HST 111 Week 10 (Middle Ages)

the Turks

A member of the Turkish-speaking ethnic group in Turkey, or, formerly, in the Ottoman Empire

Serf (Peasant)

A person who lived on and farmed a lords land in feudal times

Manorialism

Economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient *farming estates* where *lords* and *peasants* shared the land.

King John of England

William the Conqueror's successor; forced to sign the Magna Carta (1215) -Results of years of misrule that he had imposed on England as a *tyrannical king* which propped English aristocracy up against him by bullying them around him; they challenged him to a battle and forced him to concede to a set of rules that kings would have to follow -Has repercussions for next several centuries

Byzantium (aka Byzantine Empire)

a) Capital: Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) -Large, wealthy, imperial city; well-defended b) Attempt to reunite the Roman Empire under Justinian (483 - 565) -Justinian the Great; almost succeeds against multiple Barbarian tribes, but they kept re-attacking lost territory -Oversaw overhaul of the legal codex; left great architectural monuments -> the Hagia Sophia, which was later converted into a mosque under Muslim Turks in 1453

Mongol Empire

a) Empire that extended at its height from Pacific coast of East Asia to border of Poland; a distance of 6,000 miles from east to west (¼ of Earth's territory) -Genghis Khan (1162-1227) -Kublai Khan (1214-1294)- Genghis's grandson b) Established by the [ ] tribes; [ ] warriors were highly skilled on horseback; warriors were brutal and ruthless conquerors c) Huge empire (22% of Earth's land area, with a population of over 100 million); stretched 6,000 miles from one end to the other

The Dark Ages (500 - 750)

term gets its name from our lack of knowledge about this period; few writings and artifacts has survived a) Barbarian migrations, wars, and general chaos; *no* central authority anywhere b) *Disappearance of most towns:* many Roman cities became ghost towns at this time and fell into ruins; even great city of Rome likely had no more than a few thousand people living in it c) Establishment of successor kingdoms by Barbarians

The Dark Ages (500 - 750)

term gets its name from our lack of knowledge about this period; few writings and artifacts has survived d) *Growth of Monasticism* (St. Benedict of Nursia)- number of small Christian communities and monasteries set up; the religious elite of time period who withdrew from the general chaos of time period -Found refuge in remote locations; kept Christian traditions alive and tried to rebuild religion from the ground up -St Benedict of Nursia- founds Benedict monks; Monte Cassino, Italy e) *Re-Christianization of Europe*- monks become missionaries who sought to spread the gospel -Converted Germanic barbarians across Europe but takes a while until Christianity firmly re-established in Europe

1. Dark Ages (c. 500- 750) 2. Central Middle Ages (c. 750- 1000) 3. High Middle Ages (c. 1000 - 1350)

the 3 distinct Medieval Periods

Byzantium (aka Byzantine Empire)

the civilization that developed from the eastern Roman Empire following the death of the emperor Justinian (C.E. 565) until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

William the Conqueror

the duke of Normandy who led the Norman invasion of England and became the first Norman to be King of England

Stone Keep and Concentric castles

the later models of the medieval castle; constructed for surviving a siege or invasion; generally built on high hilltops; generally impenetrable until the time of gunpowder and cannons

Balkans

Various peoples in this area of Eastern Europe rebelled against Ottoman rule, contributing to their imperial decline.

Kublai Khan

(1215-1294) Grandson of Genghis Khan and founder of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in China.

Thomas Aquinas

(Roman Catholic Church) Italian theologian and Doctor of the Church who is remembered for his attempt to reconcile faith and reason in a comprehensive theology

Growth of European Power after 1000 CE

-After this period of isolation, there was a *re-establishment of very active trade* with the Middle East and North Africa i.e. city-states of northern Italy in particular (i.e. Genoa, Pisa) re-established trade contacts that had long fallen on the waist side with the Middle East and Byzantines -Porcelain, silk, spices enter Europe marketplace -City of *Venice* becomes the *economic powerhouse* of this time period; large fleet of ships that sailed across the Mediterranean; built on water connected by canals and bridges; greatest accumulations of wealth found at this time

Crusades (1095-1291)

