Download Medieval Europe at Its Height

The Crusades
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Before 1100 AD. Europe’s economic conditions
was based on
Agriculture
 Warfare
 Government (decentralized) Feudalism
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From 1051-1270 AD we have a change
Now a central Government
Larger crops (New technology-feed the armies)
Growth of Population
A change in the Church’s power over the
people
And this is the topic for the day
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Jerusalem- is a holy city for 3 religions
Jews—site of the ancient temple built by Solomon
 Christians– Jesus was crucified and resurrected
 Muslims– Muhammad ascended to heaven from
here
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In the 600 AD. Jerusalem and Palestine fell to
Arab Invaders
These invaders mostly Muslims tolerated other
religions
In late 1000’s AD. The SELJUK TURKS took
control of the city and closed it to Jews and
Christians—The also threatened to attack the
Byzantine Empire especially the City of
Constantinople
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In 1095 AD. The Pope Urban II asked for an
army to expel the Seljuk Muslims from
Jerusalem
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When now that time was at hand which the Lord Jesus daily points out to His
faithful, especially in the Gospel, saying, "If any man would come after me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross and follow me," a mighty agitation was carried
on throughout all the region of Gaul. (Its tenor was) that if anyone desired to
follow the Lord zealously, with a pure heart and mind, and wished faithfully to
bear the cross after Him, he would no longer hesitate to take up the way to the
Holy Sepulchre.
And so Urban, Pope of the Roman see, with his archbishops, bishops, abbots, and
priests, set out as quickly as possible beyond the mountains and began to deliver
sermons and to preach eloquently, saying: "Whoever wishes to save his soul
should not hesitate humbly to take up the way of the Lord, and if he lacks
sufficient money, divine mercy will give him enough." Then the apostolic lord
continued, "Brethren, we ought to endure much suffering for the name of Christ misery, poverty, nakedness, persecution, want, illness, hunger, thirst, and other
(ills) of this kind, just as the Lord saith to His disciples: 'Ye must suffer much in My
name,' and 'Be not ashamed to confess Me before the faces of men; verily I will give
you mouth and wisdom,' and finally, 'Great is your reward in Heaven."' And when
this speech had already begun to be noised abroad, little by little, through all the
regions and countries of Gaul, the Franks, upon hearing such reports, forthwith
caused crosses to be sewed on their right shoulders, saying that they followed with
one accord the footsteps of Christ, by which they had been redeemed from the
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If I was a peasant why would I join the army?
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Freedom from Feudalism
Knights—chance to fight, wealth and
adventure
All were promised immediate salvation in
heaven if they were killed
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Red crosses of cloth were stitched onto clothing
as a symbol of service to God
Atmosphere at this time
A
hatred of Muslims
 A hatred of Jews as well
 Anyone who wasn’t a Christian was hated, therefore
on their way down to Jerusalem the Crusades killed
many Jews along the way
The First Crusades
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1096 AD begins the 1st
Crusades
French, English, Spain,
Germany (FEGS)
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All quarreled along the way
1099 reach Jerusalem
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In 2 months the city fell by
siege
 Surround and don’t let
anything in or out.
 Mostly Muslims and Jews
were killed.
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Many Crusader stayed and
set-up feudalistic type
societies in Syria and
Palestine
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is one major
factor that ended
the cultural
isolation of
western Europe
Muslin Unification
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In 1144 Muslims
scored a victory at
Edessa
Papacy proclaims a
2nd Crusade in 1145
King of France Louis
VII and Conrad III
(HRE) set out in
1147
Germans left first,
French a Month later
Germans
ambushed—most
killed--Anatolia
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French also suffered
serious casualties along
the way
Reached Jerusalem by
1148
Failed in attack upon
Damascus and returned
to Europe
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF
FAITH
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Failure of 2nd Crusade
allowed Muslim powers
to regroup under
Saladin
Muslim state extended
from Libyan desert to
the Tigris Valley
Crusaders states are
surrounded on 3 fronts
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3rd Crusade
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Kings Crusade
1189 Pope Gregory
VIII proclaims a 3rd
Crusade
Widespread support
Frederick I (German
HRE)
Philip II (France)
Richard I (England)
Saladin-Muslim unification after 2nd Crusade
Captured Jerusalem in 1187—Sparked 3rd Crusade
A Christian Blockade forced the surrender of Acre
in 1191
An armistice was signed with Richard I in 1192
Terms: Reestablishes a Christian State in Middle
East without ceding Jerusalem
Does allow Christian access to Jerusalem
Acre is found in Present-Day Israel—seaport near
Haifa ( Christian Nation)
Warring against his father Henry II—was to
become brother –in-law to Phillip II of France
Richard and Phillip quarreled from the beginning
of the 3rd Crusades
Upon capturing Acre, Richard executed 2700
POW’s (chopped the bodies up)
Captured upon his return to England by Henry IV
(HRE) (German) paid a heavy ransom
Captured by Duke Leopold of Austria
Duke Leopold went on crusade
Left because Richard made fun of him
Called him “The Sponge” because of his drinking
Revenge Capture
English Nobles pay ransom because they do not like King
John (bro of Richard). King John has been taxing, taking
land , and imprisoning the nobles.
