Download Kingdom of France

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Dear Delegates,
On the behalf of my entire staff, I would like to welcome you to NYUMUNCVIII.
My name is Marvin Passi, and I am tremendously excited to be your chair in the Kingdom of
France. Currently, I am a Master’s student at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences here at NYU
studying International Relations with a concentration in International Law and Finance. Having
participated in many MUN committees with my French travel team, I’m looking forward to
providing you with a well-managed committee.
Your crisis director, Maevyn Davis-Rackerby, is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences
hoping to study International Relations. She loves both history and international politics, and is
thrilled to put both her passions to use in providing interesting and exciting crises for you during
the conference.
History has always played an important role in international politics. As a student in international
relations, I can say that all current international conflicts and issues have roots in their country’s
respective history, as they all result, on some level, from how their societies were formed and
constructed. Currently, France is at a crucial historical point. On one hand, it is a leader in the
European Union because of its ethnic diversity and its long history of attempted domination over
the rest of Europe and the Middle East. On the other hand, the multiplicity of political, cultural and
economic factors make the French situation complex to understand and the issues hard to resolve.
Both Maevyn and I hope that trying to solve some medieval French conflicts will help you
understand how challenging and complicated the actual situation is.
In this committee, you will deal with issues and crises within the Kingdom of France, including the
fact that every duke, count and religious leader has a different position on every crisis and topic
that we give to you. My staff, Maevyn and I had been passionate about this topic, and we hope that
by the end of this committee you will be as well.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. Have a great time researching,
and we are looking forward to meet you in April.
Best,
Marvin Passi
Chair
NYUMUNCVIII
[email protected]
Maevyn Davis-Rackerby
Crisis Director
NYUMUNCVIII
[email protected]
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History
Christians from Muslim rule, quickly became
After the death of his father in 1060, Philip I
Louis VI, or Louis the Fat, succeeded Philip to
was crowned king at age seven, officially
establish a centralized royal power: he spent
beginning his rule in 1066. In 1077, after
most of his reign fighting either “robber
years of conflict with William the Conqueror
barons” who disregarded the King and
over the Duchy of Brittany, Philip gave up his
disrupted civil life through excessive and
attempt at conquering and made peace. In
illegal taxation in Paris or the Norman kings
1082, Philip I annexed the Vexin, and in 1100
of England over control of Normandy.
he took control of Bourges. following his
Despite of this, Louis VI managed to
excommunication by the pope in 1094 for
strengthen his power, and became a strong
repudiating
king.
his
wife
and
the Crusade’s main goal.
marrying
In 1109 Louis VI went to war with Henry I of
England over the castle at Gisors, an
important fortress on the right bank of the
Epte river, which had control over the road
between Paris and Rouen However, after the
first few years of the war, several French
barons aligned with Henry, which left a
difficult battle against the English monarch.
In March 1113, Henry I was recognized as
suzerain of Brittany and Maine after the
threat of losing Gisors forced Louis VI to sign
a treaty. The peace lasted three years until
hostilities renewed in April of 1116.
By 1119, after several victories and the
another woman. The year after, in 1095, the
English capture of Les Andelys, Louis felt
Crusade was launched which had little
participation
from
Philip
but
ready to end the war. That August The Battle
heavy
of Bremule broke out, in which Louis’ troops
involvement from not allowed to participate
broke, abandoned the royal banner, and fled
in, Hugh of Vermandois.
back to Les Andelys.. A failed counter-attack
Pope Urban II initially launched the Crusade
to try and take Breteuil pushed Louis to
in response the Byzantine Emperor, Alexios I
negotiate for peace again. With the Pope
Komnenos, calling for western help in
Calixtus II, who met with Henry at Gisors in
fighting the invasion of the Seljuk Turks from
November
Anatolia. However, the Christian conquest of
negotiated.
the sacred city of Jerusalem and the Holy
Gisors.
Land, as well as the freeing of the Eastern
2
of
1120,
Eventually,
more
Louis
peace
was
conceded
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In 1127, Charles the Good, the Count of
invasion was abandoned. The next year,
Flanders,
Henry V died.
was
killed
in
St.
Donatian's
Cathedral at Bruges. The count had no heir,
In 1128, Henry I married his daughter, the
which led to secession crisis. Louis had
Empress Matilda, to the Count of Anjou,
William Clito in mind as a candidate, and
Geoffrey Plantagenet. This turned out to be a
moved into Flanders and advised the barons
dangerous alliance for the French, which
to choose himleading to his election by the
became evident during the reign of Louis VII,
counsel. To further secure Clito’s position in
Lous VI’s successor. Like his father, Louis VII
Flanders, Louis captured Charles the Good’s
strove for a centralized government. Right
murderers and ousted the rival claimants.
before his death his father married him to
Before he left for France, Louis witnessed the
Eleanor of Aquitaine, an incredibly wealthy
execution of said killers. This victory showed
and powerful woman. Eleanor gave Louis the
how far the French Crown had come under
vast Duchy of Aquitaine as a dowry, which
Louis VI’s leadership, but it was a short
extended the French lands to the Pyrenees.
triumph. The new, young Count William
During
imposed heavy handed feudal taxes, a move
archbishopric of Bourges caused conflict with
that didn’t go well with several provinces.
