The High Middle Ages in Europe : The High Middle Ages in Europe History1110 Civilization Past and Present
Fall 2006
Gary R. Smith, Instructor
The High Middle Ages in Europe : 2 The High Middle Ages in Europe Several significant events marked the period known as the High Middle Ages in Europe. Arnaolfini Pro Sponso et Sponsa
Christian Marriage rituals in Northern Europe
during the High Middle Ages
The Black Death : 3 The Black Death Once the Hundred Years’ War was over, a lot of people were very poor and hungry because the soldiers fighting the war had wrecked their farms. Then people began to catch a terrible sickness that was spreading along the Mongol trade routes through Central Asia to both China and Western Europe in the 1300’s.
The Black Death : 4 The Black Death This sickness was called the Bubonic Plague. When someone caught it big black spots called buboes appeared under the armpits, behind the knees, and on the neck. A lot of people called it the Black Death, because after the buboes appeared, the tips of the fingers and toes and the nose often turned black.
The Black Death : 5 The Black Death Most of the people who got the plague died, especially poor people who didn't have good food to eat. About one out of every three people in Europe, and many people in Asia too, died during this period.
The Crusades : 6 The Crusades The Crusades were a series of military campaigns designed to recapture the Holy Land from the Muslims. The city of Jerusalem was particularly important because it was the birthplace of three of the world’s great religions: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
The Crusades : 7 The Crusades The First Crusade was begun in 1096 under the auspices of Pope Urban II. Christian warriors were able to capture Palestine. After the First Crusade, subsequent crusades were not very successful.
The Crusades : 8 The Crusades Lasting effects of the Crusades included the emergence of trade and increased communication between Europe and the Near East.
Art and Architecture : 9 Art and Architecture Contrary to popular myth, the High Middle Ages were a period of flourishing art in Europe. The Byzantine mosaic to the right is an example. Although the subjects were predominantly religious, attention was paid to human characteristics.
Art and Architecture : 10 Art and Architecture A hallmark of late medieval architecture was the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Art and Architecture : 11 Art and Architecture The architects at Notre Dame used flying buttresses or free-standing supports for the exterior walls. (See photo)
European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages : 12 European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages Consider the following factors:
Trade established by the Italian city-states caused merchants to seek out trading partners throughout the Mediterranean. Moreover, the activities of the Hanseatic League in the north linked Northern Europe via the river system with the Mediterranean.
The bland European diet was enhanced by spices and products from the Muslim world, as well as from the Near and Far East.
European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages : 13 European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages Factors for European Expansion (continued)
Atlantic and Baltic Colonization
Vinland
Scandinavian seafarers turned to North Atlantic Ocean, ninth and tenth centuries
Colonized Iceland and Greenland
Leif Ericsson traveled to modern Newfoundland, called Vinland
Christianity in Scandinavia: Denmark and Norway (tenth century), then spread
Crusading orders and Baltic expansion
Teutonic Knights most active in the Baltic region
Baltic region was absorbed into Christian Europe from the late thirteenth century
European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages : 14 European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages The reconquest (for Christianity) of Sicily and Spain
Reconquest of south Italy by Norman Roger Guiscard, 1090
Roger (also Norman) conquers Sicily
The reconquista of Spain began in 1060s
By 1150, took over half the peninsula
By the thirteenth century, took almost all the peninsula except Granada
European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages : 15 European Expansion During the High or Late Middle Ages Consequences of the crusades
Crusaders established some states in Palestine and Syria
Encouraged trade with Muslims; demands for luxury goods increased
Muslim ideas filter to Europe: Aristotle, science, astronomy, numerals, paper