Religious Crises Heresy Alarm Order 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. Heresy, beliefs that opposed official teachings of church Heretical beliefs began increasing in Europe, 1100s Spread throughout medieval society Heresy Most people remained faithful Cases of heresy increased, church officials alarmed Heretics de-emphasized role of clergy, sacraments Alarm Heresy threatened social order in church Heretical beliefs frightened religious officials Determined to stop spread of heresy Order

Fighting heresy Other means Inquisitions primary method of fighting heresy Legal procedures supervised by special judges who tried suspected heretics Accused came before court, local authorities punished guilty parties Other means Francis of Assisi, Dominic of Osma, created new religious orders Members of orders, friars, spread Christian teachings among people War also used to fight heresy Pope Innocent III called for crusade against heretics in southern France, 1208; spent 20 years trying to eliminate heretics there

Wars and Conflict Hundred Years’ War King Philip VI Wars were also being fought so political leaders could gain power for themselves. The two most violent involved the kings of England. French king died without son, 1328 King Edward III of England, nearest living relative Also had first cousin, regent English wanted Edward to rule both countries French did not want English king, favored regent Hundred Years’ War Regent crowned as King Philip VI of France, decision did not please English Edward invaded France, 1337, began Hundred Years’ War English won many victories Used better weapons Moved deeper into France Under Henry V, advanced to gates of Paris King Philip VI

Hundred Years’ War War Changed Course King Charles VII 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 War Changed Course 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 King Charles VII

Wars of the Roses No end of fighting Yorkist victories Richard III 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 Yorkist victories Yorkists successful early; Edward IV took throne, 1461 Won significant victories over Lancastrians Trouble began after Edward’s death 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

Summarize How did fights over the thrones of England and France lead to conflict in medieval Europe? Answer(s): heirs unclear; dispute over French throne led to Hundred Years' War; dispute over English throne led to Wars of the Roses

Black Death Another crisis Different theories Origins Spread quickly Hundred Years’ War took toll on English, French armies At same time another crisis struck, between 1347 and 1351 Black Death, deadly plague Different theories Historians unsure what disease was, or if single disease One theory, combination of two different plagues Bubonic, pneumonic Origins Brought to Europe by merchant sailors from Genoa Plague contracted in Asia Flea-infected rats moved from Genoa to European ports Spread quickly Plague traveled with merchants Spread quickly, struck coastal regions first, moved inland Almost all of Europe touched by Black Death by 1351