-Backlash established among *Muslim* population under *Saladin;* Muslims able to *retake territory* conquered by the Crusaders; launches another crusade and then another one and so on; total of eight crusades launched -Not much of eight crusades achieved except widespread destruction and bloodshed, although does have two interesting consequences

Orthodox Christianity

-Begins in *7th century;* various disputes that had developed over proper practice and doctrine of Christianity; drives greater wedge between two versions of Christianity (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Chruch) -*Decentralized* church that allowed for regional variations -Based on the first 7 ecumenical councils -Iconoclasm 9th/10th centuries -Conversion of East and South Slavs by Cyril and Methodius -Great Schism (1054)- the final break between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church;

Black Death

-Bubonic plague (also pneumonic and septicemic plague played a part although to a lesser extent); Makes subsequent reappearances in Europe until 18th century -Yersenia Pestis; spread by fleas (transferred from rats); originated in East Asia, spread via trade routes (Silk Road); spreads to Middle East, North Africa, and then to Europe -Killed approximately 25-50 million people (= ca. 33% of Europe's population) -Deadly in over 90% of cases, usually within two weeks; gets its name bc tissue starts to die off and develop purple/black areas on skin and tips of finger and toes fall off as death from blood poisoning

Barbarians/Germanic Tribes

-Mostly illiterate; contrast with Romans who had a high literacy; Our information is based on (often biased) Roman sources due to their illiteracy -Great variety of customs, dialects, etc.; tribes made up family clans (kindreds), loosely combined into 'nations' -Term was meant as a derogatory term; initially used by Greeks but eventually adopted by Romans in the Greek context, the term was used to refer to any foreigner who couldn't speak the Greek language

Barbarians

-Relatively high degree of *equality* for women; there were female warriors in some tribes; *matrilineal* inheritance -Violent society, bloody *family feuds* between various clans/kindreds that could last centuries at times -Council of *elder administers* of justice, advised leaders: A primitive version of a parliament; advisory council often practices

Crusades (1095-1291)

-Religious imperialism; Enormous bloodshed and violence -Total of eight [ ] which would initiate a bitter rivalry between Christendom and Islam that in some ways continues to be seen today -Had varying degrees of success

Barbarians

-Ruled by *chieftains* and *warrior elites;* lived side by side with the Romans for so long that they were familiar with each other and many had immigrated into the Roman Empire even before the invasions started; attracted to wealth and Roman urban lifestyle -Roman military largely comprised of [ ] *mercenaries* towards end of Empire -Some were semi-nomadic; practiced agriculture, hunting, preferred rural lifestyle; didn't like permanent settlements much and not well acquainted with urban life; preferred living together in smaller groups -Traded with the Romans; good knowledge of each other but liked keeping distance from each other

Barbarian Deities

-Woden (chief god); known as Odin in Norse mythology; where we get the day 'Wednesday' -Freya (head goddess of magic and sex) -Thor (weather god) -Tiw (god of justice) -Frigga (goddess of the hearth) -Loki (mischievous companion of Woden) -Various elves, dwarves, trolls, etc.

First Crusades (1096-1280)

-first and largest/most successful Crusade; featured around 100,000 Europeans who tried to take over *Jerusalem* -most died along the way and never made it to the holy land; most marched along horseback or by foot and left a trail of destruction -crusaders established short-lived crusader kingdoms that were ruled by European knights

serfs (peasants)

-live in villages, often in very poor conditions; work on the fields for the landlord -did not get to keep much of what they produced other than what they need for their own *survival;* only other thing they really gain from the landlords is their *protection* (i.e. in times of war, they were kept in the castle to be safe from getting killed) -main difference between them and slaves is that they could *not* be bought and sold; they were *tied to the land* although had no land to claim as their own -males were often recruited for military service and often wasted in front lines of battle

Growth of European Power after 1000 CE

-period that involves *Hanseatic trade routes:* these connected countries such as England, Netherlands, Poland, Germany, Russia with the North Sea and the Baltic Sea; transported goods like Russian animal pelts to Northern Germany where sold and transported to England -*Distinct middle class* emerges here in towns and cities across Europe; individuals who are professionals in their particular fields (skilled laborers, craftsmen, etc.) -*Age of Gothic Cathedrals* (i.e. Notre Dame)- *depicts growing wealth* marked by this time period; required large labor force and money; generally very tall, soaring buildings which hadn't been constructed since Ancient Egypt

