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(Tiered Learning; Student Choices; Technology & Hands-On Emphasis)
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
Medieval Times
#1.
MEDIEVAL TIMES: GENERAL INFORMATION
1.
Most historians agree that the Middle Ages lasted from AD 500 to AD1500.
This period of time is also called “Medieval Times”. Medieval comes from
the Latin word for ‘medium’ (medius) and ‘age’ (aevum) means “from the
Middle Age”.
2.
The first part of this time period has been named the “Dark Ages” due to the
‘light of learning’ being almost snuffed out. It was the religious men and
women, the monks and nuns, that kept learning alive through volumes upon
volumes of written books in the libraries of their monasteries and convents.
3.
Evidence from the Middle Ages time period is all around us today—medieval
towns, castles, churches, books and documents, ships and wagons, artifacts,
jewelry, and weapons still survive. Even in the area of entertainment, we
have movies from this time period as well as realistic theme dinner theaters
where the participants wield weapons while riding on horseback.
4.
The feudal period in Europe began soon after the fall of the Roman Empire
and reached its height around 1100. The feudal society was a self-contained
and self-sufficient community. It was made up of the home of the lord, a
church, one or more villages, and some 800 to 2200 acres of farm land
(depending on the size of the fief given). A large manor would probably have
a mill for grinding grain, an oven for baking bread, a wine or oil press, fish
ponds, orchards, and gardens. Food, linen, and woolen textiles, garments,
and leather were produced.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#1.
5.
MEDIEVAL TIMES: GENERAL INFORMATION
The decline and demise of the feudalism was due to several factors:
1) The nobility who participated in the Crusades many times did not return;
2) The ‘Black Death’ wiped out a large part of the feudal work force---those
who survived were able to demand higher wages;
3) Wealthy merchants in the towns who had never been a part of the feudal
system contributed to its break-up;
4) The development of guns and gunpowder, which made the nobles’ castles
easier to penetrate and could actually be invaded from without.
#2.
BARBARIAN & VIKING INVASIONS
6.
Germanic tribes from northern & central Europe poured over Roman
borders, collapsing the western half of the empire in AD476 when the last
western emperor, Augustulus, was overthrown. Their invading armies
numbered from 10,000 to 300,000. These people changed the old way of
Roman life forever. The chief of a Germanic tribe was the strongest and
bravest warrior.
7.
In ancient times the Roman Empire protected much of western Europe. But
after its collapse, barbarian invaders claimed parts of the empire and kept
their own languages and laws---doing away with all that held the Roman
Empire together. Even reading and writing were in danger of vanishing.
This was due to the many invading groups not able to do either. Hence, the
nickname of the beginning of this time period through approx. the year 1000
as the “Dark Ages”.
8.
Justice was served by a person declaring their innocence and agreeing to one
of two trials:
1) Trial by Combat: If you beat your accuser in a fight, you were innocent.
If your accuser killed you, then you were guilty.
2) Trial by Ordeal: You might have to put your hand into a roaring fire or
pick up a stone from the bottom of a boiling pot. If your wounds healed
without infection, you were innocent; otherwise you were guilty. Also,
you could have your hands and feet tied together and be thrown into deep
water. If you floated right away, you were guilty. If you sank, you were
innocent. (Hopefully, someone rescued you before you drowned.)
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#2.
BARBARIAN & VIKING INVASIONS
9.
Rome was ransacked, looted, and parts of it destroyed by the Visigoths in
AD410 and by the Vandals in AD455. (We use the word vandal today to
mean “a person who willfully or ignorantly destroys or mars something
beautiful or valuable; engaging in an act of vandalism”.) (Do you see the
connection?)
10.
Despite the collapse of the western Roman Empire in AD476, the eastern
empire continued to prosper. During the reign of Justinian (527-565), it
even managed to regain land that was lost to the barbarians.
11.
The fiercest and most savage attacks against Western Europe were made
from the Vikings---savage warriors from present-day Denmark, Sweden,
Norway (Scandinavia). Their name actually means “sea rover”. Their
attacks began around 700-800 and continued for more than 300 years. The
Vikings looted towns and murdered the people living in them---man, woman,
child. It was a horrible thing to fall into the hands of the Vikings.
12.
The Vikings developed great shipbuilding and sailing skills. Their warship
was called a “longship”---some 65-75 feet in length and at times as long as
180 feet. It had one sail and was propelled by 10-50 men on each side who
pulled 18 feet long oars.
13.
The Viking longships were only 6 feet or so deep and had widths of 6 to 8
feet. They were light, sleek, stable, and easy to maneuver. They were built to
hold 60 to 100 men or more. They had a decorated figurehead of a dragon or
wild beast on the front.
14.
The Vikings conducted raids and plundered European village after village.
Further raids followed, terrorizing coastal regions of Western Europe for
200-300 years. At first the Vikings—as these Norsemen, Danes, and Swedes
are known---went in search of ‘plunder’, but later they took large armies
abroad to conquer new lands.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#2.
BARBARIAN & VIKING INVASIONS
15.
Eric the Red and Leif Ericson were two very well known Viking explorers
who sailed and searched for new things and places. Leif Ericson was said to
have reached North America nearly 500 years before Columbus in the year
1000. He sailed to a place he called Vinland, meaning “wineland”. But not
meaning grapes or wine. Instead, in the Viking language Viney meant
‘pasture’ or ‘meadow’. Perhaps, Leif was meaning that this area reminded
him of large pastures and meadows. (Some scholars believe that Vinland was
located somewhere near Newfoundland today.)
16.
The Vikings believed in many different gods and goddesses. The main two
were Odin, god of war and wisdom, and Thor, god of thunder and patron of
peasants and warriors. Vikings believed that their gods lived in Valhalla, the
Viking heaven, where they held great feasts and celebrations. (The Vikings
believed that Valkyries, female warriors, searched the battlefield for dead
heroes who could join the gods.)
#3.
The BYZANTINE EMPIRE
17.
The Roman Empire in the West had ended, but a ‘New Rome’ lived on in the
East in the city of Constantinople---which is now known as Istanbul, Turkey.
18.
The name Byzantine comes from the ancient Greek town on which
Constantinople was built: Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων. This new “Byzantine
Empire” named after its capital city, Byzantium, survived against its many
enemies until 1453. That is when Constantinople finally fell to the Ottoman
Turks (Muslims).
