Middle Ages Flashcards
Middle Ages
- Time period from 5th to 15th Century
- Began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire
- Ended due to the Bubonic Plague (fewer people so better conditions for peasants), 100 Years war (weakening of feudalism), and Crusades (weakening of Church)
Secular
Concerning worldly affairs rather then spritual matters
Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer)
- Domo (mayor of the palace) of the Franks who extended the empire throughout Europe
- Defeated Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours, preventing Western Europe from being part of the Islamic Empire
- held more power than the King
Charlemagne
-Grandson of Charles Martel
-Reunited western Europe for the first time since the Romans
-Crowned Roman Emperor b/c he aided the Pope
-signified the union of Germanic, Roman, and
Church
Feudalism
- Political and economic system based on land ownership and personal loyalty
- Lords give vassals land, vassals promise services like protection
- King > Vassals > Knights > serfs
What were the effects of the Germanic invasions on the Western Roman Empire
Germanic invasions lead to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Without a strong centralized government, the Middle Ages began
To what extent did Charlemagne and Charles Martel influence Europe
- They unified Europe under their rule and united Roman Heritage, Church, and Germanic power
- Prevented Muslim invasion by winning the Battle of Tours (Charles Martel)
How did feudalism become the predominant political system in Europe
Muslims, Vikings, Magyars invaded -> disorder
- A weak central government meant that Kings couldn’t defend their lands from invasion.
- People no longer could depend on the King
- Turned to a local ruler for protection instead, who then gained followers and political strength. (Feudalism)
How was society structured der feudalism
Society based on land
- King at the top
- Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military protection
- Landless peasants toiled in the fields in return for protection
Battle of Tours
The battle in which Charles Martel defeated Muslim invaders from Spain (732). Prevented Western Europe from becoming part of the Muslim Empire (made Charles Martel a Christian hero)
Reform
Making changes for the better
Movement for religious reform, rejection of people’s authority
Gothic
A style of church architecture -developed during medieval Europe. Includes the pointed arches, ribbed vaults, stained glass windows, and flying buttresses.
Churches were built very tall to be closer to heaven
Inquisition
Court of justice for prosecuting charges of heresy (Roman Catholic)
Vernacular
Everyday/common language of homeland used by poets
Battle of Hastings
Battle between William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy) and Harold Godwinson (Anglo-Saxon) for the throne of England.
Harold was killed so the Normans won (William crowned)
Parliament
Group of oboes (legislative group) who met to check on royal power; weakened power of lords
Hindered Years’ War
War between England and France on French soil
Brought changes to style of warfare, marked end of medieval society, surge of nationalism,
Power and prestige of French monarchy increased
Internal conflict for the English (2 nobles fought for the throne), and end of Middle Ages
Secular
Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters
Charlemagne
King of Franks
Extended Frankish rule,
Spread Christianity to conquered lands,
Crowned “Roman Empire” by the Pope, signified joining of Germanic Power, Church, and heritage of the Roman Empire
Strengthened central authority of the king
Friars
Missionaries who lived in poverty
Took vows of chastity and obedience (to god)
Pope Urban II
Pope who called for the 1st crusade (1095)
3 field system
Used by peasant farmers, split land into 3 parts, 2/3 used each year while 1/3 was unplanted to rest.
Allowed for more crops to be produced in the long run
Thomas Aquinas
A scholar who argued that the religious truths can be proved by logical argument
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Wife of Henry II of England
Mother of Richard the Lion-Hearted and John
Estates General
Assembly of representatives from all 3 estates (social classes) of France
Joan of Arc
French peasant girl who led the French army to victory in the hundred Yeras War
Drove the English from francw
Papacy
Leaders of the Catholic Church
Francis of Assisi
Founder of the Franciscans, a group of friars
Treated all creatures equally, like brothers and sisters
Crusade
Holy war
Christians fought against muslims Turks to regain land in the Levant
Guild
Group of people in the same business who work together to control wages and conditions
Scholastics
Scholars who met together to debate on issues like law and government
John
King of England
Younger brother of Richard the Lino-Hearted
Mother is Eleanor of quitting
Cruel to subjects
Great schism
French Pope Vs Italian Pope Vs another elected pope
Each excommunicated each other
Division of power lead to forced 3/3 to resign
Newly elected pope (Martin V) gained power of a weakened papacy
Tithe
Tax (donation) to the Church/priest
Usually 10% of ones income
Romanesque
Style of architecture
Thick walls, tiny windows, columns
Gloomy and dark inside
Spanish Reconquista
Effort made by the Spanish monarchy to drive the muslims out of the Iberian peninsula (Spain)
Universtiy
The place where a group of scholars could meet, anywhere
Edward the Confessor
English king,
Died without an heir, left a power vacuum -> fight erupted between normans and anglo-saxons
Magna Carta
Document guaranteeing basic rights in England, basis of modern law used in US and England
Bubonic Plague
Deadly disease that spread across Asia and Europe
Killed 1/3 of the population in Europe
Nicknamed the “Black Death”
What were the effects of the Germanic invasions on the Western Roman Empire
1
2
3
- DISRUPTION OF TRADE
Merchant businesses failed which destroyed European economic centers - DOWNFALL OF CITIES
People left cities because of the tattered economy - POPULATION SHIFT
As government collapsed, people moved to rural areas with communities mostly based on agriculture
How did the Church influence European society?
1
2
3
4
- Acted as a unifying force b/c of shared beliefs
- Provided Christians with a sense of security and belonging
- Gave people hope in difficult times through salvation
- Created justice system
To what extent did corruption within the church in the 11th century lead to reforms
What reforms did the church take 1 2 3 4
- Many priests were married, bishops practiced simony (selling off positions for money) and kings practiced lay investiture (nobles appointing clergy)
- Pope Leo IX and Pope Gregory VII enforced laws against simony and marriage of priests
- Church restructured to resemble a kingdom
- Developed canon law
- Monastic reforms
Causes and effects of the Crusades
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Call to get the holy land Religious fervor from Age of Faith Wanted to get rid of quarrelsome king it's People were looking for a place in society + fame People expanded trade Led to revival of learning Lessened power of the Church Muslim and Christian tension Weakened Byzantine empire
How did agriculture and trade lead to the growth of towns?
Switch to horsepower, 3-field system allowed for a large food supply to support a growing population
Better farming technique allowed more people to specialize in other fields
Guilds organized merchants and artisans into one group
Commercial revolution lead to trade and better economy
Towns grew and flourished as centers of trade
What lead to the battle between English and French nobles
King Edward the Confessor died without an heir
Anglo-Saxons and Normans both claimed the throne
How did England’s government take the first steps toward democracy?
Henry II used juries in courts
Formed common law
Magna Carta guaranteed rights to citizens
Parliament included representatives from different regions and classes
Long lasting effects of the bubonic plague & Hundred Years’ War on Europe
BUBONIC PLAGUE:
population decrease, trade decline and good’s prices rose,
serfs left manor in search of better wages
Peasant revolts b/c nobles refused demands of higher wages
Jews were blamed and driven from homes/killed
church lost prestige b/c prayers ineffective against disease and
priests abandoned duty
downfall of feudalism,
HUNDRED YEARS WAR:
Feeling of nationalism emerged ->monarch power increase and local nobles power decrease
English suffered from internal turmoil as 2 noble houses fought each other’s in the War of the Roses
Power and prestige of French monarchy increased
