Chapter X: Medieval Europe Xa: Life After Rome
Chapter 13, Section 1
What happened to European civilization after the fall of Rome?
After the fall of Rome, the once unified provinces began to separate. Germanic tribes began to invade and conquer the individual provinces, making communication harder between them.
What was the difference between the Roman idea of government and the Germanic idea of government?
The Roman idea of government had the empire or central government at its epicenter. This created a sense of unity amongst the different provinces, even though each individual province may be a different nation. The Germanic idea, however, emphasized familial and communal loyalty above all else. Since the community comes before everyone else, this causes a sense of disunity amongst the various provinces.
Who was Clovis and why was he important?
Clovis was the leader of the Franks, who occupied Gaul (modern-day France) from 481 CE until until 511 CE. He was responsible for bringing Christianity to the Franks, as well as to the surrounding Germanic tribes. He also united all of the Franks under one kingdom with one central head. He also helped create a powerful connection between the Church and the Frankish government.
Xb: Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne Chapter 13, Section 1
Why was the early medieval church important?
The church was the only thing that help Western Europe together. In addition, they were the few that could read and write, and helped in education people about the Bible as best they could.
How did Gregory I increase the political power of the pope?
Gregory extended the power of the papacy beyond just spiritual control, and began to control secular matters as well. He raised an army using funds from the Vatican, and viewed controlling Western Europe as his responsibility. The idea of uniting all of Western Europe in one central kingdom with the pope at its head became a very popular idea during the Middle Ages.
What was the Carolingian Dynasty?
The Carolingian Dynasty began with Pepin the Short and would rule from 751-987 CE. He was ultimately succeeded by Charlemagne, and who brought a revival of learning to the Western Europe (although he personally could not write). After Charlemagne, however, the Carolingian dynasty became less powerful and ultimately dissolved.
Who was Charlemagne and what were his achievements?
Xc: Feudalism in Europe Chapter 13, Section 2
How do multiple invasions lead to the rise of feudalism?
Because of the many invasions by Germanic tribes, most major cities were destroyed and
communication throughout Western Europe was disrupted. Because of this, many nobles moved into the countryside and hired peasants to work the land in return for some food and protection from invasion. This system is called feudalism, a system of mutual obligations between lord and vassal.
What are the key characteristics of feudalism?
The key characteristics of feudalism are that the lord would provide protection from invasion and the necessary tools to work the land, and the vassals would work the land and give a portion of their harvest and meat to their lord. This system of mutual obligations between lord and vassal defined feudalism.
Describe life on a manor.
Life on a manor was very difficult. Serfs were required to tend to the lord's land as well as their own. They owed a portion of annual crops to their lord. They were also required to maintain the lord's estate and tend to his animals. These peasants were generally tied down to their lord's estate, and rarely went 25 miles away from the manor in any direction. Everything that was needed was grown or produced on the manor. In addition, all vassals living on an estate was required to pay other taxes, such as when using the lord's mill or getting married. (Marriage could not take place without the lord's consent.) A peasant's diet consisted mainly of bread, soup, and cheese.
Xd: The Age of Chivalry Chapter 13, Section 3
Who were knights and what was their role in society?
Knights would provide protection to a lord and his estate in return for fiefs, or a piece of land given to a knight by a lord.
Describe chivalry and the literature and music it inspired.
Chivalry was a code of honor that all knights lived by. Chivalry demanded that a knight serve three masters: his feudal lord, God, and his lady. Despite the fact that many knights were very cruel to the peasants and serfs, medieval literature and music belittled their sadistic nature and made them seem dignified and well-mannered. Chivalry also inspired love songs and poems, as well as epics, which depicted a hero and his life. (In many cases, the hero was torn between his feudal lord and his lady, who were considered equals in his eyes.)
Describe the role of women in the Middle Ages.
Xe: The Church Wields Power Chapter 13, Section 4
What was the role of the church in the Middle Ages?