19.
The Byzantine Empire was the center of Christianity in Eastern Europe.
Over the centuries, differences developed between the Patriarch of the
Eastern Orthodox Church, centered in Constantinople, and the Pope of the
Catholic Church, centered in Rome. Both claimed supremacy over each
other, and their two churches differed increasingly. The two churches could
not mend their differences and split into two parts in 1054. From then on the
two churches were often bitter enemies—only settling their differences in
1965.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#3.
The BYZANTINE EMPIRE
20.
One disagreement centered around icons, or holy pictures of Jesus (or
other saints) people looked at while they prayed. Some argued that was like
worshipping idols which was forbidden by God in the Ten Commandments.
In 726, Byzantine Emperor Leo ordered all icons to be destroyed. Byzantine
Empress Irene declared that icons could be used as long as people prayed to
God not to the icons.
21.
The Byzantines developed a secret weapon called “Greek Fire” which burned
even on water. When hurled against enemy ships, the ships immediately
caught fire. The burning-liquid weapon was largely responsible for many
Byzantine military victories. The formula was a secret and remains a
mystery to this day.
22.
Justinian was the greatest of the Byzantine emperors whose greatest
accomplishment was the preservation of Roman law----the Justinian Code.
It was built on Roman laws but was easier to understand.
23.
Justinian became emperor in 527 and conquered lands in Northern Africa
and Western Europe.
24.
Justinian had silkworm eggs and mulberry trees smuggled out of China
which ended China’s monopoly on silk trade.
25.
Justinian built new churches, roads, bridges, and aqueducts in
Constantinople. The greatest of these is the church of Hagia Sophia-which means “Holy Wisdom”.
26.
Theodora was the wife of Justinian and helped improve the lives of
Byzantine women by encouraging Justinian to make laws that were fairer
towards women. Theodora helped to choose government leaders---she felt
that people should be given jobs on ability rather than social status.
27.
Theodora was a circus performer during her early life---her father trained
bears at the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a horseracing track that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople. The
word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos, horse, and dromos, path or
way. Horse racing and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient
world and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#3.
28.
The BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Theodora and Justinian were both Christians even though they disagreed.
Justinian wanted a more orthodox, or official way of doing things, while
Theodora wanted more freedom for the people to worship other ways.
#4.
CHARLEMAGNE UNITES WESTERN EUROPE
29.
One group of Franks, claimed the area of Gaul (France), with a skilled
military leader named Charlemagne, who became King of the Franks. The
most important of all medieval kings was Charlemagne, which means
“Charles-the-Great”. He was a big man, 6ft. 3½ in. tall, and very strong. He
died at the age of 72---this was unusually long for someone in the Middle
Ages.
30.
Charlemagne spent much of his adult life at war and ruled for more than 45
years. By the end of his life, his kingdom included all of modern-day France,
Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland; much of Italy and Germany;
and a part of Spain. Europe would not see a kingdom equal in size to
Charlemagne’s for another 1000 years.
31.
Charlemagne was very intelligent but could not read or write (some
historians disagree in that some say he could read a little). However, very few
people during the Middle Ages could read and write—except for the clergy.
He wanted everyone to be able to read and learn so he sought out the best
teachers, established schools, and had rare books copied by hand for others
to read. He did everything he could to promote learning and culture. (Do
you want to learn that badly? Would you make that much effort to learn
something?)
32.
Charlemagne supported the Catholic Church and on Christmas Day in the
year 800, Pope Leo III placed a crown on Charlemagne’s head and crowned
him ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. The Song of Roland is an epic poem
about Charlemagne’s greatness and is still learned today by French students.
#5
33.
THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD
Mecca was a holy city of the Arabs because its temple, a gray stone building
named the Kaaba, contained sacred items---a meteor, called the Black Stone.
and the images of many gods and goddesses that the Arab people worshiped.
Having the Ka’ba in their town brought influence and income to the people
of Mecca.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#5
THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD
34.
Around 570-571, Muhammad was born in Mecca, Arabia (Saudi Arabia) just
a few months after his father died. Muhammad spent the first 6months of
his life in the Arabian dessert with nomads and then in the care of his
grandfather and uncle.
35.
At the age of 12, Muhammad joined a caravan as a camel driver. He
traveled to many places where Jews and Christians lived; he learned much
about their beliefs. At age 26 he married a wealthy widow named Khadijah.
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad at age 40, received some
revelations from God in a cave in the mountains. Said he had a vision where
the angel Gabriel told him he would be a messenger to humankind. Three
years after this event, he started preaching these revelations publicly.
Muhammad proclaimed that God is One; that complete surrender to Him is
man’s religion, and that he, himself, was a prophet and messenger of God--the same as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and other
prophets.
36.
Muhammad wanted his fellow Arabs to return to the worship of one God.
He felt that it was wrong to worship images of the Kaaba. He warned his
people that they would suffer God’s judgment unless they returned to the
worship of the one true God and lived better lives.
37.
Muhammad was well acquainted with Judaism and Christianity, and he
accepted their idea of worship of one God. He believed that he too was a
“messenger of God”, sent to his people to teach them the right way to live
and believe.
38.
Some of the townspeople in Mecca believed that Muhammad was a threat to
their economy and power. He had to flee from Mecca for his own personal
safety (some wanted to kill him) in 622 and went to another Arab city,
Medina. This “flight of Muhammad” is called the hegira, or departure, and
marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. It was here in Medina, not
Mecca, that Muhammad was able to convert many people to his religion.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#5
THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD
39.
Muhammad’s oral messages were written down by his followers and placed
in a holy book of Islam called the Koran (Quran). He later moved his
religious capital back to Mecca in 630 after Muhammad organized an
alliance of the tribes in Medina. His army of 10,000 attacked and defeated
those who resisted him. With Mecca captured after eight years of fighting,
he then smashed all the statues of gods in the Kaaba but kept the temple as a
place to worship the one true God, Allah.
40.
Muhammad died in 632; however, his religion lived on throughout the Arab
world. He had taught social justice where the rich and powerful would not
oppress the poor. Islam turned the Arab tribes into a powerful united force
that would conquer vast territories and establish a huge empire.
#6.
THE RISE & SPREAD OF ISLAM
41.
Early in the Muslim’s campaign of conversion, they attacked and captured
towns that in time became magnificent cities, with elegant mosques,
minarets, gardens, fountains and houses decorated with elaborate mosaics.
