Western Europe During the High Middle Ages

During the High Middle Ages, Europeans built a vibrant and prosperous society. Rising from the foundations laid during the Early Middle Ages - lord-retainer relationships, agricultural innovation, and the Roman Catholic Church - Europe emerged from its long period of relative political instability and economic and intellectual stagnation. The hallmarks of high medieval European culture included: The consolidation and expansion of regional states. These powerful states sometimes were organized by local rulers and based on lord-retainer relationships, as in France. Other times they were direct conquests, like the Norman invasion of England. Other times, they were supported or encouraged by the church (Holy Roman Empire). Economic revitalization. With renewed agricultural surplus, the population expanded and Europe began to reurbanize. Cities grew, and with them grew business, industry, trade, and educational institutions. Long-distance trade networks reappeared, especially in the Mediterranean and Baltic and North Sea regions. Continued presence of the Roman Catholic Christianity in virtually all aspects of life. Through both traditional institutions and the mass appeal of popular religious practices, the church prospered during this period. The Roman church's influence was felt in education, philosophy, literature, conquest, and travel.

Europes Feudal States

The Holy Roman Empire Otto I of Saxony takes advantage of decline of Carolingian Empire to establish kingdom in north Germany, mid 10 th century CE Military forays into eastern Europe Twice enters Italy to aid Roman Catholic church Pope John XII names Otto Emperor of Holy Roman Empire, 962 CE

The medieval expansion of Europe, C.E. Tensions between Emperors and the Church Investiture Contest, late 11 th - early 12 th centuries Pope Gregory VII ( ) attempts to end practice of lay investiture Excommunicates Emperor Henry IV ( CE) German peoples take opportunity to rebel Quashed with difficulty Frederick Barbarossa (r CE) Frederick I, red beard Attempt to absorb Lombardy (northern Italy) Popes did not want him to gain that much power, enlisted aid from other states Frederick forced to back down

Regional Monarchies: France and England Capetian France Hugh Capet succeeds last Carolingian Emperor, 987 CE Slowly expands authority out from Paris Normans in England Descendants of Vikings, settled in France Invade England in 1066 under William the Conqueror Dominate Angles, Saxons, and other Germanic groups

Italy and the Iberian Peninsula Italy Series of ecclesiastical states, city-states, and principalities Papal State directly controlled by Pope, good-sized territory in central Italy By 12 th century, city-states increasingly displace church control in northern Italy Normans invade southern Italy, displace Byzantine and Muslim authorities Iberian Peninsula Muslims control Iberian peninsula, 8 th -12 th centuries From 11 th century on, Christian conquest of Spanish Muslim territories Late 13 th century, Muslims remain only in Granada

Medieval Expansion of Europe Atlantic and Baltic Colonization Scandinavians explore North Atlantic Ocean Iceland, Greenland, Vinland (Canada) Canadian settlements do not succeed Kings of Denmark nominally convert to Christianity, Sweden and Finland follow

Growth of the Agricultural Economy Increasing development of arable lands Minimized threat of invading nomads Clearing of swamps, forests Improved agricultural techniques Crop rotation New crops, esp. beans Horseshoes, horse collars (horses faster than oxen)

European Population Growth, CE

Revival of Towns and Trade Urbanization follows increase in food supply Specialization of labor Textile production Mediterranean Trade Italy well-positioned for sea trade Italian colonies established in major ports of Mediterranean, Black seas

The Hanseatic League Hansa, association of trading cities Trade in Baltic and North seas Poland, nothern German, Scandinavia

Social Change The Three Estates Those who pray: clergy Those who fight: knights Those who work: peasants Oversimplification of complex social reality

Chivalry Code of conduct for nobles Sponsored by Church to minimize fighting among Christians Technically, knight to dedicate his efforts to promotion of Christianity Protection of women

Troubadors Class of traveling poets, minstrels, entertainers Borrowed Islamic traditions of love poetry Spread of cultural ideas to Europe Popular among aristocratic women Eleanor of Aquitaine ( ) major supporter Popularization of idea of romantic love, refinement of European knights

Independent Cities Additions to class of those who work Merchants, artisans, physicians, lawyers, etc. Awkward fit into tripartite caste system By late 11 th century, towns demand charters of integration for greater self- government

Guilds Organizations of merchants, workers, artisans By 13 th century guilds control good portion of urban economy Price and quality control Membership Created social support network Urban Women New economic opportunities for women Dominated needle trade Representation in wide variety of trades Admitted to most guilds Some guilds for women only

Cathedral Schools During early middle ages, European society too unstable to provide institutions of advanced learning Some rudimentary education at monasteries, occasional scholars at courts High middle ages ( CE) increasing wealth makes education possible Schools based in cathedrals Curriculum of Latin writings Literature, philosophy, some law, medicine, theology Universities Academic guilds formed in 12 th century Both student and faculty organizations Higher standards of education promoted Treatment of students in town major source of concern

The Influence of Aristotle Latin translations of Byzantine Greek texts circulate in Europe Jewish and Muslim scholars provide other translations from Arabic translations St. Thomas Aquinas ( ), major proponent of Scholasticism Synthesis of Christianity and Aristotle University of Paris

Popular Religion Population at large remained unaffected by Scholasticism The Seven Sacraments gain ritual popularity Esp. Eucharist Devotion to Saints Heavenly intercession, pilgrimages, veneration of relics The Virgin Mary

Crusading Orders Religious Christians form military-religious orders Templars, Hospitallers, Teutonic Knights Religious vows of opposition to Islam, paganism Founded churches and monasteries

The Beginning of the Crusades Pope Urban II calls for liberation of Jerusalem from Muslim control, 1095 Salvation promised for casualties Rapid, enthusiastic response Peter the Hermit raises popular frenzy, mob destroyed on way to Jerusalem

The Crusades

The First Crusade more organized expedition Captures Jerusalem, largely due to poor Muslim organization Salah al-Din (Saladin) recaptures Jerusalem in 1187

Later Crusades and their Consequences Five crusades by mid-13 th century, none successful Fourth Crusade destroys Constantinople, Yet Crusades provide direct contact with Muslim ideologies, trade Aristotle, Arabic numerals, paper production

Religious Movements Rebellion against perceived materialism of Roman Catholic Church Dominc ( ) and St. Francis ( ) create orders of mendicants Vows of poverty Popular preachers Religious zealots, very opposed to heretical movements

Popular Heresy (southern France, northern Italy) Waldesians Urged more lay control of preaching, sacraments The Cathars (Albigensians) Influenced by religious movements in eastern Europe Chastity, vegetarianism, poverty Pope Innocent III virtually destroys Cathar movement in 13 th century Kill them. For the Lord knows those that are His own. Arnaud Amalric

The Reconquest of Sicily and Spain Sicily taken by Muslims in 9 th century, reconquered by Normans in 11 th century Slow displacement of Islam Opportunity for cross-cultural fertilization Two small Spanish Christian states survive Muslim conquest Become nucleus of reconquest, 1060s-1492 Rapid, forceful assertions of Christian authority