Despite the lack of centralized government, the Roman Catholic Church was the only unifying aspect to medieval Europe. The Pope also began to control politics in addition to religion. The priests, bishops, and monks were the only literate people in the Middle Ages. This caused people to begin questioning the pope. The pope publicly endorsed kings, and was able to excommunicate kings or individuals, or put an entire community in interdict, or a form of communal excommunication.
Why was the church such an important institution?
The church was where many could go and leave behind the troubles of their everyday lives, where they believed that a God that loved them would answer their prayers. They Vatican also held a surprising amount of political power in Western Europe, specifically in the Holy Roman Empire.
What conflicts arose between the church and secular leaders?
Conflicts arose concerning how much power the pope should have over secular matters and how much power the king should have over religion.
Xf: The Jews of France and Germany Bloomberg: 46-49, 51, 55-59, 66-72
Describe the political structure of medieval Ashkenazic Jews.
Ashkenaz Jews were not allowed to enter the feudal system. They were, by and large, autonomous and lived secluded from everyone else.
What did the communities of Ashkenaz provide for people?
These communities provided a court system, as well as representatives from that specific province to the king.
What was herem?
Herem was a form of political, social, and economic excommunication and was a popular punishment among many European Jewish communities.
What was the famous takanah of Rabbenu Gershom?
Rabbenu Gershom made a famous takanah which prohibited polygamy (being married to more than one woman) for any Ashkenaz Jew.
Why was Rashi so important?
Rashi's commentary was a very useful aid in learning the Bible in Hebrew.
Xe: The Jews and the Christians Bloomberg: 77-83
What was Lateran IV and what was its significance?
What was the disputation of Paris?
The disputation of Paris was a series of arguments between the Jews and the Christians over theology.
What was the medieval blood libel?
In medieval times, the use of a blood libel was an accusation brought against Jews, saying that they killed Christian children and used their blood for sacrifices.
Xh: Church Reforms Chapter 14, Section 1
What were some of the problems in the Church?
Many of the clergy were very corrupt, and took bribes from people to pray for them. Despite promising to remain celibate (never marrying), many church officials — even some popes — married and had children. In addition, it was kings who held power over bishops, not the Vatican. Simony was practiced, where bishops sold priestly positions to the highest bidder.
Describe Church reforms from the 10th through the 13th century.
Beginning at the monastery at Cluny, stricter laws for priests and bishops were imposed. As these reforms began to become more popular, Pope Leo IX began to enforce new laws to keep priests celibate and to prevent simony. Cathedrals were also being built throughout Western Europe.
What was distinctive about medieval Gothic cathedrals?
These cathedrals were much larger, and were built with larger windows, tall spires, and other things that were inspired by Gothic architecture (stemming from a Germanic tribes called the Goths). These became known as “Cities of God.”
Xi: The Crusades Chapter 14, Section 1
What were the Crusades?
The Crusades were a series of failed pilgrimages from Western Europe to the Holy Land, Israel. They were inspired by the Roman Catholic Church and brought a series of war waged against the Muslims. Because of the Crusades, however, a rebirth of trade was inspired.
Why did people go on crusade?
People went on crusade for many reasons. Some were looking for new opportunities, whereas others were intrigued by the fact that they would be forgiven for their sins if they did go on crusade.
What were the effects of the Crusades?
The Crusades, specifically the last few (which were complete fails) dramatically lessened the power of the pope. The Crusades also catalyzed new relationships between the Muslims and the Christians, as well as helped increase trade and communication (which declined during the Middle Ages).
Describe what happened to the Jews during the Crusades.
Xk: Trade, Towns, and the Financial Revolution Chapter 14, Section 2
What factors increased the food supply?
Using horses for fieldwork instead of cows, which were much faster and worked more efficiently. The use of the three-field system also helped farmers produce more crops, and brought in a steady flow of produce year-round. The growing of legumes and other vegetables also helped.
What were the guilds?
Guilds were groups of people of the same occupation. Guilds regulated how much a worker in a certain trade can be paid and how much a merchant can charge for his merchandise. The purpose of this was to reduce competition amongst guild members.