Richard makes peace with his brother John I, who has been
conspiring in his absence with Phillip II of France
He was killed by an arrow in an
insignificant skirmish (Charles of Aquitaine)
A peasant found a small treasure—vassal
claimed it---Richard claimed it over him—
fighting breaks out—sieges the village—
Richard shot from a bowman in the
shoulder—infection---dies
One of the most powerful monarchs of the middle ages
Returned to France from the 3rd Crusade in 1191
Allied w/ Henry IV and John I vs. Richard I
Went to war Vs. John I—doubled land holdings
Established French superiority in Europe
German Leader
Holy Roman Emperor
Lead 3rd Crusade—Drowns in Asia Minor—German knights
begin retreat---Many die of plague or are killed in attempt to
return
Faced difficulty w/ the Pope (Alexander III) and the
Lombard League in Italy—Lost at Legnano—preventing
solidification of Empire in Italy
Other crusades followed, none successfully winning
permanent Christian control of Palestine
4th Crusade was plagued by financial difficulties leading to
the shameless plundering of Constantinople
1212– One of the most unusual Crusades was the Children’s
Crusade
lacked official sanction—led by young French
Sheppard Steven of Cloges—insidred by a vision
Marched to Paris to convince Phillip II to sponsor—sent
them home
Led an unconventional Crusade—being pressured and
excommunicated by Gregory IX (Pope) ventured into the
Holy land in 1228
His Crusade was conducted almost entirely by diplomatic
means
Negotiated w/Egyptian sultan Al-Kamil
Peace Treaty resulted in restoring Jerusalem to the
Crusaders and guaranteeing 10 years of peaceful coexistence
Nevertheless Frederick was the object of revulsion and the
Pope proclaimed a Crusade against his Italian possessions
1208—Pope Innocent’s Crusade vs. the Albigensians
(France)
Never did bring them under control
Another large group of Crusaders depart from Cologne
under the leadership of Nicholas--Most Crusades disappeared without a trace
By 1291 Acre—Last Christian stronghold was lost to a
Muslim invasion—all are slaughtered –Religious motivation
forgotten
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Bolstered commerce of Italian cities (Venice, Genoa)
Generates interest in exploration of the orient
Establishes trade markets of enduring importance
Laid foundation for process of colonization
Systems of direct taxation developed as financing
measures
Feudalism breaks down
King power increases
Classical texts brought to West from Byzantium
Technology advances--diffusion
Increased agricultural production was significant
sparked by new plow and horse harness as well as
the 3 field system
This phenomenon resulted n tremendous
population growth
Economic diversity
Towns developed and trade expanded
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Italian cities monopolized trade with the
Mediterranean
Flanders (Northern France) became the trade
center on Europe’s northern coast (region not a
city)
Traded in textiles with European markets
It shortly became a cultural center as well
Elevated to a leading position in European
Civilization
The commodities available became more and
more diverse—this was even more pronounced
during a TRADE FAIR
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Fairs—occasional meetings of buyers and
sellers for the purpose of trade—Originally
held in conjunction with a religious festival
The fairs at Champagne (France) were the most
famous
Fairs sometimes were established for particular
kinds of goods (cattle) others dealt in general
merchandise
Some fairs involved LABOR EXCHANGES—
domestic or agricultural servants hired
themselves out for a year
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At times pleasure fairs were held in
conjunction with commercial fairs
Location was determined by access
Feudal lords profited through—taxing sales
and licensing merchants
Champagne was centrally located in Europe
Its fairs lasted for more than a month
European merchants found the BARTER
SYSTEM impractical, and soon required a
common medium of exchange
The emergence of a MONEY Economy led to
the need for a banking system
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Were to provide money exchanges
The Jews and Italians frequently worked as
money changers
Banks soon came to develop methods for
transferring funds from one place to another
Banks provided: receiving deposits, providing
loans
The word bank comes from BANCA or
BENCH that money changers set up at Trade
Fairs
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Depended on location---near roads and
waterways
They were protected from attack by
fortification
Structures were wooden and subject to fire
Lack of sanitation was a problem--Disease
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Also known as the “Black Death” 1348-1350
Buboes—swelling of the lymph glands
Spread by rats infested with fleas
Increased trade makes the epidemic possible
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Guilds designed to create monopoly of local
markets for members
Monopoly? Why they are illegal
Any legal monopolies? Why?