the Pope when he and the king suggested
The tensions between Henry I and Louis VI
different candidates. The king supported the
increased in November of 1120, when Henry's
chancellor Cadurc and the Pope supported
heir, William Adelin, was one of the nobles
Pierre de la Chatre. In response to this
who died during the sinking the White Ship
disagreement, the Pope imposed an interdict
on his way to England from Normandy. This
on Louis VII.
incident put Henry’s position and the future
Louis then allowed Raoul I of Vermandois to
of this dynasty in jeopardy. Three years later,
renounce his wife and marry Petronilla of
Louis was involved with a coalition between
Aquitaine instead, resulting in a war with
Norman and French nobles opposing King
Theobald II of Champagne, the uncle of
Henry. Their plan was to remove the English
Roul’s denounced wife. As a result, Theobald
King and replace him with William Clito--
II allied with the Pope and sided with him in
however, Henry defeated them and convinced
the dispute over the archbishopric of Bourges
Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor and his son-
in a war that started in 1142 and lasted two
in-law, to invade France. Henry V had plans
years. When the royal army moved to occupy
for the coastal region of the Low Countries,
Champagne, the town of Vitry-le-François
and invading Northern France would help his
was burned to the ground. More than a
chances. So in 1124, Henry V prepared an
thousand people died in the town’s church,
army to march on Rheims. However, he had
which also burned in the fire. After this
failed to predict that the French barons would
tragedy Louis admitted defeat and ordered
support their King and so the proposed
his armies to leave Champagne. He also
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his
reign,
a
vacancy
in
the
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officially recognized Pierre de la Chatre as
concerning
archbishop, shunning Raoul and his new
administration, both during war and peace.
the
government
and
royal
Composition of the Council
wife, Petronilla. He felt responsible for the
attack on the town, more specifically the
●
Dauphin (The crown prince)
casualties from the fire. He declared his
●
The “Grands” (Powerful people of the
intention of mounting what would become
Church and nobility)
known as the Second Crusade on December
●
Queen
(Consort
or
mother)
–
25th, 1145 at Bourges to atone for his sins.
However, the queen began to lose
In 1144, while this was happening, the Count
political control and did not often
of Anjou, Geoffrey V conquered Normandy,
attend council.
in an action that would cause tension for
●
The King’s close relations (Sons,
some time. In exchange for being recognised
grandsons, princes of the bloodline) –
by Louis as Duke of Normandy, Geoffrey gave
Because of their political ambition,
him half of the Vexin region, which was
these members were often suspected
crucial to Norman security.
of plotting against the king.
In June 1147, Louis VII and Eleanor set out
The Great Officers of the Crown of
from the Basilica of St. Denis and headed
France
towards Syria.
The most important positions in the King’s
Government
council were held by the Great Officers of the
Crown of France.
The rule of the Capetian kings of France was
●
long, but lacking in power. The main fault of
the First Officer of the crown, he was
the earlier kings was a lack appropriate
the head of all other officers, the
resources or will to control their vassals. To
highest commander of the French
fix this Louis VI introduced an aggressive
policy,
demanding
that
his
vassals
army, and considered second in
be
command to the King.
obedient, and was backed by military force.
●
His son Louis VII furthered his power by
marrying
Eleanor
of
Aquitaine,
Connétable de France: Also known as
Chancelier: He oversaw the judicial
system.
which
●
stretched the Crown’s influence to southern
Seneschal: An administrative officer
in charge matters pertaining to the
France.
household,
Conseil du Roi (King’s Council)
including
domestic
arrangements and administration of
The King of France took advice from his
servants.
council before making important decisions.
●
The council was a body composed of trusted
Amiral de France : Commander of the
French Navy.
advisors to the King that looked over matters
●
Maréchal
de
France:
An
honor
bestowed upon the most exceptional
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●
generals. The Maréchal general des
century, the finances were entrusted with the
camps et armées du roi (Marshal
“Knights Templar” in Paris. They were a
General of Camps and Armies of the
Catholic military order, endorsed by the
King) was superior to the Marshal of
Roman Catholic church. The soldiers who
France and held authoritative power
were non-combatant during the Crusade
over all French armies.
oversaw the economic structure of France,
Grand
Chambrier
de
France:
and innovated new banking methods.
Manager of the Royal Treasury, with
Prévots
assistance from the Grand Bouteiller
Prévots were judges that governed the
(Grand
Butler).
The
Grand
scattered regions of the royal domain. They
Chamberman signed important letters
implemented royal power locally, which
and charters.
●
encompassed collecting the Crown’s domain-
Grand Chambellan de France : He
based revenues, taxes, and duties owed.
was initially in charge of the King’s
wardrobe,
having
important
role
a
Prévosts also took on the responsibility of
particularly
during
military defense, which included raising
coronation
contingents locally for royal armies. Provosts
cérémonies. He later was additionally
responsible
for
signing
also carried out judicial procedures, altough
royal
to a somewhat limited extent. Over time,
documents, charters, assisting during
provost positions became hereditary, and
peer trials, recording the oath of
homage
to
the
Crown,
etc.
therefore more difficult for the King to
He
Control. The King arranged for one of his
additionally had keys to the royal
great officers (the Great Seneschal) to
apartments.
supervise them.
