Introduction to the Middle Ages 1066 1485 Medieval

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Introduction to the Middle Ages 1066 -1485

Introduction to the Middle Ages 1066 -1485

Medieval Period: 1066 -1485 AD • Decay of Roman Empire=beginning of Middle Ages •

Medieval Period: 1066 -1485 AD • Decay of Roman Empire=beginning of Middle Ages • Roman empire split into two empires: – Western ruled from Rome – Eastern ruled from Constantinople. • Germanic tribes (Anglo-Saxons) began to invade and set up individual kingdoms throughout the Western empire, ending Roman rule. – Introduced the feudal system

William the Conqueror • Invaded from Normandy in 1066 • Changes England through: –

William the Conqueror • Invaded from Normandy in 1066 • Changes England through: – A new language (French) – A new social system (Feudalism)

Feudal System King receives Divine Right from GOD! King Provide money and knights to

Feudal System King receives Divine Right from GOD! King Provide money and knights to Grants land to… Lords Provide protection and military service to Provide food and services on demand Grant land to… Knights Grant land to… Peasants or Serfs

Knights in Shining Armor • From mail shirts to a suit of armor

Knights in Shining Armor • From mail shirts to a suit of armor

Knights in Shining Armor • Change came about as a result of the crossbow

Knights in Shining Armor • Change came about as a result of the crossbow • Some armor suits weighed upwards of 120 pounds • Small slits in the helmets limited vision and ventilation – Heatstroke, suffocation, and drowning Upside-down turtles

Code of Chivalry • Idealistic code of honor followed by knights • Values: –

Code of Chivalry • Idealistic code of honor followed by knights • Values: – Loyalty (to God, King/Lord, and country) – Brotherhood – Bravery – Duty and Honor – Virtue • Must follow rules of “courtly love” when looking for a wife

Courtly Love • Combination of physical and spiritual desire • Object of love •

Courtly Love • Combination of physical and spiritual desire • Object of love • Love is war – Cupid’s arrows – Object as fortress • Love is a sickness.

How to be a Courtly Man • Be courteous and polite. • Be mildly

How to be a Courtly Man • Be courteous and polite. • Be mildly flirtatious • Put your beloved on a pedestal. • Show emotions through acts of strength and bravery. • Do not love someone from below your social class.

How to be a Courtly Woman • Remain coy and aloof • Resist advances

How to be a Courtly Woman • Remain coy and aloof • Resist advances • Follow courtly manners and behavior • Give tokens of affection

Role of Women • • No political rights Subservient to men Mostly uneducated But…

Role of Women • • No political rights Subservient to men Mostly uneducated But… – Gained power through courtly love tradition – Could have power as a merchant, healer, Church leader (nun), or wife of an important man – Managed estates while husbands were at war – After marriage, her land became his land

Peasants • Paid taxes (tithes) to church • Obeyed lord who owned land •

Peasants • Paid taxes (tithes) to church • Obeyed lord who owned land • Followed Church leaders in everything • “nasty, brutish, and short” lives

Population • Due to rise in commerce, population grew in cities • Growth in

Population • Due to rise in commerce, population grew in cities • Growth in middle class – More merchants and artisans – More money for art and education – Less power for landowners!

Christianity • Many kingdoms adopted the Roman religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism). • Adopted the

Christianity • Many kingdoms adopted the Roman religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism). • Adopted the language of the church: Latin – Romance languages descend from Latin and Germanic dialects.

The Power of the Church • Centers of communities • Church officials were civic

The Power of the Church • Centers of communities • Church officials were civic leaders • Heresy: having ideas different from church doctrine

The Crusades 1095 -1270 • Moors (Muslims) had the Middle East in a stronghold.

The Crusades 1095 -1270 • Moors (Muslims) had the Middle East in a stronghold. • Leaders in Europe felt the need to protect the Holy Land keep it under Christian rule.

Pope Urban’s Speech • Pope Urban II preached a sermon in France that inspired

Pope Urban’s Speech • Pope Urban II preached a sermon in France that inspired European knights to join a crusade to win back the Holy Lands.

The Crusades • Pros – Allowed crusaders to bring new spices, textiles and products

The Crusades • Pros – Allowed crusaders to bring new spices, textiles and products back to Europe. – Inspired commerce – Created new social class: merchant class

The Crusades • Cons –Failed to maintain European rule over the Holy Land

The Crusades • Cons –Failed to maintain European rule over the Holy Land

Catholicism vs. Nationalism • Nationalist feelings began to fuel tension between various kingdoms and

Catholicism vs. Nationalism • Nationalist feelings began to fuel tension between various kingdoms and the Catholic church. • Heresy resulted in punishment

The Magna Carta: signed in 1215 • Power to (some of) the people •

The Magna Carta: signed in 1215 • Power to (some of) the people • Heralded a return to older, democratic tendencies in England • Became the basis of English constitutional law – Trial by jury

The Hundred Years’ War 1337 -1453 • England vs. France – King Edward III

The Hundred Years’ War 1337 -1453 • England vs. France – King Edward III and King Henry V try to claim the French throne • Invention of the long bow – Green-clad yeoman take the place of knights in shining armor in battle

The Bubonic PLAGUE • 1348 • Highly contagious; spread by fleas from infected rats

The Bubonic PLAGUE • 1348 • Highly contagious; spread by fleas from infected rats • Reduced population of Europe by one-third – Mostly poorest people • Caused a labor shortage – Peasants compete for wages – Get more money – Get more power! • Apocalyptic

Literature of the Middle Ages • Romances –Adventure stories of kings, knights, damsels –Quests

Literature of the Middle Ages • Romances –Adventure stories of kings, knights, damsels –Quests and battles

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Originated in the great halls

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Originated in the great halls of the Germanic tribes and focused on ideas such as loyalty and valor, which bound societies together. – Defined and expressed character of a people.

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Based on historical events but

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Based on historical events but prized adventure more than accuracy. – Were performed long before they were written down.

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Exemplified feudal values: • Title

Literature of the Middle Ages • Medieval Epics – Exemplified feudal values: • Title and rank • Military prowess • Loyalty • Honor