Download Church Reform and the Crusades

Church Reform and the Crusades
• Period of invasions between Magyars, Muslims, and
Vikings known as “Dark Ages”
Age of Faith
• Monasteries lead a religious revival– monastery in Cluny,
France was essential to the restoration of original doctrine
and the expansion of the Church’s authority
Problems in the Church
• Some priests are illiterate; some popes had questionable
morals; some bishops cared more about their social
position than their religious influence
• Most issues involved:
1. Village priests marrying and having families
2. Bishops practice simony
3. Continued practice of lay investiture by the king
Reform and Church Organization
• Pope Leo and Pope Gregory begin the reformation, and
subsequent popes follow their lead
• In the 12th-13th centuries the church is reorganized to
resemble a kingdom, with the pope at its head; pope’s
group of advisors is called papal “Curia” (who also interpret
Canon Law in the religious court)
• Church begins organized taxing (tithe) and uses proceeds to
care for the weak
New Religious Orders
• “friars” travel from place to place preaching and spreading
the gospel
• Dominics and Franciscans  orders of friars
• Women play important role in revival by doing many of the
same things as friars, just without traveling
Cathedrals- Cities of God
• Cathedrals were churches in the cities that displayed all the
richness that Christianity had to offer
New Style of Church Architecture
• Switch from Romanesque to Gothic  stained glass
windows, sculptures, and statues
• Gothic cathedrals were built all throughout France  Notre
Dame in Paris
• ***see structural design on page 381
The Crusades
• In 1093, Alexius Comnenus asks for help against Muslim Turks
trying to overtake Constantinople
• Pope Urban II reads the appeal letter, and issues a “Crusade” to
regain the holy land
Goals of the Crusades
• Social, political, and religious goals
• Pope wanted to unite Christendom and regain Palestine
• Kings and the Church saw the Crusades as a way to get rid of
knights, who repeatedly fight each other
• Some Crusaders were younger sons who didn’t inherit their
father’s lands, and therefore need land
• Merchants make $ from lending their boats to transport armies,
and financing the journeys
1st and 2nd Crusades
• Pope assures martyrs that they will receive eternal
salvation
• By 1097 three armies of knights go to war
• They’re ill-prepared (climate, geography, or culture of
Jerusalem), but are able to capture it in 1099
• The conquered lands (Crusader states) were vulnerable to
attack and in 1144 get ransacked by Muslim Turks
• The 2nd Crusade was another attempt to regain Palestine,
but was ultimately ineffective in 1187 Saladin had
already united Muslim armies and taken over Jerusalem
3rd Crusade
• Led by Philip II of France, Frederick I (Barbarossa), and
Richard the Lion-Hearted
• Philip II argues with Richard and goes home; Frederick I
drowns on the journey  Richard is left to lead the
Crusades by himself
• Both were great warriors, and in 1192 they reach a truce
stating that Jerusalem would remain under Muslim control
but that Christians could freely visit the city’s holy places
Crusading Spirit Dwindles
• In 1204 the 4th Crusade to regain Jerusalem fails; so do
subsequent Crusades because Crusaders begin fighting for
personal wealth rather than religious reasons
Children’s Crusade
• In 1212, over 30,000 French kids under eighteen years old
believe that God will “give” them Jerusalem; most die from
starvation or colds but others were sold into slavery
• 20,000 German kids march toward Rome where the Pope
told them to wait until they were older to begin fighting 
only around 2,000 survived the return trip
Spanish Crusade
• The Reconquista was a movement to rid Spain of the Moors
(Muslims)
• In 1492, Isabella and Ferdinand capture the last Spanish
Muslim kingdom of Granada.
• Isabella and Ferdinand make use of the “Inquisition” to
unify Spain  court to suppress heresy; heretics were
burned at stake
• In 1492, the monarchs expel all Jews and Muslims from
Spain
Effects of the Crusades
• Displayed the power of the Church during the medieval
period
• Merchants who lived and traded in the Crusader states
expanded trade between Europe and Southeast Asia
(spices, fruits, and cloth)
• Later Crusades lessened the power of the pope and the
power of feudal nobility while it strengthened the power of
kings
• Caused the fall of the Constantinople, which led to the fall
of the Byzantine Empire
• Christian intolerance and hatred towards Muslims fueled
tensions between the two religions, which carries on to
today.
