Download High Middle Ages - Eagan High School

High Middle Ages
1000 - 1350
Birth of a European Civilization
Why the High Middle Ages?
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Development of effective
form of government
– Systems of
Government
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End of invasions
Agricultural inventions
– Plow
– Horse collar
– 3-field system
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Role of the Church
Medieval Society
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Feudalism
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Local government
– Personal relationships
– Landowning nobility
Lords --> Vassals
– Relationship among equals
Mutual obligations/duties
Effects
Medieval Hierarchy
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3 Orders:
– Those who fought
– Those who prayed
– Those who worked
Manorialism
Medieval Society
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Manor
Village vs. Homestead
– Why?
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Serfs
– “Bound to the Land”
– Benefits?

Peasants
Lord
Vassals
Serfs
Serfs
Life on a Medieval Manor
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What do you see depicted?
Religion
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Christianity
– The Church
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Foundation of
Medieval Society
– Birth to Death
Role of Religion

The “Medieval Mind”
– Hierarchy: Primacy of
the other world over
this world
– True meaning - God

Pilgrimages, relics, cult
of the virgin
– Key Intellectual issue:

How can I know about
God?
– Faith/revelation
Role of Religion

The Church as an
Institution
– Unifier
– Mediator
– Economic Power
– Papal Power
Rise of New Elements

Medieval Society
– Vibrant and dynamic
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New elements will threaten stability
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–
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Rise of Feudal Monarchs
Rise of Trade
Social Changes
Education
Rise of Feudal Monarchs
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Medieval kings - cooperation
– Military support
– Advisory Councils
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Attempt to increase power by:
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–
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–
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Examples?
Hereditary title
Royal officials
Taxation
Control of bishops
Support of towns
Theme: Monarch vs. nobility
– Men in Tights
Philip II (1165-1223)
Magna Carta: Limits on Power

King John I (1164-1216)
– Reigned (1199-1216)
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Oppressive rule

English barons rebel
– Demand constitutional
reform
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June, 1215: Runnymede
– Forced to sign Magna Carta
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Symbol of sovereignty of
law
Law applies to king as
well as everyone else
Economic Revival
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Rise of Trade
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–
–
–
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Early M. Ages: Manor
East-West Trade
Medieval Fairs
Emergence of money
Limited Industry

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Craftsmen
Growth of Towns
– 1100: 20 or 30 miles
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Dramatic growth
– Corporate liberties
– Battle lords
Economic Revival

Feudalism weakens
– Italy: City-states
– HRE: Imperial free
cities
– France/England:
Charters of liberty

Formation of Leagues
– Hanse

Which countries will
develop strong
national monarchies?
Hanseatic Merchant Ship
Economic Revival

Emergence of
Merchant Class
– “Misfits”

Medieval View of
Wealth
– “Just Price”
Medieval Cities
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Town life vs. Manor
–
–
–
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Less comfortable
Less sanitary
More dangerous
Opportunities!
Economic Solidarity
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Protective Measures
– Restrictions on sale of
food
– Prohibition of certain
trades in the country
– Tariffs
– Fees
– Formation of Guilds
Guild System

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Purpose: Exercise monopoly of power over marketing
and business activities of their town
Examples
MASTER
JOURNEYMAN
APPRENTICE
Social Changes
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Upward mobility
Serfs --> Townspeople
– Serfdom disappears
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Middle Class
Money vs. Land
Medieval Education
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Renewed interest in
learning
– Re-discovery of
classical learning
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Byzantines/Muslims
Universities
– Developed from
Cathedral Schools
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Balogna
Sorbonne
Oxford
Oxford University
Medieval Education
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Faith vs. Reason
– St. Thomas Aquinas
(1225?-1274)
– “The Dumb Ox”
– Scholasticism
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Reconcile Classical
learning with Christian
theology
– “Summa Theologica”
New Elements - Rising Tensions
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Feudal kings vs.
nobility
Church vs. feudal
kings
Middle Class vs.
nobility
Secularism vs. religion