The council was only constitutional – the
Other Institutions
final decision was the King’s. The king often
The country was also governed by other
did not follow through with the decisions of
institutions, like the States General and the
the council. In the council, the King would
Parlements. The States General was a
sign treaties, receive ambassadors, appoint
administrators,
and
elaborate
legislative assembly constituting three estates
on
(classes) of French subjects that the King
ordannances (laws of the realm).
would consult for issues such as fiscal policy
Court of Finances
and the presentation of petitions. The
The King had to survive on the revenue made
Parlements acted as the court of the judicial
from lands that he directly owned. If
system, comprising of over a dozen judges.
necessary, the taille (an exceptional tax) was
They had great power over legislation,
imposed, usually during times of war.
specifically regarding taxation. Laws issued
Initially, the King’s council handled all
by the King were not finalized unless they
financial responsibility, but by the 12th
received the approval of the Parlement. The
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members of the Parlement were aristocrats
was exported to England for use in building
(“nobles of the robe”) that were independent
cathedrals. One of the main exports, mainly
of the Crown and received their posts through
through Flanders, became finished fabrics--
inheritance.
heavier wools for England, lighter wools to
Economy
Spain and Italy, and linens and mixed cloths
Trade
England. The invention of the horizontal
After the invasions of the 9th and 10th
loom in the 11th century allowed for the
to Germany, using wool imported from
industrialization of weaving, and a profitable
centuries (mostly by Vikings), the Kingdom of
textile industry sprung up. Factories opened
France was left alone to recover and begin
(with mostly male workers), and the goal of
expanding again. By the end of the 11th
weaving became more exports than domestic
century the Rhine valley connected France to
England,
Flanders
and
Brabant.
uses. Other notable imports included wine
Ports
from the Rhinelands.
increased trade over the water, and trade
The Denier
increased over the longer distance between
Byzantine
and
conquests,
precursors
occurred
Venice.
late
11th
to
The
Norman
The gold coin was a standard in the Kingdom
the
Crusade,
of France up until the eighth century, when it
century
and
disappeared.
thus
Efforts
to
revive
it
and
strengthened the trade routes with Italy,
reinstitute a gold system failed. With the
England, and Sicily. In the 12th century, as
disappearance of the gold coin, the silver
the population grew and farming technology
denier (introduced by Charlemagne in the
advanced, the agricultural industry also grew.
seventh century) became the main currency
This was accompanied by massive land
in the Kingdom of France, replacing the last
clearance by nobles, which also helped to
of the gold trientes. While the denier was
promote the agricultural industry. Thus,
minted across the kingdom, it's worth varied
agriculture
economic
from mint to mint, and therefore so did the
industry. Finally, the Crusade not only
amount of money in a pound. From major
strengthened trade along its path, but opened
city to major city the currency could change,
the Mediterranean for trade, solidifying even
meaning that in every transaction, the denier
more
the
had to be converted to its local equivalent.
the
This caused significant instability which, by
became
trade
geographic
routes
area
of
the
and
main
expanding
commerce
for
Kingdom of France.
the 11th century, became an issue, especially
After recovering from the invasions and
with the increasing geographic spread and
establishing a strong trade system, the French
sheer amount of trade and commerce.
economy
beyond
However, even with the push for a more
agriculture. The port cities opened up a wide
stable currency people were distrustful of a
range of exports, including limestone, which
new coinage, afraid that it might destroy what
was
able
to
expand
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little wealth they had and allow lords to cheat
who.
them out of money. Thus, the transition from
development and government. High or noble
the unstable denier to a standard royal
birth
currency was a slow one, and the 12th century
socioeconomic status, and often determined
was a transition time to the royal currency
eligibility for certain orders. The lower classes
that would eventually become the most
were ostracized or ended up as vassals under
important currency in France. As the coin
feudal tenures.
stabilized, so did the economy, until the
Emerging in the 11th century the Kingdom of
economy was very coinage-based.
France also functioned under a strong feudal
pursued
was
independent
also
very
urban
important
in
Taxation
system, in which many vassals work land and
The Kingdom of France was, at first, expected
cultivate agriculture belonging to a lord.
Vassals owed their lord “aid and service.”;
to be somewhat self sufficient--that is, the
mostly as military service, but also any type of
king should gain income from his lands and
tax or payment paid by a vassal to their lord.
possessions instead of a direct and increasing
It was through this system that lords gained
taxation from his subjects. However, in
most of their income, and, before the
Europe overall, the 12th century was the
industrialization
beginning of a transition to new taxing
invasions,
support military and bureaucratic expansion.
service
from
compulsory
from
it
was
the
source
of
their
agriculture.
as well as due to an increase in war costs. the
shift
resulted
increasing trade rates and the cease of
systems as the King needed more money to
gradual
that
Military
military
to payments known as “shield
Through the centuries, the Kingdom of
payments” or scutage. Eventually, these taxes
France was defined by a quasi-constant state
shifted even further to allow the people to
of war. Those recurring conflicts influenced
vote on their taxes, a so called “consensual
the evolution of the military structure.
tax” system.