Manorialism

-relationship between nobles and serfs; protection in exchange for goods and services; used up to 13th-14th centuries and sometimes even beyond in certain areas

Great Schism (1054)

-the final break between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church -Had previously fought over iconoclasm during 9th/10th centuries when had violent argument over how churches should be decorated (more appropriate to use statues and paintings or icons?); Eastern Orthodox Church adopts icons as only acceptable way of depicting holy figures while Catholic Church adopts paintings and statues -Split of Christianity results of several centuries of growing apart and disagreements

Medieval Feudalism

-the political/social/economic system of the Middle Ages -it's the system that evolves after the collapse of the Roman Empire -de-centralized structure, personal loyalty, and hierarchical -established by Charlemagne

Magna Carta (1215)

-this establishes certain rights for English aristocracy and other sections of society (i.e. members of the church); seen as the beginning of Western form of constitutional govt that would eventually take shape over subsequent centuries -Establishment of the *English Parliament* by the late 1200s; still exists today although in a different building; was an advisory council for the English kings and was constituted by the various members of nobility which decided to put the brakes on some of actions of English king -This establishes certain ground rules and English Parliament as a counterweight to the king

Medieval Feudalism

-under this social structure, Knights were generally the main warriors that were going into battle; being a knight meant being a person of wealth and status; allowed to afford own kit or weapons/armor when going into battle; knights generally didn't have much land or spent much time on their land -this goes hand-in-hand with manorialism (manorial feudalism) -------------------- think: KLKP

Franks

A Germanic people who settled in the Roman province of Gaul.

Ottoman Empire

A Muslim empire based in Turkey that lasted from the 1300's to 1922.

Orthodox Christianity

A branch of Christianity developed in the Byzantine Empire, after its split from the Roman Empire. It spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean and Russia.

Genghis Khan

Also known as Temujin; he united the Mongol tribes into an unstoppable fighting force; created largest single land empire in history -founder of the Mongol Empire

Magna Carta (1215)

An English document draw up by nobles under King John which limited the power of the king. It has influenced later constitutional documents in Britain and America.

Gaul

An ancient region and Roman province that included most of present-day France

Black Death

Attributed to bad hygienic conditions and overpopulation -Why it was especially devastating in Europe; livestock and rats everywhere in towns -Initially starts in Sicily; rats from ship with dead passengers got on land and spread -More active in summer months than winter months

a) Some had converted to Christianity by the 5th century; the rest (most) were polytheistic pagans b) Oral tradition of elaborate myths and legends; very superstitious, widespread use of 'magic', etc. c) Concept of afterlife (i.e. Asgard, Valhalla, Hel) -Afterlife for warriors or those who died in battle; went to Valhalla, a heaven for warriors -Asgard- heaven for ordinary people; Hel- afterlife for bad people d) Big religious festivals (i.e. Yule) -Impacted and fused with Christian beliefs; i.e. Christmas celebrations -Yule tide; where we get the Christmas tree tradition

Barbarian Religious Beliefs

Anglo-Saxon Runes

Barbarian rudimentary writing system; not very literate culture; used for instantaneous communication and relaying short messages

Justinian

Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruler by Rome, initiated an ambitious building program, including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code

Carolingian Renaissance

Charlemagne's efforts led to the revival of learning and culture, rebirth -Charlemagne set up *administration* to better govern; results in well-administered territory -established *Medieval feudalism* (Hierarchy of nobles; how the *nobility* related to each other Relationship between Lord, the higher-ranking and Vassal, the lower-ranking)

Mongol Empire

Empire ends with Black Death; empire ends about mid 1300s; Ming Dynasty established that would rule for next three centuries

St. Benedict of Nursia (480-554)

Father of Western Monasticism; Italian monk who created a set of rules for Western monasteries in the 6th century

