The Late Middle Ages: A Time of Upheaval 7.7

What were the sources of conflict between the English and the French at the beginning of the Hundred Years' War?

French Normans conquered England in the eleventh century. Conflict grew between French and English rulers when both laid claim to the Norman lands in France. When England's Edward III claimed the French throne based on his Norman ancestry, war erupted. Once war had begun, national pride and competition for wealth made the conflict worse.

What economic effect did the plague have?

It hurt farm production and the production of other goods and services. With so few workers able to work, the demand for labor rose, so wages and prices also increased.

How did the plague known as the Black Death reach Europe?

It was caused by bacteria carried by fleas that attached themselves to rats traveling on merchant ships from the Black Sea region.

How did the plague affect the Church?

It weakened faith in the Church and its teachings because the clergy could do little to stop the plague or help its victims. Many priests were killed by the disease as well.

How did the introduction of war weapons, such as the longbow and the cannon, affect medieval society?

Such weapons made the fighting fiercer, resulting in more casualties. Such technology also rendered professional knights less necessary, replacing hierarchical fighting forces with soldiers for hire.

What were the effects of the Black Death on late medieval Europe?

The Black Death decimated the European population, killing almost one-third of the people. This loss of population resulted in a labor shortage, which in turn drove up workers' wages and prices for goods. Landowners converted farmland to herding land, which drove many rural farmers to find work in towns and cities. Merchant guilds controlled hiring, and in time, peasant revolts erupted because of the lack of opportunity. Europe's economy began shifting toward a market economy, and landowners saw their power lessened. At the same time, a middle class of merchants and artisans grew, and monarchs expanded their wealth through taxes.

How did the second Great Schism affect Church authority and power, and contribute to the end of medieval Europe?

The election of multiple popes and the criticism of the papacy and Church hierarchy for lavish lifestyles led to the second Great Schism. This division and its causes weakened the ability of Church officials to claim authority over doctrine since they could not even agree among themselves to present a united front. Coupled with the decline of feudalism, such challenges to Church authority signaled a major shift away from medieval culture.

Why did Europeans blame Jews for the plague?

They suspected the Jews, who held different religious beliefs, of spreading the plague through poison.

What conditions and events signaled the end of the medieval period in Europe?

the end of the feudal system of vassalage; an increase in population; growth in manufacturing; increased trade and urbanization; development of new technologies; onset of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Age of Exploration