Guilds restrict trading of foreigners in their
markets and fixed prices uniformly
Craft guilds also oversee the work of artisans
Strict rules concerning prices, wages,
employment
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Craft guilds controlled by masters—own shops
and tools of the trade
Apprentices worked for masters without pay
for a specified time
After a time became a paid journeyman
Journeyman would submit a masterpiece to the
guild for evaluation—then became a master
Guilds did provide benefits—unemployment
assistance, social activities, medical relief
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Name for the evolving middle Class—
Bourgeosie
Was derived from name for medieval town—
burg
Initially a reference to all town dwellers
It came to mean anyone who made money
through the money economy that was
emerging
Merchants, bankers, artisans—not dependent
on land to make money
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As money economy became established,
monarchs relied upon this tax base for
support—thus their political influence grew as
well
Feudal Lords vs. Middle Class
The middle class wants autonomy (self-rule)
Monarchs support this why? Tax
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Monarchs grant Independence—autonomy
thru Charters—city can have autonomy but
must understand that they are still part of a
larger kingdom
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Not emphasized in medieval society
Illiteracy was the norm
Education was controlled by the clergy—
provided monasteries and cathedral schools
As the demand for education increased with
development of towns—Universities were
formed
Universities—educators organized along the
lines of a guild
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Classes held in existing structures—churches—
text are scarce
Many of the emerging universities were
modeled after the law school in Bologna, Italy
Most providing legal or medical education
Bologna—oldest in the world—Dante studied
here
Curriculum at most universities included Latin
classics, Roman law, philosophy (Aristotle),
Islamic sciences
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Application of Aristotle's philosophy
controversial
When incorporated with theological study—
Scholasticism-Emphasis upon reason as well as faith in
interpretation of Christian Doctrine
Most important scholastic teacher—Taught in
Paris—Thomas Aquinas
Greatest work: Summa Theologica—Reason is
a gift from God that should be applied
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The emphasis upon education spurred
publication of songs and epics in the Middle
Ages
One of the earliest was Beowulf—handed
down by oral tradition the Anglo-Saxon Epic—
author unknown—Poet—written in 700AD
Mead hall—Danish king seeks help of an
Anglo-Saxon Warrior vs. Grendel—Monster
French Epic: Songs of Roland—story of defense
of Christianity by Charlemagne's knights
Troubadours—traveling poet musicians-create
stories of love and heroic knights
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Medieval literature was beginning to be
written in vernacular instead of Latin
The use of vernacular makes literature more
accessible to the public
Some of the most outstanding literature written
in vernacular includes Dante Alighieri
The Divine Comedy
Epic poem written in Italian—Afterlife journey
from Heaven to Hell (trilogy)
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Geoffrey Chaucer—The Canterbury Tales—
English
Allegories--literary technique in which
characters or events are representations of
abstract concepts—emotions, vices, etc…
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The development of
Romanesque architecture
Combination of Roman and
Byzantine features
Primarily found in Churches
Chars: Thick walls, close set
columns, heavy curved arches,
small windows
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Begins in France
Flying buttresses, stone, weight bearing beams
extending from the walls—allows walls to be
thinner—large stain glass windows
Ceilings supported by pointed arches allowing
for higher ceilings
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1337 to 1453 England vs. France
Causes: 1066—Hastings—William of
Normandy (NW France) invades and conquers
England
His successors to the English throne see
themselves as rulers of part of France as well
English control over French lands increase—
Henry II marries Eleanor of Aquitaine (SW
France)
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English King has more influence in France than
the French Kings
Tide turns with the reign of Philip II—many
defeats over John I of England lead to French
conquest of English territory in France
Rivalry between French and English
monarchies reaches a head when French King
(last Capetian ruler) dies without leaving a heir
to the throne in 1328
Edward III of England (1312-1377) is grandson
to Charles IV, The Fair of France 
Edward claims right to the throne
The French successor-A great
Nephew—quietly mobilizes his
Forces in preparation for war
(Philip VI)
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The first major confrontation was at Crecy
1346, Aug. 26—English had 3,900 Knights,
11,000 archers, and 5,000 infantry
French had: 12,000 Knights, 6,000 crossbow,
and 20,000 infantry
French advantages: greater population, wealth
English advantages: popular & governmental
