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Chapter 8: The High Middle Ages
Section 1: The Crusades
European Christians launched a series of religious wars called the Crusades during the Middle
Ages. The goal of each war was to take the Holy Land.
By the late 100s, Muslims had taken control of Jerusalem, Persia and Southwest Asia. This led
Pope Urban II to call Church leaders to the Council of Clermont. He called on Christians to
fight against the Turks.
Two groups: peasants and knights set out on the First Crusade in 1096. Some Crusaders in
Germany decided to fight the Jews located there. It took them about three years to reach
Jerusalem. The Crusaders would defeat a well armed Muslim army and set up Christian states in
the Holy Land.
By 1144, the Muslims had started to regain control of land that they had lost in the First
Crusade, including Edessa, the capital of a Crusader state. The Second Crusade would be started
in 1147. It was a failure.
Saladin would gain control in the Muslim world and set out to take back Crusader states. He
succeeded in driving Christians out of Jerusalem. Saladin’s friend, Richard the Lion Hearted,
decided to attack. Richard was unable to take back the Holy Land and the Crusade ended in a
draw.
In 1201, Christians attempted to take back Jerusalem once again. They were very disorganized
and angry so when they reached Constantinople they decided to loot the city. There would be
give other Crusades but they were unsuccessful as well. By 1291, Muslims had completely
driven Christians out of the Holy Land.
Section 2: Trade and Towns
Italians were the first people to have a good economy in Medieval Europe. They traded all
across the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. This led to the growth of Italy. They traded things
such as silk and spices.
Trade encouraged people to use money. Some merchants allowed people to buy goods on credit.
This led to the creation of banks.
Advances in farm technology contributed to the move to cities. New technologies included:
wind mill, plow, and water mill. Towns were run by lords who charged whatever they wanted to
in taxes. By 1300, Paris and Rome each had 100,000 residents.
Craftspeople organized themselves into guilds. One primary function of a guild was to restrict
competition. Guilds set standards and prices for their products. They also trained children in
their craft. You started out as an apprentice then worked your way up to master.
Most Middle Ages cities were very dirty. Streets were narrow and contained many buildings.
Animals as well as people crowded city streets. Disease, fire, and crime were the main dangers.
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Section 3: Art and Culture of the Middle Ages
Many writings of the Middle Ages dealt with religion. People wrote things such as the way
people should live their lives to their own interpretation of the Holy Bible. Epics and romances
were other popular writing choices of the day. These poems were performed by troubadours.
These poems were written in the vernacular, the everyday language.
Scientific research was also important during the Middle Ages. Alchemy, an early form of
chemistry was practiced. They would try to do such things as turn base metals (lead) into gold.
Universities also started to spring up around Europe. Subjects such as Latin grammar, logic,
and astronomy. The most influential scholar of the time was Thomas Aquinas. He studied
Greek works and argued that both reason and faith were necessary for an understanding of truth.
This is known as Scholasticism.
Section 4: Challenges of the Late Middle Ages
One issue facing the Church in the High Middle Ages was heresy or beliefs that opposed the
official teachings of the Church. The Church was really worried about this so they decided to
deal with it in a couple of ways.
The primary method was inquisitions. These were legal procedures supervised by special
judges. They also tried to fight heresy through Christian education. People called friars
traveled around spreading Christian ideals. They also took vows of poverty and obedience.
Political leaders wanted to gain power and one of the ways they would try this was by waging
war. The French king died in 1328. The English wanted to rule both England and France. By
1337, Edward III invaded France starting the Hundred Years’ War.
England would have the early hand in the war until 1429 when Joan of Arc came along. She
claimed that God told her to lead the French into battle. Her troops even won a big victory at
Orleans. She would then be captured and put to death. Charles VII rallied his troops and the
French took back the land they had lost to the English. The war would end by 1453.
Two families, Lancasters and Yorks would start to fight leading to the War of the Roses,
which started in 1453. At first the Yorkists were successful but that would change after Edward
IV died. After numerous uprisings Henry VII would rise to power by 1487, ending the war.
The Black Death devastated Europe from 1347 to 1351. It is still unknown what it actually was
and what caused it. It is believed that it existed in two forms: bubonic and pneumonic plague. It
was passed around by humans and animals.
If a person became infected, they would have large dark splotches on the skin. You would also
have high fever, vomitting and severe headaches. The Black Death meant certain death and most
people would die within a few days. 25 million people died as a result (one third of the
population).
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