-Those not affected by plague tried to run away; escaped in forests -Europe economy comes to standstill; many peasants died leaving fields unplowed causing widespread famine -People believed this to be the apocalypse; large crowds of people (flagellants) who traveled by village and believed they need to whip themselves to atone for sins -Crime spiked; robbers steal from people's houses; murders occurring -Persecution of Jews (allegedly poisoned wells) bc people looking for scapegoats -Outbreaks of peasant revolts -Morbid artwork ("Dance of Death")- image of the grim reaper

Immediate consequences of the Plague

Dneiper River

Kiev was located on this river

Charlemagne

King of the Franks (r. 768-814); emperor (r. 800-814). -Through a series of military conquests he established the Carolingian Empire, which encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy. -Illiterate, though started an intellectual revival.

Charlemagne (Charles the Great)

King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor -was founder of the Holy Roman Empire (760) and considered the ideal ruler; built an empire in Europe greater than any known since ancient Rome from 771-814

Gothic Cathedrals

Large churches originating in twelfth-century France; built in an architectural style featuring pointed arches, tall vaults and spires, flying buttresses, and large stained-glass windows -Competition between cities over who can have the tallest, most impressive cathedrals -Gargoyles used as decorative features; carved statues of saints

Barbarians

Legal customs such as the Ordeal, trial by jury, and Wergeld -influenced/impacted our modern society -Ordeal = trial by fire, that endured for many centuries into Early Modern Period, associated with witchcraft craze of 16th and 17th century -Trial by jury- seen today especially in Anglo-American jurisprudence; jury of peers -Wergeld- paying compensation for those who had been injured or for damages caused

a) Ostrogoths (Italy) b) Frankish Kingdom (early medieval France) c) Kingdom of Burgundy (borders Italy and France) d) Visigoths (settled in Spain and conquered by Muslim warriors from Africa) -Important successor state emerges in East in Balkan region and Asia Minor in modern-day Turkey; Byzantine Empire (476 - 1453)

List Rome's successor states and how they were occupired by various Barbarian groups after fall of Rome

-Further decline of feudalism; more economic opportunities for survivors; now much vacant land available for whoever wanted it -Upward social mobility; anyone with a particular skill could command much higher wages than ever before; little supply but high demand -Some improvements in medicine and hygiene; people make connection between hygiene and health -Later marriages; people postponed marriage until later age; meant women had fewer children than before; results in slower population growth over next three centuries and prevents overcrowding that made plague so devastating -Beginning of the Renaissance (means 'rebirth' in French); rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman culture

Long-term consequences of the Plague

Ottoman Empire

Major Islamic state centered on Anatolia that came to include the Balkans, the Near East, and much of North Africa.

Vassal

Medieval Feudalism: A knight who promised to support a lord in exchange for land

Fief

Medieval Feudalism: land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service

1) Rise of universities (i.e. Bologna 1088, Oxford 1180) -Education and literacy usually limited to members of church up until this time; most of population was illiterate -Where the elite of society would go to become educated; subjects limited to scholasticism (theology, Aristotelian philosophy and logic) and law -> prepared men for careers in the church or govt administration -St. Thomas Aquinas- a genius; embodied modern ideals of learning at this time 2) Greater interest in arts & entertainment; Literature (i.e. Chaucher's Canterbury Tale, Dante's Divine Comedy, & Legend of King Arthur)

Medieval Learning: explain how culture and learning evolved during the time of the crusades

Black Death

Mongol Empire allows it to originate from East Asia and quickly spread across North Africa and Europe

Battle of Hastings (1066)

Norman, England: Successful invasion carried by William I, the duke of Normandy (1066-1087) aka William the Conqueror -Takes over England as *unifies* it under his rule -4 centuries of political and cultural ties to *France* -he introduces; new *feudal aristocracy*; parceled out the land in England to various noblemen that he brought with him-> established feudal system

iconoclasm

Opposing or even destroying images, especially those set up for religious veneration in the belief that such images represent idol worship.

