I. Overview of Middle Ages: I. Overview of Middle Ages Periods of History Classical Antiquity- Greece and Rome Rome fell in 476 AD Middle Ages (“Dark Ages”) Church took place of Empire in org. Modernity Renaissance to present


Feudalism: Feudalism Political/social arrangement… esp. in Northern Europe Fief (land or gift) for service Lord Vassal Serfs… “owned” by the land Main allegiance to Lord Decentralized Power (not in hands of 1… see picture to right) (I. Overview of Middle Ages)


The House that the Lords Built: The House that the Lords Built Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle How would the presence of castles make a King weaker? Just ask Machiavelli! (I. Overview of Middle Ages)


Manorialism: Manorialism Economics of Middle Ages Agrarian (3 fields, rotated… 1 fallow) 90% worked land Largely self-sufficient… little trade, thus little travel Nobility rules the roost (I. Overview of Middle Ages)


Medieval ‘Cribs’ (???): Medieval ‘Cribs’ (???) Handcrafted thatch roof, scrub brush floors and open windows… plenty of room for the kids, the goats, and the cows! 1 room/no bathroom (I. Overview of Middle Ages)


Lifestyle- Food Section: Lifestyle- Food Section Recipe: Combine grain, onions, turnips, carrots, and salted meats (if available… most likely won’t be though) to a watery broth and… VOILA! You’ve got Soup de Manor! In southern Europe, soup should be served with wine. In north, with beer (plain water too dangerous) Average daily caloric intake: 1600 calories (modern is 2000!!!) (I. Overview of Middle Ages)


The Roman Catholic Church, late Middle Ages: The Roman Catholic Church, late Middle Ages Gothic Architecture Flying buttresses & Pointed arches… all UP High windows… STAINED GLASS (tell a story) “For the Glory of God”


Interior of Gothic Church: Interior of Gothic Church


Church Peeps: Church Peeps Pope College of Cardinals Archbishops, Bishops, Priests Monks (monastery) Illuminated Manuscripts Nuns (convent)


From Medieval to Modern:14th Century Chaos and the Rise of Central Gov’t.: From Medieval to Modern: 14th Century Chaos and the Rise of Central Gov’t. • Hundred Years War • Bubonic Plague • Problems of the Church


Main Theme: Catastrophe and the positives it can bring...: Main Theme: Catastrophe and the positives it can bring... Example A: 100 Years War (1337-1453) England vs. France, France wins (yeah Joan!) Decline of Feudalism New technology Large, Standing armies Birth of Nationalism & Strong Monarchies France emerged as major Continental Power (just ask Machiavelli…)


Example B: The Black Death… dun dun dun! (sound of ominous music): Example B: The Black Death… dun dun dun! (sound of ominous music) 2/5 of Europe’s pop. dead in 50 yrs. Started Italy, moved North (via trade routes) Hit cities esp. hard Really weakened Nobility 1. Artisans in city dying, opportunity to be replaced by peasants/country folk 2. Nobles made money from selling food... So many people died, food prices dropped Impact on Art of the Day…


Plague Era Artwork: Plague Era Artwork


Plague Era Artwork: Plague Era Artwork


Plague Era Artwork: Plague Era Artwork


So what did this do to Europe?: So what did this do to Europe? So many issues for people to deal with… Huge famine in early 1300s Plague in mid-late 1300s About 1/3 population died Constant Warfare (Hundred Yrs.) Continuous depression and doubt Social Upheaval (Nobles lose out big to rising power of Kings) And to top it all off… The “Dance of Death”


Slide17: There are just as many questions regarding the Church! Politics as Usual… Boniface VII vs. Philip II 1309-1377: Avignon Papacy… controlled by French King?!? Rome in disarray. Increased Church extravagance too (read: “Party!”)… as well as church fund raising! (benefices, indulgences, simony, tithes, dispensation from Canon Law, etc) Church too political??? Questions arise Conciliar Movement William of Ockham and Brothers of Common Life & Augustinian monks (all want POPULAR PIETY… Internal Feeling, NOT External Show)


Great Schism: Great Schism Great Schism (1378-1417) 2 or 3 Popes at any one time! Who do you look to? Gregory XI back to Rome… then died Romans push for Urban VI (Italian) French say unfair election… elect another Pope in Avignon! ??? Universal Excommunication??? Medieval Plague Sufferers… “This is the last thing I need in my life right now…” Solving Problems… Conciliarists Council of Pisa (Both Rome/Avignon gone… new Pope!) Council of Constance (All three gone… new Pope again!) Time to Rebuild Rome… Renaissance Patronage!


The Big Picture: The Big Picture 100 Years War (Nobility, Feudalism): Stronger Centralized gov’t after Plague (Nobility, Feudalism): Weaker nobles= stronger central gov’t Rural exodus= decreased feudal structure (esp. W. Europe) Church Scandals- Avignon, Schism, & Ecclesiastical Corruption (Religion as Primary Motivator for All) People questioning what used to be unquestionable; Begins more secular concerns (NOT end of religion though)