42.
Islam continued to grow and spread. Islamic armies overran the Persian
Empire in the east and Syria and Egypt in the west. In less than a hundred
years, the Muslim Empire extended all across N. Africa to Spain, Portugal
and southern France. Islamic control became larger than the Roman
Empire.
43.
Both Spain and Portugal were first invaded by the Muslims of North Africa,
known as the Moors, in 711. Here in Spain, the Muslims did not kill the
Christians and Jews, but tolerated their religion and lived with them as
“people of the Book”. (People of the Bible)
44.
Cordoba, Spain had about 3000 mosques with a minaret. The Great Mosque
in this city is now a Christian cathedral. In earlier times, it served as a
university where students from all over the Muslim world came to study
geography, philosophy, poetry, medicine, history, and the Koran. It had a
library of over 400,000 books.
45.
The Islamic religion began in the Arabian desert and was first spread by
Arab tribes. These tribes of Arab warriors conquered huge territories
belonging to Persia and to the Byzantine Empire. Islam became not only a
religion but also a ‘civilization’.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#6.
THE RISE & SPREAD OF ISLAM
46.
Islamic religion is the 2nd largest religion in the world, second only to
Christianity. Islam is an Arabic word that means “submission to God”. A
person who belongs to the Islamic faith, is called a Muslim, meaning “one
who submits”. There are over 1.2 billion Muslims throughout the world
today, making up 22% of the world’s population. Christianity represents
some 33% of the world’s population.
47.
The basis of the Muslim religion is the Islamic holy book, the Koran (Quran).
It was written as half poetry and half prose (ordinary language). There are
Five Pillars of Muslim teaching: 1) Testimony of Faith: “There is no God but
Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger” and that God has neither partner
nor son; 2)Prayer: 5 times a day. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, midafternoon, sunset, and night; 3) Fasting: Every year in the month of
Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food
and drink; 4) Paying of Alms: 2.5% of a Muslims net worth (not their
earnings) are given to needy Muslims; 5) Hajj: A pilgrimage to Mecca at least
once in the life of a Muslim is required of those who are physically and
financially fit to do so. http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-16.htm
48.
The Islamic civilization was centered in such great cities as Damascus
(Syria), Baghdad (Iraq), Cordoba (Spain), and Cairo (Egypt). Baghdad, the
present capital of Iraq, was built in 762 on the western bank of the Tigris
River. Baghdad became a prosperous trading center even though it was a
walled fortress town. Baghdad had 27,000 public baths and many fountains.
Cleanliness was a religious duty. The city had over 800 doctors along with
many hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
49.
All Muslims are required to perform certain duties---at least once in their life
time all Muslims must make a pilgrimage to Mecca to pray at the Kaaba.
Before entering the holy city of Mecca, the Muslim pilgrims change into
simple white robes so that rich and poor will be all alike, and then pray at the
Kaaba.
50.
There have been many political differences throughout the Islamic world.
These differences still exist today. Some differences are between various
families who claimed only they had the right to be caliphs, the successor to
Muhammad.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#6.
THE RISE & SPREAD OF ISLAM
51.
Two competing Islamic groups, the Sunni and the Shiites, are still fighting
each other today in a civil war in Iraq. The Sunni represent the more
traditional Islamic faith with from 85% to 90% of all Muslims being Sunni.
The Shiites live mostly in Iran but there are large Shiite communities in Iraq
and Pakistan.
52.
The Islamic faith prohibits the depiction of Allah (God) and Muhammad. If
Muslim artists do show Muhammad in books or paintings, they always cover
his face with a veil.
#7.
THE RISE OF THE SELJUK & OTTOMAN TURKS
53.
No outsiders had a greater effect on the Islamic world than the Turkic
peoples who came from central Asia. There are today over 80 million people
in the world who speak a Turkic language, including the Turks of modernday Turkey, millions of central Asia, and the people of Afghanistan.
54.
When the power of some Islamic caliphs weakened in the tenth century,
more and more of the Turkic tribes settled in Islamic territories. By about
970, a group of them, known as Seljuk Turks, conquered much of the eastern
part of the Islamic empire. As they took over one Islamic territory after
another, they themselves became Muslim. They adopted the Sunni form of
Islam and fought hard against the Shiite rulers. By 1055 the Seljuks were
able to capture the city of Baghdad.
55.
The most important and lasting Turkic influence on the Islamic world was
that of the Ottoman Turks. Their leader, Osman, organized a powerful
fighting force in the late 13th century. Within 200 years, the Ottoman
Empire became one of the mightiest empires in world history. It was also
one of the longest-lasting: from the 14th century to the 20th century.
56.
The Ottoman Turks showed great strength and were well organized with a
powerful army. They called the conquest of Christian lands jihads, or holy
wars, that would assure fallen Muslim warriors a place in heaven.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#7.
THE RISE OF THE SELJUK & OTTOMAN TURKS
57.
The Ottoman’s military might rested on two important items: 1) a large and
well-disciplined permanent army of horsemen who received land for their
service in war and owed their allegiance to the all-powerful sultan; 2) the
sultans organized another army of warriors, called Janissaries. These
powerful warriors were originally slaves, prisoners of war, or children taken
from their Christian parents to serve the Ottoman state. The Janissaries
were converted to Islam and turned into one of the best fighting forces of the
time period.
58.
After conquering much of Asia Minor, the Ottomans attacked Christian
Europe. They wanted to overtake Constantinople, the capital of the
Byzantine Empire and the center of Christendom in the eastern
Mediterranean world. Instead, the armies of the Ottoman Turks defeated
Christian armies to the north of Constantinople and other around it.
59.
By 1453 the Ottoman armies felt strong enough to attack Constantinople
itself. The Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453 is one of the most
important turning points in world history.
60.
Mehmed II, the Ottoman Sultan, was a very experienced warrior. He began
the attack on Constantinople with 100,000 Turkish troops who fired cannon
balls upon the walls for seven weeks. Constantine XI, the last emperor of the
Byzantine Empire, very bravely defended the city against attack of these
Turkish Muslims, but was killed in battle.
61.
The final Turkish assault came on May 29, 1453. The Sultan’s troops rushed
into Constantinople, killing the city’s inhabitants and looting the homes and
businesses. They made slaves of the survivors and pillaged the whole city for
three days.