Middle Ages

Refers to the medieval period; historically, only concerns Europe from 5th-14th century

Charlemagne (King of the Franks)

The Carolingian Renaissance: -His grandfather had stopped the expansion of Muslim troops into Europe in 732; [ ] would find himself battling Muslims for control off the Mediterranean Sea -Became emperor in 800; crowned by the pope; beings long association between Catholic Church and Holy Roman Empire -Greatly expanded territory; designated as protector of *Roman Catholic Church* and brings back emperor title and *picked up where Roman Empire* left off; wanted to bring back *culture and learning*- opened schools -Set up *administration* to better govern; results in well-administered territory -Succeeded by *Louis the Pious;* diverged into the modern nations of *France and Germany*

Great Schism (1054)

The separation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church

Dark Ages

Time period from around 500-1000 A.D. in Europe After the Fall of Rome when there was no central government, little education and no big achievements.

High Middle Ages (1000-1350)

Time period of the Middle Ages: a) Rise/resurgence of towns that continue to grow over the centuries to become small cities b) Trade and growing wealth/commerce -Towns become *commercial centers* where the buying and selling of goods take place and various things are being produced and manufactured -*Markets* become one of the *central features* of towns; towns would have market days about 1-2x/week when merchants and traders from near and faraway would sell goods to nearby villagers; brings great deal of wealth to high medieval towns -Rothenburg, Germany- example of this merchant town; still inhabited to this day -Food items, fabrics, manufactured goods sold as sell as *exotic commodities* such as spices from India, China, Indonesia (Silk Road) that were often worth their weight in gold

High Middle Ages (1000-1350)

Time period of the Middle Ages: c) Economic life dominated by the Guilds -Guilds- organizations focused on what type of profession (i..e guild of bakers, a guild of tailors/carpenters, etc.); would set standards for work hours and prices and anybody involved in the trade -Play important role in govt of these towns during the high Middle Ages; often the wealthiest citizens of the towns; had many privileges granted to them by the local kings or noblemen; would pay a significant amount of taxes to rulers for autonomy granted

High Middle Ages (1000-1350)

Time period of the Middle Ages: d) *Dominance of the Church* across the town and villages -Only *one* church in western and Central Europe, the *Roman Catholic Church* (Orthodox Christian Church found in Greece and Russia) -Catholic *popes had as powerful* or more powerful of a role than any king or emperor at the time; large impact on people's daily lives -the *church was often the only form of administration* in society as weren't any modern govts at this time so up to the church to keep records, issue birth certificates, collect taxes, etc. -Church played a central role in social lives; the essential place to go on Sunday to meet friends/neighbors; only educational institution at this time; church school taught people to read/write -Focused on representing high medieval towns by building churches and castles -Roman Catholic Church has immense wealth/power across Europe

-Rise/resurgence of towns that continue to grow over the centuries to become small cities -Trade and growing wealth/commerce -Economic life dominated by the Guilds -Dominance of the Church across the town and villages

Traits of the High Middle Ages (1000-1350)

Mongol Empire

a) Extracted heavy tributes although did try to keep peace after conquering territories; very oppressive and widely feared -Took over the Middle East; takes over the golden age of Baghdad b) Did enact religious diversity; effective bureaucracy; causes trade and spread of technology -Ruled over diverse populations; anyone of any religion protected by them -Bureaucracy needed to collect its tributes -Promoted trade and spread tech from East Asia to West (i.e. printing and gunpowder which was taken from the Chinese and adopted in Europe in 14th and 15th centuries) c) Empire ends with Black Death; empire ends about mid 1300s; Ming Dynasty established that would rule for next three centuries

Vikings

a) Group of invaders from Scandinavia between 9-10th centuries; attacked NW and NE Europe b) Staged brutal raids on settled communities to steal anything valuable; focused on monasteries and Christian churches where most of the valuables were -this lasted for about two centuries but subsided when they settled down and became Christianized c) They were *great seafarers* and *explorers;* discovered Iceland, Greenland, and North America (500 years before Columbus)-> Leif Erikson discovers Newfoundland, CA d) Eventually set up *colonies* particularly in Eastern Britain and Northern France (Normandy) e) Had many *trade contacts;* i.e. Byzantine Empire trade partners; founded city of Kiev in modern-day Ukraine

