14th Century Europe Flashcards
1
Q
The Avignon Papacy: The Church’s Exile in France
- Event: The Avignon Papacy was a period when seven successive popes resided in Avignon, France, rather than Rome. The move happened due to the influence of the French monarchy.
- Relation: This period created tensions between the papacy and European powers, weakening the Church’s authority and its independence from secular rulers, especially due to the close relationship with the French crown.
- Consequences: Although the papacy eventually returned to Rome, the divisions it caused contributed to the Western Schism, where multiple claimants to the papacy further weakened the Church’s unity for decades.
A
1309 - 1377
2
Q
Pope Gregory XI Returns the Papacy to Rome
- Event: Pope Gregory XI made the historic decision to move the papal court back to Rome after nearly seven decades of the papacy being based in Avignon, France. This return was influenced by political pressure and the urging of figures like St. Catherine of Siena.
- Relation: The return of the papacy to Rome was an attempt to restore the prestige and spiritual authority of the papacy, which had been damaged by its long absence and its close ties to the French monarchy during the Avignon Papacy.
- Consequences: While Gregory XI’s return to Rome was intended to re-establish papal authority, it failed to fully resolve tensions, and after his death, the Western Schism began, with rival popes being elected and dividing Christendom for several decades.
A
1377
3
Q
“The Western Schism: A Divided Papacy”
- Event: The Western Schism was a period of division within the Catholic Church, during which multiple rival popes were elected, each claiming legitimacy. The schism began after the death of Pope Gregory XI, when conflicting elections resulted in two, and later three, competing popes.
- Relation: The schism was deeply rooted in the political divisions of Europe, with different factions of nations supporting different papal claimants. This internal conflict severely weakened the Church’s authority and credibility.
- Consequences: The schism lasted nearly four decades and was eventually resolved at the Council of Constance, which deposed the rival popes and elected Pope Martin V, restoring unity to the Church. However, the schism left lasting scars on the Church’s reputation and contributed to growing calls for reform.
A
1378 - 1417
4
Q
The Black Death: Devastating Europe’s Population
- Event: The Black Death was a catastrophic outbreak of bubonic plague that swept across Europe, killing an estimated 25 to 50 million people, around one-third of the continent’s population. The plague was likely spread by fleas carried on rats, as well as through human contact.
- Relation: The Black Death brought widespread social, economic, and religious upheaval, severely disrupting European society. The massive loss of life led to labor shortages, a decline in trade, and the collapse of traditional feudal structures.
- Consequences: The plague weakened the power of the Church as many questioned its ability to explain or prevent the disaster. It also resulted in long-term changes in European society, including shifts in labor dynamics, increased wages for workers, and in some regions, a rise in anti-Semitic violence as people sought scapegoats for the plague.
A
1347 - 1351
5
Q
The Hundred Years’ War: England and France’s Struggle for Dominance
- Event: The Hundred Years’ War was a prolonged conflict between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France, driven by disputes over claims to the French throne and territorial control in France. It consisted of several distinct phases of warfare, punctuated by periods of peace and truce.
- Relation: The war was rooted in English kings’ claims to the French crown, especially through Edward III, and conflicts over the control of French territories, particularly Normandy and Aquitaine. The conflict saw key battles such as Agincourt and innovations in military tactics.
- Consequences: The war significantly weakened both kingdoms economically and militarily. France eventually emerged victorious, regaining nearly all its territories. The war contributed to the decline of feudalism and the rise of centralized monarchies. In England, the war’s end, coupled with internal strife, led to the Wars of the Roses.
A
1337 - 1453
6
Q
“The Italian Renaissance: Rebirth of Art, Science, and Humanism”
- Event: The Italian Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy, characterized by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and humanistic philosophy. It marked a revival of learning based on classical sources and fostered advancements in art, science, and thought.
- Relation: This period saw the rise of iconic figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli. It was fueled by the wealth of Italian city-states, especially Florence, which became a center of creativity and intellectualism.
- Consequences: The Renaissance reshaped Europe, influencing art, politics, and science, laying the foundations for the modern world. It contributed to the development of humanism and secularism, shifting focus from religious to human-centered subjects. This intellectual shift later fueled movements like the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution.
A
1300 - 1600
7
Q
Union of Krewo: The Foundation of Polish-Lithuanian Relations
- Background: The Union of Krewo established a personal union between Poland and Lithuania during their conflict with the Teutonic Knights.
- Event: Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania married Queen Jadwiga of Poland, converting to Christianity and becoming King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland.
- Relation: This union united two powerful states, enhancing their political and military cooperation against external threats.
- Consequences: The Union of Krewo laid the groundwork for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, promoting a shared identity and mutual support.
A
Date: 1386
8
Q
Battle of Tannenberg: A Decisive Victory for Poland and Lithuania
- Background: The Battle of Tannenberg was fought between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania against the Teutonic Knights during the Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War. The conflict stemmed from territorial disputes and the expansionist ambitions of the Teutonic Order.
- Event: The battle took place near Tannenberg in Prussia, where the combined Polish-Lithuanian forces, commanded by King Władysław II Jagiełło and Grand Duke Vytautas, decisively defeated the Teutonic Knights. Superior tactics and coordination led to a significant victory for the Polish-Lithuanian coalition.
- Relation: The battle marked a turning point in the struggle between the Teutonic Order and the Polish-Lithuanian alliance, weakening the knights’ power in the region and demonstrating the effectiveness of the united Polish-Lithuanian military.
- Consequences: The victory at Tannenberg led to the decline of the Teutonic Order’s influence in Eastern Europe and the eventual rise of Polish-Lithuanian power. It also paved the way for the First Peace of Thorn in 1411, which ended the war temporarily and established Polish dominance in the region.
A
Date: July 15, 1410
9
Q
Lancastrian Dynasty: A Struggle for the English Throne
- Background: The Lancastrian dynasty began with Henry IV’s ascension to the throne in 1399 after deposing Richard II. The Lancasters, a branch of the Plantagenet family, struggled to maintain power amidst internal conflict and the rising Yorkist faction, which led to the Wars of the Roses.
- Event: The key event in the Lancastrian reign was the Wars of the Roses (1455–1487), a series of civil wars between the Lancaster and York families, both claiming the English throne. The Lancastrians initially held the throne with Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI, but their rule was contested by the Yorkists, leading to bloody battles like the Battle of Towton in 1461, where the Yorkists claimed victory.
- Relation: The Lancastrians’ hold on the throne was weakened by dynastic rivalries and internal dissent. Their struggle with the Yorkist faction, which later produced the Tudor dynasty, was central to the political landscape of 15th-century England.
- Consequences: The defeat of the Lancastrians in 1461 at the Battle of Towton marked the end of their direct control of the throne. However, their legacy lived on through the eventual rise of the Tudor dynasty, with Henry Tudor (Henry VII), a Lancastrian, defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, thereby ending the Wars of the Roses and starting the Tudor rule.
A
Date: 1399–1461