62.
Mehmed II renamed the city of Constantinople, Istanbul, and made it the
capital of the Ottoman Empire. It became a center of Muslim culture and
learning just as Baghdad, Damascus, Cairo, and Cordoba had become.
63.
The loss of Constantinople was a tremendous shock to the rest of Christian
Europe. Many Europeans saw this defeat by the hands of the Muslims as the
end of a whole age of history. (Many historians date the end of the Middle
Ages time period and the beginning of the modern period of history from the
fall of Constantinople in 1453 by the Muslim army of the Ottoman Turks.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#8.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MUSLIM CIVILIZATION
64.
The Islamic world made many contributions to Christian Europe. The
Muslims preserved many of the ancient writings of the Greeks and Romans.
Muslim scientists, scholars, and engineers developed a culture that was
unrivaled in the world at that time.
65.
Muslims made huge advances in mathematics—giving the world algebra,
trigonometry, and the decimal fraction. We still call algebra by its Arabic
name. We also refer to our numbers as Arabic numbers. (Which is easier to
multiply? LXII by CXVIII or 62 X 118)
66.
Muslim scholars translated many earlier Greek and Indian works into their
own language, Arabic. They also developed a highly decorative architecture
that made great use of landscape design and they gave us calligraphy—
decorative writing.
67.
The Muslims had a high regard for books. The stories of the Arabian Nights
or A Thousand and One Nights (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves; Sinbad the
Sailor; Aladdin and His Magic Lamp) were known in the Muslim world and
in Christian Europe. Except for the Koran, no work of Arabian literature is
as widely known. (Scheherezade told the wicked Arabian king story after story
but kept the ending untold until the next evening in order to keep herself alive.)
68.
Muslim scholars were world leaders in astronomy, and most major Muslim
cities had at least one observatory. Muslim astronomers also developed the
astrolabe. This is a device that was used by navigators to measure the height
of the sun at noon so that they could work out their latitude---how far north
or south they were on the ocean.
69.
Muslims were leaders in medieval medicine. The most important Muslim
physician was Ibn Sina, a Persian scholar who wrote the 14-volume Canon of
Medicine, which later formed the basis of European medicine until the 1600s.
Muslims disapproved of surgery, but they did use it when necessary and
were the first people to remove cataracts to restore eyesight.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#9.
FEUDALISM: LIFE IN MEDIEVAL TIMES
70.
Medieval Europe was dominated by two great institutions: the feudal system
and the Catholic Church. 1) In feudalism, kings granted estates to their
leading nobleman and received smaller estates of land, farmed by peasants
and serfs in return for military protection. This structure was bound
together by ‘oaths of loyalty’. 2) The Catholic Church was the sole religious
authority in western Europe but also claimed increasing control over rulers,
leading to constant struggles with powerful emperors and kings.
71.
During the medieval period of history, most people in Europe lived in small
villages that were owned by the lord of the manor. Often, they died in the
same village that they were born in and rarely traveled much farther than
the local market town. People were afraid of the Vikings and other invaders.
They looked to any powerful person who could give them protection--- a
king, a noble, or a church leader. And powerful people were looking for
fighters to protect them.
72.
Most people were serfs, which means they were landless peasants who
worked on the lord of the manor’s lands in return for shelter and protection.
The great lords of the country—the dukes and earls---lived in huge stone
castles, heavily fortified against attacks by rival lords or invading armies.
The first castles were built in France during the 800s. A lord’s chief duty was
to protect his vassals and their lands---and the vassal’s children if their
father dies.
73.
Peasants were the lowest level in medieval society. They worked for, and
paid taxes to, their lord, whether he was a knight, a noble, or a king. Taxes
many times meant handing over a portion of their produce to their lord or to
the Church. Peasants could never leave or marry without the lord’s
permission. (A serf owed his labor to the lord---a freeman did not.) Life as a
serf was very hard. They lived in one-room huts with a dirt floor; worked
from sun-up to sun-down; and slept on straw on the floor---many times with
the livestock. A serf could be a free peasant (freeman) if they saved enough
money to buy a plot of land or if they escaped to a town or a city and lived
there for a ‘year-and-a-day” without being caught.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#9.
74.
FEUDALISM: LIFE IN MEDIEVAL TIMES
The feudal system in England was a ‘pyramid’. At its apex was the king,
whose vassals (any man who put himself under the protection of a more
powerful person), the nobility, owed his loyalty and the duty of providing
forces for his wars. In turn, those below the nobles, became their vassals
owing them allegiance and the duty of being their fighting forces. A king
would give out shares of land (fief) to a noble, who in turn would swear
allegiance and loyalty to the king. A lord would then give the knight a piece
of land (fief), which he used to support himself and give out to others for
their loyalty. This system of loyalties and protections was called feudalism.
This feudalism developed into a system of government, an economic way of
life, and a distinctive kind of society. Feudalism was at its peak in Europe
between the years 900-1200.
#10. FEUDALISM: LIFE OF A KNIGHT
75.
A knight was a mounted warrior on horseback who had been granted a fief
(land estate) by a rich and powerful nobleman in return for loyalty and
military service. They were professional soldiers who did little else but
prepare and practice for war. They followed an elaborate ‘code of chivalry’
which dictated their behavior on and off the battlefield. This code of strict
living improved the conduct and manners of the knights. The ideal
chivalrous knight had these characteristics: brave, loyal, truthful, generous,
courteous, gracious; he was kind to the poor, the weak, and to all women;
and a protector of the Christian Church.
76.
Knights were trained to ride and fight from an early age. A boy of noble
birth began his training to become a knight at the age of seven. He did not
go to school but was sent to live with another noble family as a page. A page
learned how to throw a lance, shoot a bow and arrow, and fight with a
sword. Also, he learned how to ride a horse, take care of armor, and behave
like a knight.
77.
At the age of fourteen a page who qualified became a squire to a knight. A
squire would serve the knight by waiting upon him when he ate, helped the
knight on with his armor, and kept the armor in good condition. A squire
would further his training by watching how his master fought and by
continuous practice with weapons. He would strengthen his body with
vigorous exercise. A squire could become a knight on his 21st birthday if had
become a skilled fighter.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#10. FEUDALISM: LIFE OF A KNIGHT
78.
Knights fought on horseback, riding splendid warhorses called destriers.