Until the 12th century the ost, the “the Royal
In the years leading up to 1147,
Army”,
however, France was just beginning this
was
predominantly
made
of
cavalrymen and officers of the court whom
transition. The King’s revenue, although
were chosen to be part of the “Military House
beginning to slowly shift, was still rooted in
of
the feudal system and the income from crown
the
King”,
later
to
become
the
“Bodyguard”. Their mission was to ensure the
lands.
security of the King from his rivals or isolated
Socioeconomic and Feudal System
threats, with the King possessing no standing
The Kingdom of France had a strong class
army.
system. The upper-class bourgeoisie, or
In order to increase the size of his ost, the
bourgs, came from mercantile communities
King turned to his vassals. Each Lord who
built up right outside the large fortified areas
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had promised loyalty to the King would
century. Hence there was no proper royal
contribute to the Royal Army by providing
navy until the end of the 13th century, which
knights and foot soldiers.
meant that all of the conflicts (including the
At first, under the Carolingian dynasty, the
Crusade) was on land.
foot soldiers obeyed to a military draft that
The Crusades
lasted the time of a military campaign. But
The Crusade was the first attempt to capture
during the 12th century, the length of this
the Holy Land, called by Pope Urban II in
military draft was reduced to 40 days, which
1095. This crusade was launched by the
became the norm for the vassals. At that
Christians in response to the Turks blocking
point, the calvary was considered the most
access to Jerusalem. Although the king could
experienced body of the army regarding
not participate, several lords did. At least 14
warfare, and likewise, its loyalty to the king
was
the
greatest.
The
general
different duchies and counties led by Knights
militia,
responded to the call of the Pope and left
however, was consisted of drafted men. These
Europe to conquer Jerusalem in 1096.
were only available for a short period of time
This call also unwillingly launched the
and did not feel the same loyalty to the king.
“People’s
Medieval warfare was therefore essentially
lack of military experience, they were quickly
was over, the rest of the ost was in charge of
killed by the Turks. Only 3,000 remained to
sieging the captured city, which was their
later join the actual Crusade. This prelude
official military directive. In the early Middle
was characterized by its lack of coordination
Age, the military technology could not allow
with other authorities of Europe and the
the armies to break the walls and other
rising of anti-semitism.
defenses of a well-fortified city, but when the
As already noted the French royal power was
city would finally surrender, the King could
fragile, especially at the time of the Crusade.
choose to plunder the city in order to reward
There was a daily struggle between the King
its troops or ask for its loyalty in order to gain
and the various lords, barons, and other
more vassals.
nobles to actually have the royal power
Other than this overall military structure, it
for
historians
to
15,000
at their first destination. However, due to a
would settle the outcome of a battle. Once it
hard
over
to the Byzantine Empire. Over 25,000 arrived
The strength and the speed of this “elite” foce
been
when
pilgrims led by Peter the Hermit left Europe
defined by the strategical use of the cavalry.
has
Crusade,”
recognized. The King’s power depended more
find
on compromise than coercive force.
documentation that would give an accurate
A lack of political and military hierarchy
number regarding the size of the armies.
allowed
The Navy
for
the
Crusade
to
fragment
significantly. Four main Lords from different
The royal territory was not bordered by water
regions of Europe led their armies in order to
until the territorial extensions of the late 12th
conquer. Combining all their forces together,
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approximately 35,000 crusaders took part in
of them were involved in some kind of
the Crusade.
dispute or tension around the early to late
The relationship between the Byzantine
1140s.
Empire and the crusaders quickly became
Duchy of Aquitaine
complex. Initially, they were supposed to
The Duchy of Aquitaine, originally under
defend Byzantine from Turkish invasion,
Charlemagne control, had separated into a
turned their attention to conquering new
sovereign state via a string of Poitiers dukes,
territories for themselves.
at one point even being classified as a
One of the main leaders of this expedition
was
Godfrey
of
Bouillon,
who
kingdom in its own right. These dukes,
finally
especially the Williams, also continually
succeeded in conquering Jerusalem but
expanded Aquitaine, adding Gascony and
refused to be crowned King of the city out of
Toulouse, until it was incredibly large and
respect for Jesus Christ.
powerful territory, albeit one that fluctuated
In the Kingdom of France, the King was
perceived as weak at the end of the
in exact area several times over the century.
11th
In 1137, the current duke William X died,
century, but the in the 12th century, Louis VI
leaving his vast amount of lands to his 15-
rose and significantly increased France’s
year-old daughter, Eleanor. She was placed
power and strength.
under the care of king Louis VI of France and,
Territorial Disputes
within the same year, was married to his son
Louis VII. A few months after that Louis VI
The Kingdom of France was one of the largest
died, leaving Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis
kingdoms in Medieval Europe, with an
VII the crown king and queen of the Kingdom
estimated population of six million in the
of France. Thus, the lands of Aquitaine
year 1000 (for comparison, England at that
officially became a part of the Kingdom of
point only measured two million). These six
France. Over the next decade leading to 1147,
million people were spread amongst duchies,
Eleanor bore Louis no sons. However, the
sovereign territories governed by dukes and
territory of Aquitaine was tied to her name.
fairly independent, but still vassals of the
Thus, despite tension for lack of an heir, their
king. Such lords and dukes often caused
problems
and
often
became
nearly
marriage--and the royal control of Aquitaine-
as
-remained intact.
powerful as the king himself. Although
England
was
smaller
in
Duchy of Normandy
population.
In the late 10th century, the Treaty of Saint-
Throughout the 12th century, there was
Clair-sur-Epte was struck between West
continuing conflict with England and the
Francia and the vikings to create the
Kingdom of France over land disputes and
sovereign Duchy of Normandy. Though
exchanges throughout the region. In fact, of
independent and under the control of dukes,
the five major duchies of the time, nearly all
it was still a part of the Kingdom of France
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though the beginnings of the Capetian
gained control of it, through succession, in
dynasty. Thus began Normandy’s tumultuous
1002. Duke Henry I died, leaving the land to
history regarding French and English control.
his nephew Robert the Pious, King of France.