Describe the revival of learning in the High Middle Ages.
Due to the founding of a new institution, called the university, people were able to gather and learn together. In addition, due to the revival of cities, it was very easy to communicate and share new
discoveries. The new communications with the Muslims (who had preserved ancient Greek and Roman learning for centuries) also aided in the revival of learning.
Xl: Jews and Moneylending Bloomberg: 96-98
When and why did the Jews move into moneylending?
The Jews became moneylenders in the High Middle Ages. This was because many of their other jobs were taken away from them, and most Christians considered moneylending to be the “devils work,” and did not want to work in that industry, making it the only available occupation for Jews during this time. Also, the Christians viewed moneylending to be useless, since they could not charge interest on a fellow Christian.
Why did Christians resent the Jews for being moneylenders?
Because the Jews were the only moneylenders available, they were able to charge high interest rates, and the Christians were forced to pay these high rates.
Xm: England and the Norman Conquest Chapter 14, Section 3
What early invasions did England suffer?
England faced invasions from the Vikings, as well as the Normandy Conquest, when England was invaded by William, the Duke of Normandy. In addition, when King Edward the Confessor died in 1066 CE, he did not leave an heir to then throne.
Describe the Norman Conquest.
The Norman Conquest was headed by William, the Duke of Normandy. The Normans were Viking descendants that invaded Britain. The conquered Britain after the Battle of Hastings, when Britain's leader, Harold Godwinson, was killed (supposedly by taking an arrow to the eye).
What were some of Henry II’s accomplishments?
By marrying Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II was able to bring more French territory under his control.
Why was Magna Carta so significant?
power of the monarchy and guaranteed certain rights to Parliament and British citizens. Some of the powers given to the people were: no taxation without representation, trial by jury, and equal protection for everyone — including the king — under the law.
Describe the rise of a legislature in England.
Parliament, the legislative body in the English government, was the result of Edward I's struggle for power. In an attempt to hold onto the small amount of French land that he had left, Edward I
summoned two burgesses (wealthy citizens) and knights from every county in England. The purpose was to vote over new tax legislations. Gradually, two “houses” began to form: the House of Lords and the House of Commons.
Xo: The Jews in England: Massacre and Expulsion Nutshells #43: The Jews of England
When had Jews come to England?
The Jews came to England in the eleventh century, and settled in most of the major cities, including London.
What happened to the Jews standing in society over time?
While conditions for the Jews were generally good, with the coronation of Richard the Lionhearted, their conditions began to worsen, resulting in massacres and systematic confiscation of Jewish property.
Describe the various persecutions of Jews in England.
• In March of 1190, the Jews of York were massacred by a mob of priests, and townspeople, Crusaders about to embark on Crusade with Richard. Nobles who owed the Jews money also took part in this mob.
• A riot broke out on the steps of the Westminster Abbey, who had come with gifts to witness the coronation of Richard the Lionhearted. Most of the delegation was massacred, and many Jewish homes in London were destroyed.
• In 1255, the Jews of Lincoln were accused of sacrificing a boy. Under torture, one Jew confessed to the crime. This led to the arrest and imprisonment of ninety-one Jews. Some demanded trial by jury, to which they were entitled to under the Magna Carta. They were subsequently hung.
• By order of the Synod of Exeter in 1281, Jews were forbidden to hold public office, to hire or eat with Christians, and building synagogues.
• In 1290, the Jews were ordered to leave England.
What was the ultimate fate of the medieval English Jews?
The Jews of England sailed across the water to France and Flanders, where they would remain in exile until they were readmitted by Oliver Cromwell in 1655.
Xp: Capetian Dynasty Rules France Chapter 14, Section 3
Why did geography favor the Capetians?
all of the trade routes that led to Northern France, giving them the edge. They used these trade routes to extend their power all over France.
What did Philip Augustus do for France?
Philip Augustus, also called Philip II, took back much of the land that was under English control, such as Normandy. He also centralized the French government and established bailiffs, who were
responsible for collecting taxes for the king.