These horsed were specially bred to be strong, fast, and obedient, Destriers
were often very fierce, even kicking and biting their knight’s enemies.
Wealthy knights took two horses with them into a battle, in case one was
killed or injured. Only the richest knights could afford armor for their
horses.
79.
To fight their enemies, knights used long swords with very sharp edges for
slashing; and short, pointed swords for stabbing through armor. Knights
attacked enemies with maces (heavy clubs with a spiked ball at one end), war
hammers, battle-axes, and they used wood or metal shields to protect
themselves. For added protection, knights wore a tunic made of chain mail (a
type of armor made up of thousands of small metal rings that are linked as if
woven together). Some knights carried lances, a long heavy spear. A lance
could be used to knock an enemy off his horse. A knight on the ground was
easier to attack and might also be trampled to death by the horses.
80.
After AD1300, knights began to wear body armor for protection. The armor
was made out of shaped pieces of metal. A full suit of armor weighed about
40-50 pounds and was very hot to wear. A knight wore a protective helmet
that covered his head and face. However, he could see out through a
movable visor.
81.
Ordinary soldiers fought on foot, using pikes (sharp spikes on long poles).
These were used to stab at the knights on horseback. They also attacked the
knights with longbows and crossbows. A skilled longbowman could shoot 8
to 10 arrows a minute and hit targets of more than 300 yards away.
Crossbows fired metal bolts that could smash through armor. Metal spikes
called caltrops were scattered in front of knight’s horses to stab through their
hooves and make them fall.
82.
In peacetime, knights fought mock (pretend) battles using blunt weapons.
Kings, queens, lords and ladies all came to watch. These competitions were
called jousts or tournaments and could last as long as a week. (In a joust, two
knights on horseback charge toward each other with wooden lances. The
goal was for one of the knights to knock the other knight off his horse. The
knight who lost the joust had to give his horse and armor to the winner.)
These jousting tournaments helped knight’s practice their skills. Knights
topped their helmets with crests shaped like birds or monsters. They would
also display a family crest on their shield called a “coat-of-arms” which were
used to identify them. A knight’s “coat-of-arms” used special designs,
badges, or emblems for identity.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#11. MEDIEVAL CASTLES
83.
In the Middle Ages, castles were the biggest and strongest buildings around.
During wars, they were safe forts that protected soldiers from the enemy.
Castles were also the splendid homes of rich and powerful kings and lords.
The first castles were built in about AD900. They were wooden towers called
“Keeps”. After AD1050, castle builders piled up earth to make steep hills,
called mottes, and built wooden Keeps on top of them. Next, castles began to
be built of stone. They had large stone Keeps, surrounded by high stone
walls that were 3 feet or more thick.
84.
A castle had many toilets, called garderobes, which were located in the
outside walls and were reached by narrow passages. Each garderobe was lit
by a small window or arrow loop. The toilet seat was simply a slab of stone
with a round hole cut in it. The seat on the outside wall was supported by
beams and projected out beyond the face of the wall. The waste would be
deposited outside the castle wall along the embankment or cliff. The
garderobes of the inside wall were often grouped together over vertical shafts
either within the wall or built against it. These led to a cesspit at the foot of
the wall which had to be periodically cleaned out.
85.
Castle walls were made of earth and stone rubble (small pieces of stone or
brick), pounded together and covered on both sides with strong stone blocks.
Castles were surrounded by a deep, water-filled ditch called a moat. The
moat could be crossed only by means of a drawbridge, which could be pulled
up to keep enemies form entering the castle.
86.
Castles were often used as prisons. Some had dark, damp dungeons
underneath the Keep floor. Stone walls topped with walkways and
battlements---walled platforms with spaces through which to fire weapons.
There were narrow slits for shooting arrows. Small towers were used as
lookout posts. When enemies managed to get across a castle’s drawbridge, a
portcullis—an iron gate that could be lowered to protect a castle doorway--was quickly dropped to keep them from entering the main castle door.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#11. MEDIEVAL CASTLES
87.
Siege warfare against a castle became increasingly important as castles
became better fortified. Enemies tried to capture castles in many different
ways. Sometimes, they dug holes under castle walls to make the walls fall
down. Often, they crashed through castle gates with battering rams—huge,
heavy wooden beams or tree trunks. One end of it was shaped to a point and
capped with iron. The pointed end was aimed at the wall and the battering
ram was then rocked back and forth by a team of soldiers. In order to
breach castle walls, a large weapon called a catapult was made. This heavy
timber weapon was outfitted with an arm which could be drawn back under
great pressure. When the pressure was released, the arm would shoot
forward, flinging a variety of missiles either against the walls or over them.
Another weapon used to get inside the castle was a tall wooden structure,
called a siege tower. It was rolled into a position next to the wall itself. Then
soldiers would climb up the rear of the tower to a platform on top. From
which they lowered a small drawbridge and attempted to cross over onto the
castle wall. When attacking armies besieged a castle, they camped close by
and blocked off all the roads. They also poisoned wells and streams and kept
any fresh food from reaching people inside the castle walls. People trapped
inside a castle under attack often had only two choices---surrender and
probably be killed, or starve to death.
88.
People in the castle fought back, throwing stones and even dropping red-hot
sand onto attackers’ heads. They would also set the siege tower on fire or use
long wooden pikes with a u-shape on the front end to topple over the towers.
When a castle was captured, the Captain-of-the-Guard had to hand over the
keys to the enemy.
#12. THE AGE OF FAITH
89.
The Roman Catholic Church was both very important and powerful during
the Middle Ages. It had more of an impact on the lives of almost all people
throughout Europe during the Middle Ages than did any other institution.
Life was short and hard for most people. They were comforted by the
Church’s teaching that they could enjoy the rewards of heaven after death if
the lived good lives while on earth. The Roman Catholic Church was also
powerful because it took on many of the jobs government does today. In the
Middle Ages, the Church made laws and set up courts to enforce their laws.
It gained great wealth by collecting taxes. It also took fiefs from the lords in
exchange for services performed by the clergy.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#12. THE AGE OF FAITH
90.
Christianity was so important to the people of the Middle Ages that this time
period is often referred to as the “Age of Faith”. The Church spread a belief
system that gave meaning to people’s lives. It said that right will win over
evil. It gave people hope that they could find a better life in heaven, after
death on earth. People believed that if they did not lead a good life on earth,
then they should fear the future for they would spend eternity in the ‘fires of
hell’.
