1. The Late Middle Ages: Crisis and Disintegration in the Fourteenth Century The Late Middle Ages: Crisis and Disintegration in the Fourteenth Century

2. The English nobles and people always resisted a monarchy with unlimited power. COMMON LAW – Henry II established traveling judges who went throughout England ensuring that the law was the same everywhere – for the wealthy and the common people

3. 1215 – the nobles feared that King John had too much power. They forced him to sign the MAGNA CARTA – or Great Charter. This was the king’s recognition that the nobles had rights he could not trample upon. These were not rights for the common people – but it is seen as the beginning of a government that recognized its own limits to power.

4. The nobles and wealthy people of England developed an assembly to balance the power of the monarch. This became known as PARLIAMENT. It has two parts to it: House of Lords – originally filled with people with hereditary tiles (this has changed) House of Commons – originally made up of wealth citizens who were not nobles

5. “Little Ice Age” Small drop in average temperatures Famine Heavy rain (1315 – 1317) led to food shortages Population growth up to 1300 put pressure on food supply

6. 1.Originated in China; brought to Europe via trading ships who docked in Sicily. 2.Chinese used plague victims as weapons in war by flinging their bodies over battlements. 3.More grossness…More grossness…

7. Belief that plague as a punishment from God led to…

8. Passed through southeastern Europe & the Low Countries. Self-mutilation Strict discipline Escape outlet for the peasant.

9. Attacks against Jews for “poisoning water.” General violence due to fear and lack of understanding – anger could not be directed toward God.

10. Many people moved away from the cities and towns. Declining population forced masters to find new ways to produce goods. Landlords increased rents and turned to raising sheep. Labor Shortage + Falling prices for agricultural products = Drop in aristocratic incomes

12. Causes Entanglement of French and English royal families Royal Succession. Feudalism upset in the balance. King Edward III (1327 – 1377) claims French crown after the death of Charles IV (Fr) French barons award the crown to Philip VI of Valois

13. French Civil War in 1415; Henry invades. Battle of Agincourt (1415) – up to 7000 French dead, as few as 29 English Treaty of Troyes gave French princess to Henry in marriage, but he dies before French king Charles the Dauphin now rightful heir to the French throne.

14. Believed she heard voices from St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. Convinces the Dauphin to lead the army. Liberated France at the Siege of Orleans. Charles is crowned at Reims Joan is captured by allies of the English in 1430 & put on trial for witchcraft Burned at the stake (1431) Declared Patron Saint of France in 1920.

15. War ends with French victory (1453) thanks to inspiration from Joan of Arc English driven out of France except for Calais New Weapons Longbow Gunpowder for cannons