In 1035, after William the Conqueror's
However, this upset his stepson, the Roman
Norman conquest of England, it fell under the
Otto-William, who was the intended heir. In
control of Norman dukes. After several failed
1003 Robert invaded Burgundy, with the help
attempts on the part of King Louis IV to
of Richard II of Normandy. This led to an
regain it (a failed invasion in 1119), it was
extended conflict between France and the
finally fully captured by Geoffrey Plantagenet
Roman Empire over Burgundy. Eventually,
of Anjou in 1145, during his six-year conquest
Rome backed out of the clash, and although
of Normandy.Although Geoffrey Plantagenet
Burgundy remained technically imperial it
was French, Normandy was more sovereign
also maintained strong French connections.
than it was royal lands. In the years that
Eventually, France managed to take it back
followed tensions remained high, as King
fully into Capetian control, the broken off
Louis kept his sights on regaining the
piece of Auxerre going straight into complete
territory.
royal control. Although in 1147 Burgundy was
Duchy of Brittany
a fairly stable part of France, this battle and
dispute is etched into their history.
Unlike the other duchies, Brittany’s past was
solidly Gaelic. Creating a cultural separation.
Disagreement over Gisors
Brittany made its way out of Viking control to
Gisors, an incredibly strategically important
French control before breaking off nearly
piece of land and castle between England and
entirely. For much of the 10th century it was
France, was also frequently disputed. In 1119,
ruled by Alan Barbetorte, who went so far as
King Louis claimed Gisors for his own. Henry
to call himself a king. After Alan’s death in
retaliated quickly and swiftly, and a conflict
952, however, Brittany had a secession crisis
began. Eventually Louis backed down and
and fell victim to all its surrounding
signed a treaty conceding control of Gisors
territories. For centuries after that, including
over to Henry and England. This didn’t last
the 12th, Brittany had no strong ruler. The
long, however, before King Louis violated the
duke payed homage to Normandy, but all the
peace treaty and marched on a nearby
surrounding
for
English town. Thus resumed the fairly violent
themselves, including the Kingdom of France,
conflictuntil the pope met with the two kings
who longed to have Brittany back in its
at Gisors to negotiate peace in 1120. All lands
control again.
taken were to be returned, all prisoners to be
states
still
wanted
it
Duchy of Burgundy
released. Gisors returned to its neutral, pre-
Stemming from the original Kingdom of
conflict state. Although also not an active
conflict, the territorial dispute here was a
Burgundy, the duchy of Burgundy had grown
historical event, and both states still, in 1147,
to an impressive size by the time France
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have their eye on claiming Gisors for
Islam, dwith his negative but tolerant
themselves.
interpretation of Islam.
Religion
Bernard of Clairvaux was called upon to
combat heresy by Pope Eugene III, one of
During the Middle Ages, the Arab-Islamic
his disciples. In 1145 he travelled to
spread led to significant changes along the
Southern France to strengthen the support
Mediterranean. Many of the Muslim troops
against heresy. Because of his work, the
during the Islamic spread originated in
Henrician and Petrobrusians faiths began to
Berber, and also that there were Muslim
die out by the end of the year.
communities in Nimes, practicing alongside
On May 8th, 1147 a mob attacked the Jews
the Christians.
on the second day of Shavuot (Pentecost) in
In 1143, 150 Jews were murdered in Ham,
Rameru, France. Rabbenu Tam was one of
France. In the town of Carentan the Jews
the mob's victims. After being stabbed five
defended themselves, but in the end were
times, to match the five wounds of Jesus, he
defeated too. A year later, Louis VIII
was saved by a passing knight. His house
condemned falsely converted Jews to die.
was ransacked, however, and a Torah scroll
Regardless, the general position of tolerance
was destroyed. He was one of the most
towards Judaism in France still continues,
renowned
with not all Jews were affected by the King’s
leading halakhic authority in his generation,
decree.
and one of Rashi’s grandsons (Rashi was a
Peter the Venerable, Abbot of Cluny, urged
widely respected medieval French rabbi).
Louis VII to hate the Jews but not kill them,
Ashkenazi Jews were a Jewish diaspora
instead to punish them in a more fitting way
population in the Holy Roman Empire at
than death. He was a part of many significant
the time. Rabbenu Tam was known for his
religious councils of his time, like the Council
communal enactments improving family
of Pisa (1134) and the Council of Reims
life, education, and women's status in the
(1147), and defended the French theologian
Jewish
Peter
understandably, upset many.
Abelard
after
his
Trinitarian
Ashkenazi Jewish
community.
rabbis,
His
a
death,
of Sens. He managed to mitigate the sentence
The English Anarchy
of the council and reconcile Abelard with St.
In 1120, the sinking of the White Ship led to
Bernard of Clairvaux, his hardest critic. Peter
the sudden death of King Henry I of
also participated in a translation project that
England’s only legitimate son and heir,
included the first-ever translation into Latin
William. Five years later, in 1125, Henry V of
of the Qur'an, and thanks to this translation
the Roman Empire died as well, leaving
the West had its first instrument to study
behind a widowed Matilda--Henry I’s only
interpretation was condemned by the Council
other
11
legitimate
child.