91.
Many men and women joined religious communities. The men, called
monks, lived in monasteries. The women, called nuns, lived in convents.
Monks and nuns gave up all their possessions, promised to never marry, and
agreed to obey the abbot, who was head of the monastery. The day was
devoted to prayer, study, work, and then sleep. It was the monks that kept
the ideas of the ancient world alive by copying Greek and Roman books. The
monasteries had the largest libraries in Europe. The nuns also copied Latin
and Greek books as well as providing an education for girls. Many boys
would attend schools located in large churches called cathedrals.
92.
The cathedral was the most spectacular achievement of medieval art. Many
cathedrals were built after the year 1000. The Vikings and other invaders
had burned hundreds of wooden churches during their invasions. To replace
them, church leaders built new “fireproof” churches of stone. Cathedrals
were spacious, soaring, light-filled buildings that looked as if they were
reaching toward heaven. They had stained-glass windows, which are
paintings made on pieces of glass held together with strips of lead. For
centuries, people could “read” these Bible stories on the windows like a book.
93.
In the Age of Faith, most of the different forms of art sought one goal---the
greater glory of God. Music was composed to enrich church services.
Paintings taught the faith to those who could not read. Plays were based on
Bible stories, the lives of the saints, and moral themes, such as greed and
justice. Literature taught even more about how to be a good Christian, for
the few who could read.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#12. THE AGE OF FAITH
94.
The clergy were religious men of the Church who performed services such as
performing marriages, conducting funerals, listening to believers confess
their sins, and even forgiving sins (which they had no scriptural right to do!).
High officials in the Roman Catholic Church also exercised great political
power as advisors to kings. The church leaders even had the power to
excommunicate (prevent from taking part in Church life) rebellious lords or
kings. Being excommunicated was a terrible thing, because no one would
ever associate with you again.
95.
Not all literature was religious. Wandering poets called troubadours
traveled around Europe reciting poetry, many times in songs that they had
written. Their poetry and songs glorified women, romance, and many of the
ideals of chivalry.
#13. THE CRUSADES OF THE MIDDLE AGES
96.
It is one of the ironies of history that more than four centuries of war were
dedicated to promoting the teachings of Jesus (on the Christian side) and
Muhammad (on the Muslim side). In all there were eight Crusades to
attempt to free the Holy Lands, including the holy city of Jerusalem from
Muslim control. The most important Crusades were fought between 1095
and 1291. These all ended with temporary success, after many bloody battles,
or in complete chaos. The Children’s Crusade of 1212 resulted in some
20,000 children being sold as slaves in Egypt. Thousands of others died from
cold, severe weather, or starvation. These Crusades resulted in much
bloodshed, destruction, hatred, and eventual defeat for the Christian side.
97.
On Nov. 18, 1095, a crowd of people gathered in the French town of
Clermont to hear an urgent message from the Pope. Pope Urban II appealed
for an army to ‘take the cross’ and rescue the Holy Land from the Muslims,
who had been looting and destroying Christian churches and killing
Christian pilgrims. Pope Urban II announced that “God Will’s It!” would be
the cry of the Christians taking part in a holy war. The purpose of this war
was to free the Holy Land---that part of the Middle East where Jesus was
born and lived---from the control of the Muslims. This holy war was called a
Crusade, taken from the Latin word crux for cross. Many knights ripped
their cloaks into strips to make crude crosses to wear on their chests. They
would be called Crusaders!
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#13. THE CRUSADES OF THE MIDDLE AGES
98.
Since about AD300, European Christians had been traveling to Jerusalem on
a religious journey, or pilgrimage. When the Seljuk Turks took over
Palestine, they turned the pilgrims away and refused their admittance into
Jerusalem. Some Christian pilgrims were attacked by the Muslim Turks and
killed. The violence occurred even though Islamic teaching from the Koran
(Qu’ran) states that Jews and Christians are fellow believers in God--“people of the Book”. The Turks attacks on the Christian pilgrims gave the
Pope a religious reason to bring Christians into action.
99.
The Holy Lands of Palestine were sacred to all three religions: Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. Over the next 200 years, the Roman Catholic
Church launched four main wars to capture Palestine. Crusaders from all
over Christian Europe, from kings, to nobles, to knights, to even peasants, all
carried the Christian cross into battle against the enemy---the Seljuk Turks.
100.
In 1096, before the first ‘official’ Crusade, Peter the Hermit, and a group of
common people from a variety of villages set out to take back the Holy Land.
Peter’s army arrived in Constantinople and was advised to wait for help
from an army of knights. Peter agreed, but most of his army rebelled and
attacked the Turks anyway. They were slaughtered. They had no chance up
against a Muslim army of world-renown fighters. Only a small part of his
army survived.
101.
At last, armies of knights arrived in Constantinople. These Christian armies
treated the Byzantine people badly---killing many and looting their homes
and businesses. The Byzantines regretted asking for their help.
102.
The forces of the knights and nobles numbered about 30,000 in the First
Crusade. The idea of fighting in the Crusades in order to gain the remission
of sins had become popular. After a war that lasted three years, the 12,000
surviving Christian fighters began a 5-week siege of Jerusalem. The
Christian Crusaders captured the city in 1099 after a battle that was so fierce
that the streets were described as “running red with blood”. Historians
record that the Crusaders killed 10,000 of Jerusalem’s Muslim and Jewish
inhabitants. This victory for the Christians lasted less than 90 years before it
was recaptured by the Muslims. Saladin, a strong Muslim leader and
military commander, recaptured Jerusalem in 1187. Christian Crusaders
never recaptured the Holy Land again and were driven out in 1291.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#13. THE CRUSADES OF THE MIDDLE AGES
103.
The Christians sent a Third crusade against the Muslims with their very
important European rulers: King Richard the Lion-Hearted of England,
King Philip Austus of France, and King Frederick Barbarossa of Germany.
However, they could not beat Saladin and his Muslim armies. The war
ended in an agreement between the Muslims and the Christians that the
Christians would have the right to visit Jerusalem safely on religious
pilgrimages.
104.