Changes in Medieval Society
• Along with Church reform and the Crusades came other
important changes in agriculture, trade, and finance
Growing Food Supply
• Warm climate improved cultivation output
• New methods of farming increase output
Switch to Horsepower
• Horse replaces the oxen and is 3X as effective
• The axe is introduced to clear fields for farming
The Three-Field System
• Around 800, villages begin organizing their lands into three
fields rather than two; allows usage of 2/3 rather than just
½  leads to population growth
The Guilds
• Organization of individuals in the same occupation working to
improve the conditions of its members  “union”
• Guilds set standards for quality of work, wages, and working
conditions
Commercial Revolution
• Expansion of trade goods and new ways of doing business
Fairs and Trade
• Cloth was the most common trade item
• Trading happened in towns
• Local markets contain day to day necessities no longer manor
• Trade routes open up, and more foreign goods become available
• Merchants invest in merchandise that they can resale at a
higher price
Business and Banking
• As traders move from city to city, the need for exchange
rates and credit becomes important
• In order to buy goods from distant places, merchants had
to borrow money
• Originally the Church forbids usury, but eventually loosens
up and allows Christians to enter the banking business
Society Changes
• The Commercial Revolution brought many changes to
society, but the main two were:
1. What people did to earn a living
2. Where they lived
Urban Life Flourishes
• Between 1000-1150 the population grows from 30 to 42
million people
• Towns typically housed 1-2 thousand (largest was Paris at
60,000)
Trade and Towns Grow Together
• As trade grew, towns swelled with people
• Some setbacks:
1. Streets were narrow, lined with animals and their wastes
2. Most people never bathed; their houses lacked fresh air,
light, and clean water
3. Serfs fled their manors in search of freedom (residency for
a year and a day)
Merchant Class Shifts the Social Order
• Merchants and craftspeople don’t fit into the medieval
feudal social system
• Originally, towns were under the control of feudal lords but
as trade expanded the burghers (merchant class) resented
this interference in their trade and commerce
• Burghers organized themselves and demanded privileges
such as exemption from tolls and right to govern the town
Revival of Learning
Muslim Connection
• Jewish people translate the Greek works of the
philosophers into Latin so that Christians can understand
them  Europeans gain a new body of knowledge
• Europeans made advancements in science, philosophy, law,
math, etc.
• Christian Europeans also adopted technology in ships,
navigation, and weapons
Scholars and the University
• New European institution that consisted of “people” and
not a “building”
• First arose in Paris, France and Bologna, Italy and later in
Oxford and Salerno, Italy.
• Scholars begin writing in vernacular because it applies to
the masses, while most don’t know how to read Latin
Aquinas and Medieval Philosophy
• Christians are excited about Greek philosophy and want to
apply it to the Bible
• In the mid-1200’s, Thomas Aquinas argued that the most
basic religious truths could be proved by logical argument
• Aquinas and his “schoolmen”, scholastics, met to debate
many issues of their time
England and France Develop
• After the Carolingian dynasty, Europe consisted of
feudal lands controlled by local lords the decline
of this system and movement to towns and villages
led to more centralized government and the
development of nations
• Earliest in Europe were England and France
England Absorbs Waves of Invaders
• Various European invaders occupy what would be named
England. Two of the groups who stayed were the Angles
and the Saxons  they form Anglo-Saxon culture
Early Invasions
• In the 800’s, England was invaded repeatedly by Danish
Vikings. Only Alfred the Great (r. 871-899) suppressed the
Viking invasions, and united the kingdom under the name
England (land of the Angles)
• In 1016 AD the Danish king Canute conquers England and
molds Vikings with Anglo-Saxons
• In 1066 AD, King Edward dies without picking a successor (r.