After
some
nyu mu n c viii
deliberation and a marriage to Geoffrey of
pledged to Matilda, her lack of action
Anjou, Henry decided that Matilda would be
combined with support from various bishops
the heir to his throne, and would succeed him
and lords made it easy for Stephen to declare
as ruler of England. He went so far as to, in
himself the new king.
1127, 1128, and 1131, force barons in England
Stephen’s Regime and the Civil War
and Normandy to take an oath promising to
Stephen’s main fault was in his lack of strong
accept her as monarch. This was, however,
leadership. His mercenaries followed no laws
not popular. Matilda’s womanhood made her
an
unpopular
choice,
and
her
and he relentlessly tried to build a party
French
around himself, actions which only further
husband (no matter how rocky the marriage)
alienated the barons. The recruitment of
made the English wary of being ruled by a
Flemish mercenaries started around 1137,
foreigner.
unlike Henry I’s choice of French and British
Henry’s sudden death in 1135 destroyed all
mercenaries during the first crusade. This
chances of one of Matilda’s sons becoming
choice caused tension in the Norman army
heir instead--although she had two, they were
and mass dropouts, which only hindered
both much too young. The oaths were broken
or
invalidated,
Matilda
had
just
Stephen’s rule and campaign.
been
This opened the door for Robert, Earl of
recovering from a possibly deathly illness,
Gloucester and Matilda’s half-brother, to
and she made no move to return to England
come to her aid. In 1138 he went to war with
and seize her crown. All of this opened up the
Stephen to defend his sister, and at first
kingdom to a civil war. Later to be referred to
Stephen seemed to be winning. However,
as The Anarchy, the civil war was fought in
when he arrested a bishop, he lost both the
both England and Normandy (which at this
support and power of the church. Matilda
point was still solidly under English control,
herself finally saw her chance at action and
much to the dismay of King Louis VI), and
launched a counterattack in 1139, managing
lasted through the 1140s.
to amass nearly half of England in a short
Stephen of Blois
period of time. In 1141 Stephen was captured
Stephen of Blois was the grandson of William
by the Angevins, but a protest in London
the Conqueror, nephew of King Henry I, and
allowed for his release in exchange for
cousin to Matilda. After the tragic death of his
Gloucester. From then on a civil war between
father, count of Blois in the crusade, Stephen
Matilda and Stephen raged on.
was sent to the English court and raised
Status in 1147
mostly by his uncle, although he still retained
In 1143, there was a stalemate between the
French nobility.
two sides after Stephen was defeated by
After his uncle’s death in 1135, Stephen
Robert. While there was still fighting, there
crossed back across the English Channel to
was also time to pursue other interests for a
take the English crown. Although it had been
few years. However, in October of 1147
12
nyu mu n c viii
Robert of Gloucester, one of Matilda’s most
and making his own decisions. There was a
avid supporters, died. In 1147 fighting was
new alliance between Angers and Paris,
beginning to slow down, but The Anarchy was
possibly because Geoffrey of Anjou (who, at
still raging on.
that point, was conquering Normandy) had
Importance to the Kingdom of
offered him the Vexin, a powerful piece of
France
Normandy that the French crown had been
wanting back for as long as they had no
For much of this time, King Louis VI of
France
tried—and
failed--
to
longer owned it. By 1145, however, the
regain
Angevins were moving towards reclaiming
Normandy, and established himself as a main
Normandy, with a special interest in the
enemy of King Henry I. He had already
Vexin. Wanting to do anything to preserve it,
placed an ally as the count of Flanders with
Louis temporarily distracted the Count of
William Clito--something that led to tensions
Meulan by giving him Gournay-sur-Marne,
rising in the first place, due to the now joint
then continued to watch the Angevins with
opposition of England by both Louis and
unease.
William. Not only was Stephen from France
Sanitary Environment
and heir to Blois, an important piece of
Northern France, his appearance as King of
and Diseases
England pushed back the Angevin kings-something Louis was desperately trying to do.
In the Middle Ages, the source of most
Stephen in power not only fought back the
diseases came from the lack of hygiene,
Angevins, but it stopped the English territory
mostly caused by poor medical knowledge of
from expanding and encroaching upon the
the time. From the 11th to the 12th century, the
northern parts of France, such as Blois. To
increase of population in Europe led the
Louis, this was the best that could have
peasants to move from the countryside to the
happened. In fact, in 1136, King Louis VI
cities. The garbage and human waste were
wrote a testimonial for Stephen of Blois,
piled up in the streets or thrown into the
recommending him for the role of king. From
rivers, which spread bacteria and disease and
then until the king’s death in 1137, there was
contaminated the water. In the early-to-mid
a strong agreement between Blois-Chartres,
12th century the streets were not paved, and
Normandy, and Paris. Count Theobald,
another
prominent
Northern
there were no sewers. To clean the detritus,
French
the pigs who were living in the streets would
nobleman, also wrote a letter in support of
eat the garbage, further spreading diseases
Stephen of Blois and his rise to the crown.
through animals.