Many of the Christian Crusaders were influenced by the Muslim culture and
learned from them while in Palestine. They took much of what they learned
back to Europe; thus, the Crusades changed Europe in important and lasting
ways. 1) They increased trade and made the use of money more common. 2)
Feudalism grew weaker, towns became more important and money came
into widespread use. 3) European ships carried armies and supplies to the
fighting armies of the Crusades. On their return trips, they would bring with
them Persian rugs, jewelry, glass, and spices. Soon, these goods were in great
demand all over Europe. Thus, the Crusades helped world-wide trade grow.
105.
The Crusades contributed greatly to the decline of the feudal system.
Thousands of nobles were killed in the Crusades. Many were forced to sell
their lands to raise money in order to finance their involvement in the
Crusades. In addition to the holy sites of Palestine, the Church had other
reasons for launching the Crusades---Europeans wanted control of
Palestine’s key trade routes between Africa, Asia, and Europe.
106.
The failure of the Crusades showed how powerful the Muslims were in
defending their own land and civilization. However, these wars poisoned
Christian-Muslim relations for centuries. There has been much bloodshed
since due to radical Islamic militants misinterpreting the message of
Muhammad in the Koran. All “people of the Book” should be able to get
along peacefully with each other.
#14. THE RISE OF MEDIEVAL CITIES
107.
Due to the political and governmental power of the medieval church, towns
and cities began to grow and prosper. Many manors became crowded and
providing food and clothing for everyone was difficult. Peasants left the
manor and set up small communities which evolved into towns.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#14. THE RISE OF MEDIEVAL CITIES
108.
Many peasants who left the manor for the towns saw their lives improve.
Some made enough money to pay for more than their own basic needs. Some
even became members of the middle class—a group between nobles and
peasants. Their social class included merchants, traders, and craftspeople.
109.
By 1400, some towns had as many as 10,000 people living in overcrowded
and unhealthy conditions. Townspeople were not self-sufficient like the
manor—life was based on the exchange of money for goods and services.
Homes were built close together, streets were filthy with waste thrown from
windows, and sicknesses spread quickly. The streets were only 6 to 10 feet
wide. Pigs and other animals roamed the crowded, narrow streets. The wells
used for water were often contaminated.
110.
Wooden houses in the medieval towns were cramped and built next to each
other. Fire was always a danger. As many as 16 people might live in a 3room house. “Gardez l’eau!” This phrase means “Watch out for the water!”
Wastewater was thrown out form the windows of homes into the open sewer
that ran down the middle of the street.
111.
In every city and town, merchants and craftworkers formed associations
called guilds. A guild included all the people in a town who participated in a
certain trade---weavers, grocers, masons, stone crafters. Each guild made
rules to help its members earn good wages. The guilds set prices and
prevented outsiders from selling goods in town. They also set the standards
for quality of goods. At the head of each guild was a Master, a person who
had become skilled in his trade or craft.
112.
A young person who wanted to learn a craft or trade started out as an
apprentice. They would live with the master craftsman and his family from 2
to 12 years. The master fed, clothed, and housed them but did not pay them
anything. When the period of training was completed, the apprentice
became a journeyman, which comes from an old French word meaning
“day”. The journeyman worked for a day’s wages under the master, hoping
one day to become a master of their trade. A journeyman trying to achieve
status as a master had to pass tests to show that they had learned the
necessary skills. This meant that they had to create acceptable samples of
their work called masterpieces. (Ever hear of the term, “That is a
masterpiece!”)
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#15. THE CURSE OF THE ‘BLACK DEATH’
113.
In 1348 three ships arrived at Genoa, Italy, infected with a deadly disease,
bubonic plague---or the Black Death. The people of Genoa drove the ships
away but it was too late. By 1350 the plague had killed thousands. Some
historical accounts state that one-fourth and up to one-third of Europe’s
population was wiped out due to the plague—that’s one out of every three
people in just four years. Records show that in Paris, France, 800 people a
day were dying---Paris lost ½ of its population. A French clergyman was
recorded as saying, “He was well one day and dead the next!”
114.
The most destructive force ever to invade Europe was not the Vikings, a
battle or a war or even a series of wars—it was a disease called the bubonic
plague. The Black Death entered Europe along Asian trade routes in 1348.
The disease was carried ashore in the bloodstream of fleas riding on the
backs of rats. Rats on ships, infested with parasitic fleas, carried the plague
to European ports in 1347-1348. It soon spread across the entire continent.
By the time the plague died out in 1351, around 24 million people had died.
This caused many social and economic problems. Towns and farms lost their
workers, prices fell drastically, and wages rose as labor became scarce.
115.
It was called the Black Death because dark blotches appeared on the victim’s
skin. The disease could kill a person in less than a day, but usually lasted
from 1 to 3 days. Plague is primarily a disease of rodents. Infection most
often occurs when a person is bitten by an infected rodent or a flea that has
fed on an infected rodent. The bacteria multiply inside the flea, sticking
together to form a plug that blocks its stomach and causes it to begin to
starve. The flea then voraciously bites a host and continues to feed, even
though it is unable to satisfy its hunger. During the feeding process, blood
cannot flow into the blocked stomach, and consequently the flea vomits blood
tainted with the bacteria back into the bite wound.
116.
The plague has a long history as a biological weapon. Historical accounts
from medieval Europe detail the use of infected animal carcasses, such as
cows or horses, and human carcasses, by Mongols, Turks and other groups,
to contaminate enemy water supplies. Plague victims were also reported to
have been tossed by catapult into cities under siege.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#16. KINGS, POPES, WARS, & NATION-STATES
117.
In the Middle Ages, kings and popes often argued over who should pick
Church officials called bishops. Since bishops were part of the Church,
popes claimed the right to choose them. Kings also wanted the right to select
a bishop because the bishops often controlled large areas of their kingdoms
and they wanted a political ally.
118.
King Henry IV had such a quarrel with Pope Gregory VII. The king selected
bishops even though the pope had said not to. Pope Gregory excommunicated King Henry. The King could not bear his punishment and begged the
Pope for forgiveness. After three long days of the King being barefoot in the
cold, the Pope gave in. He allowed Henry to rejoin the Church.
119.
However, some years later King Henry invaded Italy where the Pope lived
and he replaced Gregory. Gregory was sent into exile and died far from his
home. As kings gained power, they dared to put their own wishes before
those of the Church.
120.
William was the Duke of Normandy, a region in northeastern France. He
was a master of war and one of the best military organizers in Europe.
William was related to the King of England, who had no children of his own.