1042-1066)  this led to one last invasion
The Norman Conquest
• Invader was William (the Conqueror), the duke of
Normandy
• Norman  Vikings
• As King Edward’s cousin, William claimed the English
throne and invaded England with a Norman army
• William rivaled Harold Godwinson, who was equally
ambitious
• On October 14th, 1066 Normans and Anglo-Saxons fought
in the Battle of Hastings  changed the course of England
forever
• The Normans win – Harold dies from an arrow through his
eye
• After victory, William takes land from lords who supports
Harold and redistributes it to supporters of his own; he
keeps 1/5th of the land for himself
England’s Evolving Government
• Over the next centuries, English kings wanted 2 things:
1. Sustain and add to their French lands
2. Strengthen their power over the nobles and Church
• William’s descendants own land in England and Normandy;
Henry II marries Eleanor of Aquitaine  this gives him land in
France and makes him a vassal to the French king while also
being king of England
Juries and Common Law
• Henry rules from 1154-1189 and strengthens the royal court
• He sends royal judges to every part of England at least once a
year to collect taxes, settle lawsuits, and punish criminals
• Henry also introduces the idea of a “jury”
• The rulings of Henry’s court became known as “common law”
The Magna Carta
• Henry is succeeded by his son Richard (the Lion-Hearted),
and Richard by younger brother John
• John was ineffective militarily (r. 1199-1216) and lost
Normandy and all lands in France to French military
commander Philip Augustus  confrontation w/ own
nobles
• John’s personality was the problem:
1. Cruel to his subjects
2. Alienated the Church
3. Raised taxes to an all-time high to finance his wars
4. Threatened to take away town charters guaranteeing selfgvmt.
• On June 15th, 1215 John’s subjects forced him to agree to the
Magna Carta (Great Charter)
• This document guaranteed certain basic political rights  no
taxation without representation, a jury trial, and protection
under the law.
The Model Parliament
• Under the rule of the next English king, Edward I, a parliament is
constructed
• In 1295, Edward summoned two burgesses from every borough
and two knights from each county to serve on this legislative
group
• Called the “model” parliament because its comprised of nobles
and commoners and served later kings in English history
• The knights and burgesses made up the “House of Commons”,
and nobles and bishops made up “House of Lords”  both
served as a check on royal power.
Capetian Dynasty Rules France
• After the breakup of Charlemagne’s empire, French counts
and dukes ruled their lands independently under feudalism
• After the last Carolingian ruler died, Hugh Capet takes rules
over a small territory, but it includes Paris
• Hugh Capet begins the Capetian dynasty
France Becomes a Separate Kingdom
• The Capets were all weak rulers, but their geography
allowed them to control important trade routes throughout
Europe which eventually expanded the king’s power and
united France
Philip II Expands His Power
• Philip II (r. 1180-1223) sought to limit the English kings in
France because of his personal vendettas
• Philip II had little success against Henry II or his son
Richard; this changed when John took the throne
• Philip II expands the territory of France  seized
Normandy from King John in 1204
• He tripled the land under his direct control, and for the first
time French kings had more power than his vassals
• Like in England, France and Philip II establish a centralized
government
Philip II’s Heirs
• Gvmt becomes even stronger under Philip II’s grandson,
Louis IX (r. 1216-1270)
• Louis IX was pious and saintly and seen as an ideal king
• Louis IX establishes an appeals court, which could overturn
decisions of local courts  strengthened the royal court
while weakening feudal ties
• In 1302, Philip IV (r. 1285-1314) was involved in a quarrel
with the pope b/c the pope refused to allow priests to pay
tax to the king
• Philip IV disputes the right of the pope to control church
affairs in his kingdom
• To gain support in this quarrel, Philip IV holds a meeting
and invites commoners to ensure support
Estates General
• A societal structure that consists of
1. 1st Estate- Church Leaders
2. 2nd Estate- great lords
3. 3rd Estate- commoners, wealthy landholders, & merchants
• The Estates General helped establish royal authority over
nobility
• Never becomes independent and limits king’s power like
Parliament
• 3rd Estate would eventually overthrow the monarchy in the
French Revolution in 1789
Beginnings of Democracy
• England and France (w/ help of Parliament and Estates
General) begin to establish democratic principals
• Rested on the ability to set up a centralized government to
control a vast amount of land
• Creation of common law and court systems were a step
towards increased centralized power
• Including commoners in decision-making was also
influential in building democratic ideas
Hundred Years War & the Plague
• Toward the end of the 13th century, the Church was
beginning to fall apart, and the Medieval way of life was
falling apart
A Church Divided
Pope and King Collide
• 1300- Pope Boniface VIII tries to flex papal muscle on the
king. King Philip IV of France fires back by asserting power
on bishops, and Pope Boniface writes an official document
declaring kings must always obey the pope.
