Chap 14.4 Slides Flashcards
What was the trouble in Europe in 1346?
Why was this a big problem?
Religious Crises
In 1346, Europe faced challenges to its religious, political and social order.
Since Christianity tied most Europeans together, religious crises were a grave threat to all society.
Beliefs that were against the Church were called _________
- Heresy, beliefs that opposed official teachings of church
- Heretical beliefs began increasing in Europe, 1100s
- Spread throughout medieval society
What did heresy do to European society?
What was heresy about?
Alarm
- Most people remained faithful
- Heretics de-emphasized role of clergy, sacraments
What did heresy threaten?
Order
- Heresy threatened social order in church
- Heretical beliefs frightened religious officials
- Determined to stop spread of heresy
What was the main method to fight heresy?
•Inquisitions primary method of fighting heresy
How were heretics tried?
- Legal procedures supervised by special judges who tried heretics
- Accused came before court, local authorities punished guilty parties
What kind of people spread Christian teachings?
•Members of orders, friars, spread Christian teachings among people
What were the other means of fighting heresy?
- Francis of Assisi, Dominic of Osma, created new religious orders
- Pope Innocent III called for crusade against heretics in southern France, 1208; spent 20 years trying to eliminate heretics there
What was the other trouble with the Church at this time?
The Papacy in Dispute (popes fighting)
What was the political fighting in Rome in 1309?
–Pope forced to flee to Avignon, southern France
–Next several popes also lived at Avignon
What were the 100 years of papacy in dispute?
–70 years later, Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome
–Upon his death, disagreement over new pope; two claimed power, one in Rome, one in Avignon
–Council of Pisa tried to settle dispute, created third claim to office
–Conflict unresolved, three popes reigned in Europe for 40 years
Why were there wars and conflict in the Middle Ages?
Who did these wars involve?
Wars were also being fought so political leaders could gain power for themselves.
The two most violent involved the kings of England
What was the Hundred Years’ War?
- French king died without son, 1328
- King Edward III of England, nearest living relative
- English wanted Edward to rule both countries
- French did not want English king, favored French regent
Who were the 2 sides in the Hundred Years’ War?
- Regent crowned as King Philip VI of France, decision did not please English
- King Edward III of England invaded France, 1337
- began Hundred Years’ War
Which side won victories?
•English won many victories
–Used better weapons
–Moved deeper into France
–Under Henry V, advanced to gates of Paris
Who changed the course of war?
- Young peasant girl, Joan of Arc, changed course of war, 1429
- Claimed saints told her to lead French into battle
- Joan, army defeated English at Orléans
- Led French to several more victories before being captured, executed by British
Who finally led to victory to end the Hundred Years’ War?
- After Joan’s death, French King Charles VII rallied army
- French steadily took back land lost to English
- Drove English almost completely out of country, 1453
- War finally ended after more than 100 years
What was the Wars of the Roses?
- Shortly after peace with France, two families began war over English throne
- Lancasters, used red rose as emblem; Yorks, used white rose as emblem
- Conflict became known as Wars of the Roses
What were Yorkist victories?
- Yorkists successful early; Edward IV took throne, 1461
- Won significant victories over Lancastrians
- Trouble began after Edward’s death
What was the story of Richard III
- Edward’s sons disappeared after his death; brother, Richard III, crowned king
- Richard faced number of uprisings; killed in battle of Bosworth Field, 1485
- Tudor Henry VII claimed throne, neither York nor Lancaster; new era began
What was another crisis in 1347 and 1351?
- 1347 and 1351
- Black Death, deadly plague
What was origin of Black Death?
- Brought to Europe by merchant sailors from Genoa
- Plague contracted in Asia
- Flea-infected rats moved from Genoa to European ports
How did Black Death spread quickly?
- Plague traveled with merchants
- Spread quickly, struck coastal regions first, moved inland
- Almost all of Europe touched by Black Death by 1351
What were the effects of the Black Death?
- Varying responses to plague
- Most common, God’s punishment
- Some turned to witchcraft for cures
- Some blamed Jews, accused of poisoning water wells
- Led to increase in anticlericalism, anti-Semitic feelings in Europe
How did Black Death change the land system?
More Vacant Land
- Loss of population left more vacant land, bought by wealthy
- Created more efficiently organized estates, used less labor
- Peasants moved to cities to find work
- Medieval manor system fell apart
