The Middle Ages

Barbarians interfered with trade. Merchants were no longer protected so goods were difficult to obtain.

People focused on survival so they needed a new system to protect themselves and grow adequate food. The result was feudalism (political system) and the manor system (economic system).

Feudalism People were organized into lords and vassals. Investiture was a symbolic ceremony forming a relationship for life. Vassals or knights worked the land and fought for the lord. A fief is a piece of land given to a vassal by a lord to divide and guard.

Manor system A manor is a small estate in which the community works and gains their livelihood. They were self-sufficient thus providing all necessary goods. The inhabitants had duties to perform take care of land give gifts pay taxes fight for protection

Inhabitants of the manor Lords - the owners Serf - worked the land and could not leave the manor Free peasants - worked the land but could leave the manor

The Middle Ages were marked by the rise of the church, the Crusades, and the Hundred Years War.

The Rise of the Church People flocked to the church for protection. The church remained educated and organized when the rest of the world was not.

Monasteries The monks lived by poverty, chastity, and obedience. St. Benedict wrote a system of rules for the monks to follow.

Christendom Christendom was the idea of one kingdom under God. Pope Gregory I and Charlemagne spread this idea and attempted to unite Europe.

The Crusades The original intent was to unite the Roman and Byzantine churches under the leadership of Pope Urban II. The first Crusade succeeded in capturing Jerusalem from the Muslims. The second Crusade failed to capture Edessa. The third Crusade attempted to re-capture Jerusalem and failed.

Warriors traveled from Europe to the Middle East.

Results of the Crusades The pope and the feudal nobility both suffered a loss of power. Religious tolerance decreased. Hatred between Muslims and Christians remained high. An increase in trade sparked European expansion.

The Hundred Years War The war was fought between France and the English kings over the English king’s claims to land in France. King Edward III Henry V

New Weapons Gunpowder Longbow Cannon Catapult Gunpowder allowed them to throw projectiles at an enemy from a distance the longbow The english used them to launch large arrows it added to the range for an arrow to attack. Cannon could fire 20 inch stones

Joan of Arc French peasant girl who believed God had sent her to lead the French armies against the English Motivated the French soldiers Played a major role in Charles II becoming king

In the end the French won England was restricted to an island off the coast of Europe

The Bubonic Plague hit Europe in the 14th Century. Population had been increasing because of an increase in food. Farming improvements included the horse collar and the three field system. People crowded into cities so the disease spread quickly. 1/3 the population of Europe died.