The European Middle Ages: Part 2

Periodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500

William the Conqueror: Battle of Hastings, 1066 (Bayeux Tapestry)

King Harold’s Death?

King Harold’s Death?

William the Conqueror

The Death of William the Conqueror Age doesn't seem to have mellowed William much. He was still frequenting battlefields in his early sixties. While fighting the French at the Battle of Mantes, he was thrown against the pommel of his saddle so violently that his intestines burst. Five weeks later -- on September 9, 1087 -- England's conqueror died. His servants stripped him bare and abandoned his body, but a kind-hearted knight arranged a funeral for him at the abbey of St. Stephen in Caen. The funeral was disrupted by the outbreak of a fire. After extinguishing it, the pallbearers tried to cram the king's bloated corpse into a too-small sarcophagus. The body exploded, creating a horrible smell that sent mourners running for the exits. Over the ensuing centuries William's tomb was twice desecrated by French rebels -- an ignoble end for one of history's greatest conquerors.

Feudalism A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

The Power of the Medieval Church bishops and abbots played a large part in the feudal system. the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe. tried to curb feudal warfare  only 40 days a year for combat. curb heresies  crusades; Inquisition tithe  1/10 tax on your assets given to the church. Peter’s Pence  1 penny per person [paid by the peasants].

The Medieval Manor

Life on the Medieval Manor Serfs at work

Pope Urban II: Preaching a Crusade

Setting Out on Crusade

Map of the Crusades

Christian Crusades: East and West

King Richard I

Richard Watches Massacre A grim scene of Richard Coeur de Lion massacring his Saracen hostages in the Holy Land. From his balcony, Richard complacently observes the gruesome spectacle. Headless corpses are piled up beneath a platform on which two blindfolded men are about to be beheaded. Others await their turn, while soldiers lead the next victims to the ladder.

Tomb-effigy of King Richard I at Fontevrault Abbey

The Children’s Crusade (1212)

The Road to Knighthood KNIGHT SQUIRE PAGE

Romanesque Architectural Style Rounded Arches. Barrel vaults. Thick walls. Darker, simplistic interiors. Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.

Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle

Parts of a Medieval Castle

Chivalry: A Code of Honor and Behavior

King John I Born 1167 Crowned 1199 Died 1216

Magna Carta, 1215 Great Charter” monarchs were not above the law. King John I Great Charter” monarchs were not above the law. kings had to consult a council of advisors. kings could not tax arbitrarily.

Gothic Architectural Style Pointed arches. High, narrow vaults. Thinner walls. Flying buttresses. Elaborate, ornate, airier interiors. Stained-glass windows. “Flying” Buttresses

Late Medieval Town Dwellings

Medieval Trade

Medieval Guilds Guild Hall Commercial Monopoly: Controlled membership apprentice  journeyman  master craftsman Controlled quality of the product [masterpiece]. Controlled prices

Medieval Guilds: A Goldsmith’s Shop

Joan of Arc

The Beginnings of the British Parliament Great Council: middle class merchants, townspeople [burgesses in Eng., bourgeoisie in Fr., burghers in Ger.] were added at the end of the 13c. eventually called Parliament. by 1400, two chambers evolved: House of Lords  nobles & clergy. House of Commons  knights and burgesses.