1. The Decline of Feudalism

3. What was Black Death?
A deadly plague that spread across Europe from
Caused by a form of bacteria
Appeared in three forms:
1. pneumonic – attacked the lungs
2. septicemic – appeared in bloodstream
3. bubonic – caused buboes on the body

4. How did the Black Death spread throughout Europe?
Originated in Mongolia and spread along the Silk Road
Bacteria carried by fleas who lived on rats
Italian merchant ships brought rats to Europe along with trade goods
First appeared in Sicily and eventually spread.

6. Why couldn’t people stop the spread of the Black Death?
People were ignorant of its cause; they blamed the stars, God’s anger, and the Jews
They tried ineffective cures such as pomanders, flagellation, and repentance of sins

7. How did the Black Death change life in Europe?
Killed 1/3 of population
Forced farmers to diversify their crops
Peasants revolted and demanded more freedom
Working class moved to cities to earn better wages
Reduced the power of feudal lords

8. The Peasants Revolt
With 1/3rd of Europe dying from the plague, labor became harder to come by.
Peasants realized their worth and demanded changes.
Essex village in England attempted to collect a poll tax to help fund war campaigns in foreign places.
The villagers refused and this leads to revolts by peasants in their villages. This moves into the London..
Nothing changed in writing, but this made the nobles and kings aware that the peasants were dissatisfied and capable of wreaking havoc!!

9. What do you see?
What visual clues help you distinguish between the two armies?
What is significant about the person holding the flag?
What seems to be her role in the battle?

10. William the Conquer Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066
Normans win the decisive battle and declare England theirs.
Marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine united Normandy with England.
Two sons Richard the Lion-Hearted and John

11. Peasants Gaining More Power
On June 15, 1215, the Magna Carta signed reluctantly by King John. Guaranteed certain basic political rights.
No taxation without representation.
Jury Trial
Protection of the Law
Parliament established in November 1295.

12. How did the Hundred Years’ War begin?
French king Charles IV died in 1328 with no male heir
Two men attempted to claim the vacant throne
1. Edward III of England, son-in-law of Charles IV
2. Philip of Valois, nephew of Charles
English armies attacked France

13. The Great Schism
It ended in 1417 with the Holy Roman Emperor and his council making them resign and selecting a new single pope.
In 1300, King Phillip IV went against the power of Pope Boniface and created his own pope in the French city of Avignon
Of course each pope declared the other one false and this resulted in a spilt or schism in the Church

14. How did the nature of warfare change?
Longbows eliminated advantages of armor
Cannons could be used to blast holes in castles
Monarchs used armies recruited from common people

15. Who was Joan of Arc and how did she change the course of the war?
Young peasant woman who was inspired by God to save France
Convinced Charles VII to let her lead an army against the English in 1429
Helped push the English armies out of Central France
Captured, accused of heresy, and burned at stake in 1431; sainted in 1922

16. How did the war contribute to the end of feudalism in France?
People became more patriotic, more devoted to the monarch than their feudal lord
Monarchs built huge armies with the taxes they collected, which reduced the power of nobles

17. Town Life during the Middle Ages
Towns were small; society based on agriculture and most people lived in the countryside
Nobles had most of the power
a. Lords owned the land where most towns were located
b. Towns needed protection from knights that lords could provide
Status was determined by birthright

18. Town Life during Renaissance
Towns grew; society began to be based on commerce and more people moved to the cities
Middle class had most of the power
a. limited the power of feudal lords by forcing them to grant charters
b. gained control of great sums of money by organizing banks.
Status was determined by wealth and ability

19. A little more…
Centrally located towns became bustling centers of trade, attracting merchants, craftspeople, and customers.
As merchants and others became more important and powerful, they used their wealth to commission art, new buildings, and to start universities
New wealth helped to fund a growth in art and learning