The Anglo-Saxons in England wanted to be ruled by one of their own instead
of a “Norman” from France. William gathered an army of knights and
archers to invade England and take the throne that he thought was rightfully
his.
121.
On Oct. 14, 1066, the Saxon (English) and Norman (French) armies met at a
place named Hastings. After a few hours, the Battle of Hastings was over.
William’s forces won! William would now be known as “William the
Conqueror” and King William I of England. William divided up the land
and gave away many fiefs to his own knights who had to first swear
allegiance to him. He also made every Anglo-Saxon lord take an oath of
loyalty to him. If the English lord did not, the lord’s lands were taken away.
This act of loyalties and protections created a feudal England, with a
centralized government in the hands of King William.
122.
After the Crusades, the nobles power, too, was seriously weakened.
Feudalism was weakening and the king’s power was increasing. This was
especially true since the king took over the noble’s land when he died during
the Crusades. Kings hired armies and had them attack troublesome nobles.
Kings, now become the main authority in their kingdoms.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#16. KINGS, POPES, WARS, & NATION-STATES
123.
Gradually, their kingdoms began to be real nations. A nation is a community
that shares a common government, a common language, and a common
culture. These things will unite the people of a nation.
124.
The nation of England becomes more united. King John, in 1199, quickly
moves to increase his wealth and power. He taxed people heavily and jailed
his enemies unjustly, many times without trial. King John was a failure in
many of the things he did as a king. He lost many battles with the French
that had been owned by the English. Because of this failure, he was given
two non-complimentary nicknames: Softsword and Lackland. John even
seized Church property when he had a quarrel with the Pope. The Pope
struck back by excommunicating John and declaring him no longer King of
England.
125.
Next, the nobles and local clergy struck back at John for his mistreatment to
them. The nobles made a list of demands and called John to meet them at a
great meadow or grassland named Runnymede, southwest of London. John
was made to sign this list of demands called the Magna Carta---or “Great
Charter” after many days of arguing.
126.
The Magna Carta limited a king’s power over the nobles. The king could no
longer jail nobles without just cause, nor could he tax them without their
agreement. The Magna Carta also paved the way for the first English
Parliament--a council that would advise the English king in government
matters--the House of Lords (great nobles and church leaders) and the House
of Commons (knights & common townspeople). The Magna Carta also made
England stronger and more powerful. England became a true nation, more
united behind its royal ruler, instead of a collection of quarreling feudal fiefs.
However, the real importance of the Magna Carta was that for the first time
a King of England was bound by the law--he could not do as he pleased.
127.
When William the Conqueror became King of England, he did not give up
any of his French territory—that became part of England. France’s nobles
owned most of the land in France and had more power than the monarchs of
France. Through marriage and wars, King William’s successors added more
French territory to England’s. At times the English King of England owned
and controlled half of France.
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#16. KINGS, POPES, WARS, & NATION-STATES
128.
King Phillip II of France, in the early 1200s, helped France to begin to
emerge as a powerful nation. He accumulated tremendous wealth and used
some of it to pave streets and build hospitals in Paris. King Louis IX of
France, who was later called St. Louis, was the most loved French king
during the Middle Ages because he believed in justice for his people.
129.
The idea of nationhood was taking hold all over Europe in the late Middle
Ages. One of the difficulties these young nations had was conflict with one
another. This is especially true of England and France. One conflict
between them led to the Hundred Years’ War, a series of wars which lasted
from 1338 to 1453. It stemmed from who should be King of France and over
disputed boundaries. It was almost entirely fought on French land. In the
Battle of Calais, the English sent wave after wave of arrows at the French.
The French lost over 10,000 soldiers to England’s 200. It was said that the
French knights “fell like snow”. The Hundred Years’ War ended in 1453,
the same year that the Byzantine Empire ended from being overtaken by the
Ottoman Turks (Muslims).
130.
The English king owned and controlled a large amount of land in France. In
1328, the French King died without leaving an heir and the English king,
King Edward III, declared he should become the new king of France. The
French nobles did not agree. Edward invaded France, many bloody battles
were fought, but nothing was settled even though England won most of the
battles.
131.
England continued to gain ground in the war until 1429 when a 17 year old
French peasant girl named Joan of Arc joined the French army. Joan was
born in the French province of Champagne. Her story is one of great
strength and courage. Joan believed that God had called her to lead the
French forces at the battle of Orleans to stop the English and see to it that a
Charles was crowned King of France.
132.
While under Joan’s command, the French defeated the English at the Battle
of Orleans. She then led her forces to victory in four other battles while
wearing armor and riding on a white horse. With Joan’s inspiration the
French forces broke the English siege and Charles was crowned king.
However, in 1430, Joan was captured and taken prisoner by the English. She
was tried as a witch, convicted, and burned-alive at the stake.
Made For TV Movie Trailer About “Joan of Arc”:
http://us.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1068040473/
~TOP ‘100’ PLUS FACTS~
M edieval
Medieval Times Unit
#16. KINGS, POPES, WARS, & NATION-STATES
133.
This still did not help England to recover from their losses. By 1453, France
had reclaimed all but a small portion of its lands from England. With
English troops in retreat, the French were on their way to becoming a strong
united nation, too. The French people felt great national pride in what they
had accomplished.
134.
At the end of the Middle Ages, strong central governments had developed in
England, France, Spain, Scandinavia, and Russia. Europeans began to feel
national pride. This was the beginning of nations as we know them today.
“Know-It or Owe-It”
Use these FACTS in a variety of ways; use the information in the creation of your
‘hands-on’ products and your review game activities. Study some of them EACH
and EVERY day! (Study a set of ‘10’ or ‘12’ every day!) You can do it! Just
remember, if I take the
majority
of
the
TEST
questions from these facts, and
you do not study them very
much at home, will you do
really well on the TEST?
Probably not!!!
Just remember this little
saying:
“Don’t let it REST until
your GOOD gets
BETTER
and your BETTER becomes your BEST!”
Plague Interpretation
Ring around the rosies,
A pocketful of posies.
ashes, ashes.
We all fall down!
A rosy rash, they allege, was a symptom of the plague, posies of
herbs were carried as protection, sneezing was a final fatal symptom,
and “all fall down” was exactly what happened.’[17] Variations of the
same theory allow it to be applied to the American version of the
rhyme and to medieval plagues.[18] In its various forms, the
interpretation has entered into popular culture and has been used
elsewhere to make oblique reference to the plague.