support and military leadership
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Crecy-small village located in NE France
(Flanders) French superiority in numbers was
about 2:1
16 French charges
More important was the advantage in mounted
knights but the English long bow made the
French advantage negligible
Armor piercing capability made mounted
knights far less significant
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2 other weapons of importance to emerge at
this time: pike (Braveheart) and a crude form of
the canon
Gun powder?
The defeat at Crecy in conjunction with other
disruptive factors in France
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Plague
Peasant Revolt
Lead to a brief period of English domination
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In 1415 at Agincourt the English once again
triumphed over superior French numbers 4:1
(25,000 Fr. vs. 6,000 Eng.)
Henry V of England vs. Charles d’ Albret of
France
Agincourt as very near Crecy—The victory was
directed by English King Henry V
Once again longbow men are a key factor
Heavily armored French caught in mud after
the rains
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In 1420 Northern France to Henry VI of
England
Southern France to Charles VII of France
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The fortunes of the French will be reversed by
the unlikely leadership of a young peasant girl.
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In 1429, a mere teenager, she went to the
French King (Charles, who had not yet been
crowned) persuading him that she be allowed
to command the troops
Her claim was that she had been ordained for
this task by God—she experienced visions of
Saints
Charles administered tests of her credibility
and then conceded to her wishes
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A decisive French victory at Orleans (Battle of
Patay)
This was followed by other French victories
Joan was with Charles VII (1429) when he was
crowned at Reims Cathedral
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In 1430, Joan was captured by French rivals of
the King, sold to the English
Tried as a witch and heretic
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Burned at the stake
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Last battle 1453
French victory
Battle of Castillon
Joan of Arc’s signature
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Physical destruction in France (where most of
the War was fought)
Contributes to a spirit of unity in both
countries
The collapse of feudalism was accelerated
Firearms and long bow made importance of
mounted knights obsolete
Monarchs replaced feudal knights with hired
national armies—funded by taxes from lower
nobility and townspeople
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Charles VII emerges from 100 Years War with a
strong monarchy
Louis XI looks to further the power of the
monarchy
Takes control of lands held by French nobility
(Burgundy)
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Charles wanted to restart the 100 Yrs. War and
split France’s kingdom with English Edward
IV…Edward takes a bribe from Louis XI of
France and stops fighting
Charles the Bold (allied with Edward IV of
England) ruler of Burgundy killed in battle
with the Swiss (The Swiss were allied to
France)
Northern half (Flanders) goes to Charles’
daughter, Mary
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She marries a Hapsburg – Maximilian of
Austria HRE—Her kingdom goes to France
Other half is absorbed by the French monarchy
Louis XI left France strong and unified—
strengthening the bureaucracy and promoting
trade and agriculture
Define bureaucracy---non-elected government
officials
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1455-1487
Richard of York was put in charge of King
Henry VI because of his mental illness
(Protector of the Realm)
Henry VI promises the throne to the Yorks
Richard’s son Edward IV named king
Henry VI denies giving the throne to the Yorks
and asks help from his relatives—Lancasters
Henry VI is imprisoned and killed by Richard
of York
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1483 Edward IV dies (Bro. Richard murdered
him along with his other brother Clarence)
Also kills Edward IV’s two sons (Edward V
and Richard)(Sent to Tower of London for
“protection”)
Becomes Richard III
Richard III battles Henry Tudor (Lancaster)
White Rose represents the Yorks and Red Rose
represents the Lancasters
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Richard III battles Henry Tudor and loses at the
Battle of Bosworth Field in 1487
Richard is killed in battle—last English king to
be killed in battle
Henry Tudor becomes Henry VII (Tudor
Dynasty) which will last for more than 100
years
Henry VII eliminates rivals, strengthen trade,
avoids foreign wars, asserts monarchy’s
authority over nobles
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Emerges as a European power in the late 1400’s
Had asserted authority on the Iberian
peninsula
Retaking land conquered by the Muslims even
before the Crusades
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Portugal (West)
Castile (Central)
Aragon (Mediterranean Coast)
Only Granada in the South remained in the
hands of the Moors
1469 Ferdinand & Isabella marry—he of
Aragon—she of Castile
The Kingdoms maintained separate
governments however…..