Describe two medieval political advances in France.
• Bailiffs, who were tax collectors for the king.
• The Estates-General, which was a French legislative body similar to the English Parliament. It was composed of three “Estates:”
▪ the First Estate was composed of high-ranking church officials
▪ the Second Estate was composed of lords and noblemen
▪ the Third Estate was composed of commoners
Xq: A Church Divided Chapter 14, Section 4
Describe the “Babylonian Captivity” of the popes—and explain why it was called this.
The Babylonian Captivity was when Pope Clement V moved the Vatican from Rome to Avignon in France. The reason that this period is called the “Babylonian Captivity” is because it was similar to the Jews, whose religious epicenter was moved from Jerusalem to Babylonia during their exile.
What was the Great Schism?
The Great Schism was a time when there were two popes that excommunicated each other, causing unrest in the Roman Catholic Church.
Describe the scholarly challenges to the Church’s authority.
• John Wycliffe was a professor who preached that Jesus, not the pope, was the head of the church. He also believed that the clergy should live in poverty and not amass wealth.
• Jan Hus taught that the Bible was above the pope, not vice versa. He was excommunicated and ultimately executed.
Xr: The Black Death Chapter 14, Section 4
Describe the Black Death—what was it, and how did it start?
The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, began in Italy and soon spread via trade routes throughout all of Western Europe. It was called the Black Death because one of the symptoms was black rashes on the skin.
What were the effects of the plague on the medieval world?
money. This led to revolts.
Xs: The Hundred Years' War Chapter 14, Section 4
What was the Hundred Years’ War?
The Hundred Years' War was a war between England and France. It was the result of a dispute over whether or not England's king Edward III had the right to France as France's King Philip IV's grandson. It lasted for a century, and France ultimately emerged victorious.
What new technology came about during this war?
The longbow
Who was Joan of Arc?
Joan of Arc was a teenage girl who, when the French were losing, rallied up the French troops to help them win. She tried to crown Charles IV's son. She was captured by the Burgundians, and English ally, and was executed.
What was the impact of the Hundred Years’ War?
It raised the fame and power of the French monarchy, while weakening the English monarchy. However, since most of the war was fought on French land, some territories took a very long time to recover. England also sustained heavy losses and Edward III, who was king at the time, was forced to call Parliament over 27 times to pass new tax legislations.
Xt:
The Spanish Expulsion and Inquisition Bloomberg: 181-185, 192-197
Why were the Jews persecuted by Ferdinand and Isabella?
The Inquisition was the result of a renewed religious fervor for Roman Catholicism, and the Jews were viewed as heretics.
What effect did the Inquisition have on Spanish society?
XI: The Renaissance and Reformation XIa: Italy: The Birth of the Renaissance Chapter 17, Section 1
How did the Renaissance differ from the Middle Ages?
There was a spur of education and art. In addition, many artists returned to classical, or Greco-Roman philosophies and ideals and used them as the basis for their art and literature.
Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?
Italy was not involved in the Hundred Years' War, and thus its already thriving cities and flourishing trade were not diminished.
What ideas influenced Renaissance scholars, artists and writers?
The ideas and philosophies that inspire Renaissance artists and writers were at first only Roman, but when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, many scholars fled with Greek manuscripts (which were presumed lost forever by Italian scholars), which added to what the Italians already had.
XIb: The Northern Renaissance Chapter 17, Section 2
Why was the Renaissance delayed in northern Europe?
The Renaissance in the north was delayed because the economy and the population was shattered due to the Hundred Years' War.
How did individual artists and writers contribute to the northern Renaissance?
They used Italian techniques and developed their own as well. They used oil paints.
What themes did northern humanists explore?
They were interested in the Church, as opposed to worldliness. They also focused on individualism. Northern artists depicted very discreet details.
How did the printing press transform Europe?
Because of the printing press, various literary works, specifically the Bible, could be copied quickly and cheaply, helping new ideas spread.
XIc: The Protestant Reformation Chapter 17, Section 3
Why did the Church face widespread criticism during the Renaissance?
