
win, that they CAN win. Joan
captured by Eng. in 1430 and
burned as a heretic in 1431.

BUT she her victories convinced
the Burgundians to switch sides,
and that help tip scales for
France. By 1453 only Calais is
British
Aftermath
•
War promoted Nationalism, but was also a bottomless pit of $$ and
manpower.
•
England spent a TON of $$- and ended up losing not only their claim
to throne, but all their lands in France (stimulated parliament at
home)
•
France wins, but is devastated even
in victory- the country is laid waste.
Made king of France more powerful
(felt need to control nobles, didn’t
like Burgundian independence)
Representative Assemblies

Assemblies of nobles (diets,
cortes, parlements) had been
common in early middle ages,
but they were dying out.
England’s (esp Edward III’s)
constant need for $$ for war kept
England’s going.

In order to keep $$ flowing,
Edward agreed that parliament
had to approve new taxesgiving them a check on the
power of the king (which will be
important later)
Challenges to
the Church
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS
THE DOMINANT SPIRITUAL FORCE
OF THE MIDDLE AGES- THE ONLY
PATH TO HEAVEN. ALSO HAD
ENORMOUS SOCIAL CONTROL
AND PRESTIGE- UNQUESTIONABLE,
AND WAS THE LARGEST
LANDOWNER IN EUROPE
CATHOLICISM WAS ALSO
SOMETHING THAT (ALMOST)
EVERYONE HAD IN COMMON- THE
LAST BIT OF “UNITY” OF THE
CLASSICAL AGE
THE CHURCH WILL LOSE BOTH ITS
SUPREMACY AND IT INFALLIBILITY
BY THE END OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Babylonian Captivity

From 1309-1376 the pope lived in Avignon France rather than
Rome

Damaged the pope’s prestige- seen as a “puppet” of the
French king and Avignon papal court was known for luxury
and extravagance (not so holy)

Also caused all sorts of
problems in Italy- pope was
leader of big chunk (papal
states) and he’s not there
Petrarch – A Letter Criticizing
the Avignon Papacy 1354
SI am now living in [Avignon], in the Babylon of the West . . . Here reign
the successors of the poor fishermen of Galilee who]have strangely forgotten
their origin.
I am astounded, as I recall their predecessors, to see these men loaded
with gold and clad in purple, boasting of the spoils of princes and nations; to
see luxurious palaces and heights crowned with fortifications, instead of a
boat turned downwards for their shelter. We no longer find the simple nets
which were once used to gain a frugal living from the lake of Galilee . . . .
One is stupefied nowadays to hear the lying tongues, and to see the arts
of Belial [i.e., the devil], to catch hordes of unwary Christians. Instead of holy
solitude we find a criminal host and crowds . . .; instead of sobriety, licentious
banquets . . .; instead of pious pilgrimages . . . foul sloth; instead of the bare
feet of the apostles . . . horses decked in gold . . . . In short, we seem to be
among the kings of the Persians or Parthians, before whom we must fall down
and worship, and who cannot be approached except presents be
offered.OURCE: Petrarch, between 1340 and 1354.
Great Schism

1377 papal conclave, Italian cardinals elect
Urban VI, (says he will stay in Italy) But French
cardinals choose Clement VII (cousin of Fr.
King)

So who is “really” pope? Italy, HRE, and
England support Urban. France, Spain and
Scotland support Clement. Church leaders
Deposed and /or excommunicated various
popes, installed others (which only added to
confusion of the period)

Split continued until 1417- and cost the church
a lot of respect- how can they be “infallible” if
they can’t even choose their own leader?
Critiques, Divisions
and Councils

After Schism people begin calling for reform of the church, saying
that pope’s power comes from Christian community (not God)
and his role is to serve them (not rule with divine right)

Conciliarists wanted there to be periodic meetings to discuss and
reform church policy. There were several- council of Constance
1414 -1418 (ended schism) most important.

William of Occam ad Marsiglio of Padua (both members of clergy)
called for separations between church and state

Overall, shows people aren’t just going to accept anymoreprecursor to reformation
John Wycliff/
Jan Hus

Called for more serious reform

John Wyclif: English – followers were called Lollards. Said Church should
not have secular power, or own property. Said everyone should read
the bible for themselves (at a time when many clergy hadn’t read it)
and that bible/services should be in Vernacular (common language)

Jan Hus: Bohemian (Czech) Denied the divine authority of the pope,
translated the bible into Bohemian, and
said indulgences (guarantees of
forgiveness of sin- remember this, it will
be important soon) were fake. Burned
at stake
Lay Piety and Mysticism

Confraternities: organizations of ordinary people would gather
for religious activities, like guided prayer, or run charities, or
raise $$ for church needs . Very important in an age full of
crises.