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The power of the monarchs were limited
Sizeable religious minorities in each Kingdom
(Jews and Muslims) made their own laws and
elected their own officials
Royal charters allowed towns to maintain their
own courts and customs
Noble assemblies (Cortes) were permitted to
review royal policies
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The monarchs began to solidify power in
Castille
Royal officials governed towns and royal
courts enforced law
In 1492 the conquest of Granada began a
crackdown on religious minorities forcing
conversion to Catholicism or exile from Spain
The Spanish Inquisition enforced Catholic law
further strengthening the authority of the
monarchs
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Contributing factors included the
strengthening of the monarchy and growing
educated middle class began questioning the
teaching of the Church
Babylonian Captivity—weakens papal
authority
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1305—Under the influence of the French
Monarchy—French Archbishops elected Pope
Clement V (French)
He moves the papacy from Rome to Avignon,
France
His reason was to escape the Italian Civil War
The Pope only appointed French Bishops as
Cardinals, Clement and his French successors
remain in Avignon until 1377
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Those outside of France become suspicious of
the Pope and the influence of the French
Monarchy
Papacy is criticized too for becoming overly
concerned with Church taxes---seen as
corrupted by worldly power and neglecting
spiritual duties
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1377 Gregory XI leaves Avignon for Rome
Following his death Roman mobs insist upon
the election of an Italian Pope (Urban IV)
Afterwards the election was declared invalid—
having voted under duress
When the Cardinals elected a second pope,
(Innocent VI-French) both now claim
legitimacy—causing division and undermining
papal authority until it was resolved in 1414
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Political leaders and church scholars began to
demand reform—The Church reforms through
a Church Council
Problems with this method included
Since Pope calls council, little chance of Pope’s
authority being reduced
Different political leaders support different
Popes making it impossible to agree upon a
council site
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In 1409 a Council at Pisa called to determine a
single Pope—RESULT a third Pope (Gregory
XII)
1414 a council meets at Constance, Germany—
forcing the resignation of all 3 and electing
Martin V—this ends the Great Schism
Had seriously weakened the Papal authority in
favor of monarchs
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People criticize abuses by the Church
Simony—the buying and selling of church
positions
Indulgences—selling of reduction of a person’s
time in purgatory or reduction of punishment
for a sin
The call for reform was led by a scholar from
Oxford
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Criticized the Church on
Church wealth
Corrupt clergy
Absolute authority of the Pope
Called for a secular control of immoral clergy
Believed bible sole source of religious truth—
translated the Bible into English
Wycliffe’s followers are called Lollards (French
for Hypocrite)
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Another reformer from Bohemia (Czech)
Church officials there were German
Church condemned him—persuaded to come
to Council at Constance
Was burned at the stake
Church launches Crusades vs. Hussites
Was unsuccessful
Compromise reached
Hus’ influence inspires later challenges to
Church authority
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King of England—Writes a pamphlet attacking
Martin Luther—”Defender of the Church”
Henry married his brother’s widow—
Catherine of Aragon—6 children—only one
survives
Love match with Anne Boleyn—a court beauty
Asks pope to dissolve marriage—NO
Henry appoints new Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop dissolves marriage
He marries Anne
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Has Parliament sign the ACT OF SUPREMACY
Henry VIII is the supreme leader of the English
Church
He beheaded Anne and then Married Jane
Seymour
Anne had a daughter Elizabeth
Catherine had a daughter “Bloody Mary”
Jane had a son Edward