As learning began to revive itself, scholars began to criticize the Church. They felt that the Vatican held too much power. The Vatican also lost much of its respect during the Bubonic Plague, when prayers failed to rescue loved ones.
How did Martin Luther challenge the Church?
He openly derided the Roman Catholic Church because of their corruption. He was specifically disgusted with selling indulgences, or buying your way into heaven.
What were the basic beliefs of Lutheranism?
• Everything should be based directly on the Bible
• All people who believe in Christianity are equal
Why did England form a new church, and how was the Church of England unique in its form of Protestantism?
England formed the Anglican Church as a way to compromise both the Roman Catholics and the Protestants, both of which were heavily represented in England. It was unique in the fact that it adopted customs from both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. While it maintained bishops and
archbishops, the services were conducted in English (the vernacular) and not Latin. Protestant hymns were also mostly used.
XId: The Reformation Continues Chapter 17, Section 4
What role did John Calvin play in the Reformation?
Calvin continued where Luther left off, and introduced even more reforms to Protestantism.
What were the basic beliefs of Calvinism, and why did they appeal to people (especially the middle class)?
People are allowed to amass wealth and use that money to invest it in their business so that they could make even more money. In addition, Calvin believed that only a few people — the elect — are chosen for salvation, giving people a goal to strive for.
What were the results of the Reformation?
Various other denominations of Christianity were formed, and the Catholic Church slowly began to lose power, whereas other forms of Protestantism became more and more popular.
XII: The Age of Absolutism and the Puritan Revolution
Note: On the syllabus, absolutism in Spain (Chapter 21, Section 1) is skipped, but it appears that we still need to know it for the final.
XIIa: Absolutism in France Chapter 21, Section 2
How did wars of religion divide France?
Some of France was Protestant, others were Catholic. The Protestants, also known as Huguenots, were persecuted. Under the Edict of Nantes, they were allowed to have their own armies, leading ultimately to a rebellion.
How did French rulers become absolute monarchs?
France's path to absolute monarchy was gradual. They began by centralizing the monarchy and rebuilding the infrastructure that was destroyed through various wars. French monarchs also gained power by making the nobles weaker.
What were the results of the reign of Louis XIV?
Although Louis XIV severely limited the power of the French nobility, he also raised taxes
tremendously and caused the French economy to deteriorate. Louis XIV also left no heir to the throne, causing the War of French Succession to break out. This left the country literally bankrupt.
XIIb: Central European Monarchs Clash Chapter 21, Section 3
What were the results of the Thirty Years’ War?
Germany lost large amounts of territory and much of its political power. The population in Germany dropped by about 4 million. In contrast, France's power increased. The Thirty Years' War also
effectively ended religious wars throughout Europe. It was also the first time in recorded history that peace talks were used as a means to achieve peace between two enemy countries.
How did Austria and Prussia emerge as great powers?
Austria and Prussia had absolute monarchs at their head, and they were both very militaristic societies.
How did the balance of power affect European diplomacy?
The balance of power recognized each country as its own separate state, and allowed each country to enter peace talks at their own will. It also ended the dream that Roman Catholicism would one day rule all of Europe.
Note: Although Chapter 21, Section 4: Russian Czars Increase Power, we still need to know it for the final.
XIIc: The Triumph of Parliament Chapter 21, Section 5
What issues divided the Stuart kings and Parliament?
What were the causes and results of the English Civil War?
When Scotland (which was under English rule) rebelled because he tried to introduce a new prayer book, James I was forced to call Parliament back into session. Parliament saw this as an opportunity to severely limit his power. In response, James I tried and failed to arrest Parliament's leaders, springing an angry mob. James was forced to run for his life.
How did the Glorious Revolution ensure the rule of law?
The Glorious Revolution caused Parliament to draw up a Bill of Rights, which granted certain personal freedoms to all citizens:
• the king could not suspend Parliament's laws
• new taxes could not be passed without permission
• all citizens were guaranteed freedom of speech