Brethren of the Common Life: lived simply and cared for the
poor (wait, isn’t that what church is supposed to do?)

Mystical Experiences were also popular, with clergy and
ordinary people spoke of visions of Saints etc. Generally not a
problem unless they challenged church
Social Unrest
in a Changing
Society
EUROPE IS ON THE
EDGE OF GREAT
CHANGE. THEY HAVE
RISEN FROM THE ASHES
OF CATASTROPHE
(DESTRUCTION OF
CLASSICAL WORLD,
BLACK DEATH ETC)
AND ARE ABOUT TO
BEGIN THEIR CLIMB TO
WORLD DOMINATION.
Peasant Revolts




Peasants were definitely exploited, and they didn’t like itesp hated were feudal obligations. Resentment frequently
led to revolt
1358 “Jacquerie” (in name of “Jacques bonhomme”)
sparked by new taxes paid to raise ransom for Fr. King.
(during 100 years war)
1381 Eng. Peasant’s revolt also about taxes to continue
fighting in 100 years war. Revolts frequently demanded $$
wages and an end to manor obligations.
Revolts tended to be put down savagely. But by 1550
serfdom and feudal obligations had died out in western
Europe- so it sort of worked
Urban Conflicts

Much of the work Medieval cities was controlled by Guilds –
which were kind of like unions, with strict rules about #s of workers
in specific crafts, the training workers were to get etc
(apprentice, journeyman, master).

It was meant to protect workers (by limiting competition and
providing support) but sometimes became very restrictive (only
people from existing families could become masters etc) which
would spark resentment.

During late middle ages many guilds strove to drive women from
the workplace (which had been common earlier) limiting female
econ choices.
Sex in the City

In Northwestern Europe the tradition was for couples to be econ
independent (have house, land, business) before marriage. Marriages (of
peasants) not generally arranged, but had to be approved by both
families. Men married in their mid/ate 20s, girls in mid/late teens. Problems
in late middle ages pushed age of marriage back- which meant people
had fewer kids

Most cities had legal and illegal brothels- considered necessary to contain
the “unrest” of the men in the city.

Rape not uncommon, and was considered generally to be the woman’s
fault. Though a capital crime, in reality, penalties for shoplifting were
higher.

Homosexuality (which had not been a big deal in the classical world)
became a “crime” in the middle ages, though it was rare for there to be
actual arrest/executions
“Fur Collar” Crime

Noble privileges had been born in a time
(knights, dark ages etc) when they were responsible for protecting
those below them. But as time passed (and their style of fighting died
out after 100 years war) their lives became more about lavish comfort –
which is expensive.

Young noblemen would demand “protection $$” from peasants, or
even form gangs to steal. Landowners increased fees/rents to
squeeze extra $$- and paid off courts etc if challenged

Folk stories of heroes like Robin Hood symbolize the deep resentment
felt by lower classes as “nobles” begin to transition towards being
“aristocrats”.
Ethnic Tensions and
Restrictions

During the late middle ages crisis causes a lot
of demographic change- populations move
from one place to another looking for better
circumstances, which can cause issues as
many wanted to keep their own ways
(leading to different laws for different people
in same area)

The people of Europe are all Caucasian, so
“Race” came to describe culture/customs,
not biology. Chief marks of an ethnic group
were language, customs, laws, and religionall seen as your blood heritage.

Ireland (rule by England) was an early
example of extreme discrimination – entire
Irish population was considered “unfree” with
laws like the Statute of Kilkenny (1366) to
prevent “mixing” blood.
Vernacular Literature

Latin had been “universal” language of late classical age, but during
dark ages languages had localized, becoming specific to an area.
Vernacular is “everyday” language originally used for informal
communication. (yolo, swagg etc)

During late middle ages, growing nationalism led people to begin
using “their” language for writing as well.

Dante Alighieri (The Divine Comedy- a journey through hell, purgatory
and heaven) , and Geoffrey Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales – stories
told by a group of pilgrims) important early vernacular writers.

For much of middle ages only clergy had been literate. As layperson
literacy began to spread (will really take off in renaissance) it shifts a
balance of power.