Crusades (1095-1291)

a) Launched by Pope Urban II in 1096 CE; issued proclamation to recapture Jerusalem from Muslims who had captured it in 7th century -Asked for volunteers that would raise armies and liberate areas from Muslim control; were promised place in heaven by the pope and allowed to keep any areas they captured -Tens of thousands of European knights, as well as commoners/peasants, went on the crusades Organizations set up: -Knight Templars- set up way stations along the pilgrimage route to Jerusalem -Knights Hospitable- another organization of knights; set up hostels for travelers to spend the night; originators of the modern hotel industry

Medieval Feudalism

a) New and fairly complex social structure; greatly *varied* by region b) Hierarchy of nobles; how the *nobility* related to each other c) Relationship between Lord (higher-ranking) and Vassal (lower-ranking) -*Nobles* were descendants of *Barbarians* and constantly at *war* -Land (Fief) exchanged for military service -Oath of loyalty (Fealty) d) Governed across Europe; established how decisions were being made and who was the boss although depends on noble hierarchy

Middle Ages

a) Refers to the medieval period; historically, only concerns Europe from 5th-14th century -Other civilizations more advanced; some more lagging behind -Has to do with how people looked at time period; not seen as particularly glorious; seen as a step back regarding culture, knowledge, and advancement b) From the Fall of the Roman Empire to the Renaissance (aka the Early Modern Period) c) Between the Classical Ages (of Greece/Rome) and Early Modern Ages

Byzantium (aka Byzantine Empire)

a) Reorientation towards Greek culture -Gradually, Latin falls by waist side; Greek brought back into use; growing separation between eastern orthodox and Roman Christianity in the West which become more estranged from one another b) Orthodox Christianity c) *Muslim attacks* after 632: Centuries-long struggle against neighboring Muslims; causes Empire to continue to shrink until left to just city of Constantinople d) Fall of Constantinople to the *Turks* in 1453

Middle Ages/Medieval Period

a) time period that involves a mix of Roman, Christian, and Barbarian culture -Roman Empire doesn't completely fall; *endures in the eastern* portion (as Byzantine Empire) and western portion doesn't disappear overnight but undergoes a lengthy transformation; *changes when Christianity* becomes the dominant religion -Christian religion plays an important role in the development of Europe -Barbarian culture fused with Roman history and Christian civilization; adds it own distinctive components to it; takes over Western portion of the Roman Empire

Mongol Empire

an empire founded in the 12th century by Genghis Khan, which reached its greatest territorial extent in the 13th century, encompassing the larger part of Asia and extending westward to the Dnieper River in eastern Europe.

11th-century papacy was very ambitious; popes saw themselves as the rulers of Christendom; had ambition of *unifying European Christians* under their rule and *liberating holy places* of Christianity from Muslim rule

cause of the Crusades

-Barbarian invasions occur 4-5th centuries of Rome; ultimately resulted in fall of Roman Empire; invasions of various Germanic Barbarian tribes; massive migration put on the Roman front and gradually takes it over -Goths: splits into Visigoths and Ostrogoths; Angles and Saxons who attack British Isles, the Franks, etc; tribes all part of the *Germanic Barbarian* culture; likely had same origin and cultural commonalities; *similar language and religious* beliefs but still a *very disparate* group of tribes and clans

explain the Barbarian invasions and the fall of Rome

Manorialism (Manor System)

land-owning knights allowed peasants, serfs, to farm on their land in return for payments of food -Peasants commonly referred to as a serfs bc they generally didn't work on their own land; little better off than slaves

Motte and Bailey Castle

the original medieval castle set up in time of the Vikings; were very humble-looking; used to defend against Vikings and put up their livestock and serfs to outlast an attack (Vikings usually gone within a few hours); had a moat; made of wood and easily burned to ground

Orthodox Christianity

the religion of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which split from Catholicism during the Byzantine Empire

Early Modern Period

the time period of 1450 - 1750 (it is called this because events occurring in this time directly shape regional/political units of todays world)

1) Produced culture of *medieval chivalry*- code of behavior for knights; had picked up Middle East behavior that was brought back to Europe; how a knight should behave particularly around women 2) *Decline of feudalism* bc so many nobelmen went on these crusades and never comes back; consolidation of noblemen who commanded larger pieces of territory and have more power and control; eliminates many of the lower rankings among the nobility

two main social consequences of the crusades