• King Philip IV imprisons Boniface VII  the Church rescued
him, but he died a month later
• Never again would a pope be able to force monarchs to
obey them
Avignon and the Great Schism
• In 1305, Philip IV convinces the College of Cardinals to
choose an archbishop to the papacy.
• Clement V is elected, and moves from Rome to Avignon
(where the papacy remained for 69 yrs)
• The move hurt the papacy, and the C.o.C. selected Pope
Urban VI to make mobs who wanted a Roman pope happy
• Urban VI was arrogant and wanted reforms, which led to
the C.o.C. electing Clement VII a few months later  2
popes!
• Urban VI lived in Rome, while Clement VII lived in Avignon.
Both excommunicated each other, and created the Great
Schism
• The Council of Constance appoints a new pope (3), but the
Holy Roman Emperor insists they all resign. In 1417, he
appoints Martin V to a vastly deteriorated papacy
Scholars Challenge Church Authority
• John Wycliffe challenges papacy by arguing that Jesus
Christ is the head of the church, not the pope
• Hated the materialism of the clergy, and argued the Bible
should by the guidance people seek instead of confession
• Jan Hus, a student of Wycliffe’s writing, argued the Bible
was higher than the pope  excommunicated in 1412 and
burned at the stake in 1415
Bubonic Plague Strikes
• Bubonic plague kills 1/3rd the population throughout Asia, North
Africa, and Europe
Origins and Impact
• Began in Asia, and traveled to Europe through trade
• Produced purplish-black spots on skin
• Killed approx. 25 million Europeans alone, millions others
Effects of the Plague
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Town pop. Fell
Trade declined, prices rose
Serfs left manor in search of better wages
Peasant revolts in response to higher wages
Jews blamed for the plague
Church lost credibility when prayers didn’t cure the plague
*** the plague disrupted medieval society, and the
Hundred Years War would complete that disruption
Hundred Years War
• France and England fight in France
• Edward III takes over French throne after Capetian kings die
and causes war between (1337-1453)
• Both sides gained ground, but from 1421 to 1453 the
French drove the English out of France
• This war brought a change in the style of warfare
Longbow Changes Warfare
• Used in 3 battles: Crecy, Poitiers, and Agnicourt
• Battle of Crecy witnessed the French knights getting
slaughtered by English longbowmen. English repeated this
style of warfare ten years later at Poitiers, and 60 years
later at Agnicourt  English win with longbow!
Joan of Arc
• In 1420, the French and English sign a treaty saying Henry V
(English) would take the French throne after Charles VI.
• In 1429, a French teenage peasant girl feels moved by God
to rescue France from English rulers
• On May 7, 1429 Joan leads the French army into battle near
Orleans and is successful
• In later battles, the English capture Joan and even though
Charles VII owed his throne to Joan, he did nothing to help
her.
• In 1431 she was burned at the stake
Impact of Hundred Years War
1. Feeling nationalism emerged in France and Englandppl
felt they were fighting for their king and for their country
rather than for a feudal lord
2. Power and prestige of French monarch increased
3. English suffer from a “War of the Roses”
• End of the war marked the end of the medieval period
• “twin pillars” crumbled  chivalry died on the battlefields
of Crecy, Poitiers, and Agnicourt; the Church died because
of the Great Schism, discredit from the plague, and
scandalous display of wealth from the clergy