This action brought Theobald and Louis
The access to water was also a crucial aspect
closer together, ending their conflict.
for a sanitary environment, one that was
By 1141 the civil war was in full swing, and the
somewhat restricted in the Kingdom of
new King Louis VII was watching it carefully
13
nyu mu n c viii
France. In Paris, the Church was in charge of
nobility. For instance, Raoul de Vermandois
building aqueducts to supply the population
in the 12th century was a victim of leprosy.
with clean water. This led to very few public
Ergotism
fountains being available (less than 18 in the
Known as “Holy Fire” or “Saint Anthony’s
whole of the city). Undernourishment and
Fire” during the Medieval Age, Ergotism is
lack of hygiene during those days contributed
the long-term effect of ergot poisoning. It
significantly to the spread of epidemics.
came from the ingestion of a fungus that
There were several main diseases that spread
infects cereals, and is often spread in the
and caused problems in the Kingdom of
summer when the new crop is harvested. The
France.
symptoms of ergotism began with painful
Early Plagues
seizures, spasms, and diarrhea. Then the
The plague was a disease that spread widely,
gangrene would attack the fingers and toes
and for a long time, during the medieval
before spreading to the rest of the body. The
period and middle ages. This infectious
disease was called “Holy Fire” because the
disease was very easily transmitted through
diseased would feel like their bodies were
human
burning from the inside, their skin falling
contact
or
water
and
food
contamination, and could also be carried by
away and their bones breaking.
animals. It first appeared during the 6th
This epidemic disease strongly hit France
century as the Plague of Justinian. The
during
Plague of Justinian was a pandemic that
Champagne
spread through the Byzantine Empire, killing
Cambrai where 12,000 people died.
roughly 25 million people from 531 to 580.
The church took a holy stance in its response
Leprosy
Leprosy
was
an
ancient
the
11th
and
Limousin,
12th
centuries
Lorraine
,
in
and
to this disease. In order to fight it, the Church
disease
started religious parades and encouraged the
that
population to go on holy pilgrimages. These
originated in many places, but the Christian
pilgrimages were successful, and the monks
crusade of the 11th century aided greatly to its
from the Order of Saint Anthony became
spread. the lepers became a distinctive class
famous for them. The success of the
of the society:Once suspected of leprosy, a
pilgrimages actually came from the fact that
person was considered dead by the family and
the pilgrims had to move away from the
the Church, a fake funeral was hosted, and
contaminated cereals, therefore mitigating
the leper was forced to leave in complete
the symptoms of the disease on the short
isolation from the rest of the society.
term.
Excluded and feared by everyone, the leper
was forbidden to have any human contact or
Dysentery
to share the same water or food as the rest of
Dysentery became especially well spread
the people. This terrible disease did not
across Europe after the events of the Crusade.
discriminate. It spared no one, not even
In 1098, the crusaders besieging the city of
14
nyu mu n c viii
Romaioi
Antioch were decimated by this disease. T
themselves
after a lack of food and proper sanitation.
because of Persians and Slav invasions,
Doctors
Muslim
The Crusade was a holy war between
afflicted as soon as they ceased the sinning.
Christians of the West against Muslims in the
Because of this, there were very few doctors.
East. When the Seljuk Turks attacked
There were, however, three distinguished
Constantinople, Emperor Alexius I looked for
professions of medicine in France that
help from the west, which lead to the the
in the 12th century: doctors,
initial declaration of holy war by Pope Urban
surgeons and barbers. They were all trained
II at Clermont (France) that started the
at either Montpellier and Paris, the only two
Crusade. When French, German and Italian
places in France who taught medicine. Even
armies came to Byzantium to fight against the
with the training available, the number of
Turks, Alexius attempted to force the leaders
doctors remained low. In fact, there were only
of the armies to swear loyalty to him and
about 80 licensed doctors in the entirety of
ensure that the Byzantine Empire would get
the Kingdom of France.
back the land taken away from them by the
As expected, their primary missions were to
Turks. Once both the Western and the
treat the plague and leprosy. Very few
were
made,
Byzantine armies regained Nicaea from the
and
Turks, Alexius made his army retreat, leading
doctors did not oversee childbirth, leading to
to the rest of the crusaders accusing him of
an extremely high number of maternal deaths
betraying them.
during and after childbirth.
Foreign Relations
The Byzantine territory was less prone to
Byzantine Empire
Constantinople was located along a strait and
attacks
location.
The Holy Roman Empire was a large group of
ideal due to its location between Europe and
territories in central Europe, consisting
Asia, making trade and transit easy. Once
primarily followers of Roman Catholicism.
Constantine died his Roman Empire split into
After 962, the largest and most prominent
east and west, and the Byzantine Empire was
kingdom in the Holy Roman Empire was the
founded from the east. The members of the
Kingdom of Germany. Other prominent
Byzantine empire were proud of their Roman
even
its
Holy Roman Empire
Capital, one he named Constantinople. It was
heritage,
of
hard to get past its defenses.
I chose Byzantium to hold the new Roman
Christian
because
shared borders with a lot of Europe, making it
In 330 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine
and
Byzantine
Africa, and other territories.
punishment for sins, and healed those
procedures
the
took over Syria, the Holy Land, Egypt, North
the work of God, who sent them as
chirurgical
attacked
Later,
Empire through Syria. The Islamic forces
In the Middle Ages, diseases were considered
emerged
armies
(Romans).
kingdoms were the Kingdom of Burgundy,
calling
15
nyu mu n c viii
the Kingdom of Italy, and the Kingdom of
and Palestine. In the 11th century, the Seljuk
Bohemia. The empire was first ruled by
empire won a battle against the Byzantine
Frankish, then German kings. As the empire
army and took the Byzantine emperor
was so ethnically diverse, it was never as
Romanus IV Diogenes prisoner, giving an
politically unified as the Kingdom of France
opening for Turkish tribes to settle in Asia
was. Instead, it was decentralized, consisting
Minor. The Seljuk empire was known for its
of
ability to restore Muslim unity under their
hundreds
of
duchies,
counties,
principalities, Free Imperial Cities, etc.
