The Late Middle Ages (ca )

The Late Middle Ages Why should we consider this phase of European history as one of disasters? Any parallels to events and crises of 20 th and 21 st centuries?

The Church and Christianity Pope Boniface VIII (r ) Limits of Papal Power – –King Philip IV vs. Pope Boniface VIII – –Boniface protested Philip’s taxation of French clergy, but had to back down – –Philip arrested bishop for treason  Boniface outraged, but humiliated by king – –Papacy now weaker than monarchs

The Church and Christianity Tomb of Pope Gregory XI, Church of S. Francesca Romana, Rome The “Babylonian Captivity” ( ) The “Babylonian Captivity” ( ) –French pope elected to papacy –Moved to Avignon (1309)  French popes  Corruption? –Many unhappy Christians in Western Europe –Papacy returned to Rome (1377)

The Church and Christianity The Great Western Schism ( ) – –Returning pope died (1378) – –Turbulent election  new, Italian pope – –Dissatisfaction  schism   Two popes!   Spiritual and political crisis! – –Council of Pisa (1409)   Deposed both popes, elected new one   Unsuccessful  3 popes!

The Church and Christianity Late Medieval Heresy Late Medieval Heresy –JOHN WYCLIF (ca )  Advocated state role in church matters  Bible!  Criticized transubstantiation –Lollards –JAN HUS (ca )  Influenced by Wyclif  Preacher in Prague  Critical of church hierarchy and “abuses” John Wyclif

The Church and Christianity The Council of Constance ( ) The Council of Constance ( ) –Summoned by emperor –Response to Heresy  Hus tried, condemned (1415)  Wyclif’s remains destroyed –Schism resolved  Three rival popes deposed  Martin V elected Execution of Hus

The Church and Christianity Roettgen Pietá Early 14th cent. Late Medieval Mysticism Late Medieval Mysticism –Mysticism: spirituality seeking intimacy with God –Very common among women –Increased devotional literature –Increased focus on Passion of Christ, devotion to Virgin Mary

The Church and Christianity Questions? Questions?

Society and Economy Population growth  overpopulation (14 th cent.) Population growth  overpopulation (14 th cent.) –Less land to cultivate –Wages decreased –Famines

Society and Economy The Black Death ( ) The Black Death ( ) –Epidemic –Spread rapidly, contagious –Noticeable, painful symptoms –Very quick death

Society and Economy The Plague’s Origins The Plague’s Origins –Began in Far East, traveled westward along trade routes –Carried by fleas on infected rats –Arrived in Europe at Mediterranean ports

Society and Economy The Black Death The Black Death –Cause debated –Why??? –Aftermath  Death of up to 1/2 of Europe’s population  Obsession with death  Recurred until 18 th century

Society and Economy Economics in Italy Economics in Italy –Trade  Location  focal point  Contact between Europe and East –Banking  Lots of bankers  MEDICI bank founded in Florence (1397) Medici Bank

Society and Economy The Hanseatic League Northern Economics Northern Economics –Numerous financial centers –Hanseatic League  Competition for Italians  Conglomeration of 100+ northern mercantile cities –Wool industry

Society and Economy Questions? Questions?

Political Issues Fall of Constantinople Fall of Constantinople –Byzantine Empire threatened by Turks –Constantinople besieged, conquered (May 1453)  Istanbul –Ottoman Empire: threat to Western Europe Siege of Constantinople

Political Issues The Hundred Years War ( ): Causes The Hundred Years War ( ): Causes –Last Capetian monarch died (1328) – who succeeds?  English king was a relation  Philip VI elected by French nobility  Neither candidate conceded claims  war! –English claims to French lands

Political Issues The War: Initial English Success The War: Initial English Success –Strategy: raids –New technology  Longbows  Cannons –Territorial gains! –English king: new heir to throne (1420) Battle of Créçy (1346)

Political Issues

Siege of Orléans France Strikes Back France Strikes Back –JOAN OF ARC ( )  Teenage peasant, mystic  Claimed mission from God (1428)  Promised French heir –France rebounded –Joan captured, sold to English  burned at stake (May 1431)

Political Issues Ultimate French Victory Ultimate French Victory –Northern France reconquered –English driven out by 1453

Political Issues Ferdinand and Isabella Spain: Ferdinand and Isabella Spain: Ferdinand and Isabella –Unified Spanish crown (1469)  Ferdinand: heir of Aragon, Catalonia  Isabella: heir of Castile –Completed Reconquista (1492)

Political Issues

Ferdinand and Isabella Religion in Spain Religion in Spain –Fervent Catholicism –Expelled Jews (1492), Muslims (1504) –SPANISH INQUISITION (1478)  Tool of State  Principal goal: attack “judaizing” traditions among conversos

Political Issues Questions? Questions?

The Late Middle Ages Why should we consider this phase of European history as one of disasters? Any parallels to events and crises of 20 th and 21 st centuries?