Sunni caliphate, and managed to instate a
During the Crusade, parts of the Holy Roman
network of colleges to give training to state
Empire (e.g. Germany, Italy), alongside the
administrators and religious scholars. The
Kingdom of France, went to Byzantium to aid
last trace of the Seljuks were those who died
the Byzantine Empire in regaining their land
on the battlefield in the early 12th century.
from the Seljuk Turks. This was part of their
During the Crusade the Seljuk Empire was
efforts to rid the region of Islam and promote
focused its attention on its fragmented states
Roman Catholicism. However, on defeating
over defeating the crusaders, making it easy
the
to
for the crusaders coming from Western
Byzantium, the Byzantine army retreated,
Europe and the Byzantine Empire to march
leaving the Holy Roman leaders with a sense
into Seljuk territory to conquer the city of
of betrayal.
Nicaea. After countless months of fighting,
Turks
and
recovering
Nicaea
Seljuk Empire
the Seljuks surrendered. The Crusade army
The rise of the Seljuk Empire began with
took Nicaea and then made their way to
Jerusalem, but were stopped at the city of
migrations during the 10th century, including
Antioch, which had been occupied by the
Turkish people from Central Asia and
Seljuks since 1085. Antioch, a Christian city,
Southeast Russia. One nomadic tribe was
was blocking the crusaders’ way to Jerusalem.
lead by a man named Seljuk. His people
Both sides fought a long and arduous battle
settled in the lower portion of the Jaxartes
until the Seljuks were defeated. It took years
River, and years later converted to the Islamic
for the Muslim empires to organize a
version of the Sunnite. With the help of
retaliation against the Christian opposition.
Seljuk’s grandsons, the Seljuk people formed
The Seljuk army and empire was fragmented
an alliance with Persian forces to acquire
until Zengi become the chief and took the city
more land for their own empire. The two
of Aleppo without a problem. In the 12th
grandsons, Chafri and Tugril, controlled a
century he focused his vision on the Christian
great deal of land--including an empire which
city of Edessa, which was only lightly
then included parts of western Iran and
defended. He took the city and was praised
Mesopotamia. After their deaths, the sultans
for his brave efforts against the First Crusade
Alp-Arslan and Malik-Shah extended the
Seljuk empire over Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria
16
nyu mu n c viii
but was then assassinated, and his power was
weakened, which slowed the scientific and
handed down to his sons.
historical enlightenment.
Abbasid Caliphate
Fatimid Caliphate
The history of the Seljuk Empire and the
The Fatimid Caliphate was technically under
Abbasid Caliphate go hand in hand as they
the control Abbasid Caliphate, and fought
fight for power and land. In the 8th century
hard to be seen as a powerful caliphate in its
the dynasty of Umayyad was challenged by an
own right, as well as an important state in the
army of Persian-Arab soldiers, who seized
Mediterranean
Muslim lands. Unlike the Umayyads, who
submission to the Abbasid Caliphate and
were based in Syria, the Abbasids made the
fighting their own civil war, the Fatimid
executive decision to move the capital to
Caliphate turned its attention to expanding
Baghdad. Even though the leaders of the
across the Mediterranean Sea. They started
Abbasids were Arab, the intellectual and
with Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya in
cultural factors the influenced the caliphate
order to threaten the trade paths, then
were Persian. The empire's golden age came
continued by engaging a war in Almeria,
around the 9th and 10th century, when
Spain. This effectively halted the trade of
Baghdad to be the study hub of history,
gold, food, and slaves between the European
culture and philosophy. Here concepts of
Empires and the African countries.
basic mathematics, algebra and geometry
The Kingdom of France was especially
were studied and written about. The work of
concerned with one war in particular, one the
Al Khwarizmi was later translated into
Fatimid
Persian, Hindu and Greek texts for easy
Byzantine Empire, as it took place in Sicilia.
spread in the Muslim lands. His texts also
The Duché de Bourgogne sent warriors to the
proved to influence Europe especially Greek
Kingdom’s borders, attempting to stop the
thinkers like Aristotle.
Fatimid
To gain wealth and maintain a stable
Additionally, due to the muslim community
economy the Abbasid dynasty depended on
arriving in the Kingdom of France, the
taxes and military control, but by the 11th
Kingdom also had to be wary of the Fatimid
century their fragmented political system
Caliphate trying to infiltrate the territory and
proved too weak to keep tribes from
attacking
attacking. In 1055, the Abbasid dynasty lost
control of Baghdad to the Seljuk tribe.
Although the Seljuks took over power, the
Abbasids still ruled their dynasty under their
control. While the Seljuks continued to
expand toward the west and combat the
Crusades,
the
Abbasid
political
system
17
region.
Caliphate
army
started
from
France
After
years
against
directly
from
of
the
attacking.
within.
nyu mu n c viii
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