1. The Feudalistic Society of the Middle Ages
The late
Middle Ages
The Feudalistic Society of the Middle Ages

2. Section Focus
Because of Viking and Muslim raids, and the death of Charlemagne, monarchies collapsed.
Nobles decided to protect their own land and became independent.
Feudalism started - power based on ownership of land.

3. The Rise of Feudal Territories
Nobles had all power in territory and controlled the government:
Raised armies
Collected taxes
Protected peasants
Some Nobles became more powerful than Kings.
People believed that God wanted society this way.

4. The Rise of Feudal Territories
Society included 4 main groups:
Kings: “Owned” most land
Nobles: Worked for king in return for some land
Knights: Fought for nobles in return for some land
Peasants & Serfs: Worked for everyone in return for protection

5. The Rise of Feudal Territories
A person who promised to fight for another, in return for land, became a Vassal.
Promise was known as the “act of homage.”
Many learned how to fight to obtain land.
Feudalism: He who has the land, has the power.

6. Knighthood Almost all nobles were knights (warriors on horseback).
Knights had to obey their lord, honor the church, help people, be honest, fight fairly (chivalry).
Trained for war by fighting in tournaments.
Very expensive to be a knight, received land for military service.

7. Knighthood
Armor of Medieval Knights

8. Knighthood
Swords of Medieval Knights

9. Knighthood
Weapons of Medieval Knights

10. The Manor All people depended on manor for needs.
A manor is an isolated farming community owned by lords and won through fighting.
Manors had:
Castle / Manor House
Fields
Mill
Church
Houses

11. The Manor

12. The Manor
Lords were always away fighting and needed others to work land:
Freemen: peasants who rented land from noble
Serfs: Tied to the land
Noblewomen (ladies) were subservient to men and raised children, cooked, cleaned, and took care of sick.
Lord’s word was law and he controlled all aspects of manor.

13. The Influence of the Christian Church
The late
Middle Ages
The Influence of the Christian Church

14. Section Focus One power was even above the Lord’s word; The Church.
European daily life revolved around the Roman Catholic Church.
Church took control of government, law, art, and learning.

15. Catholic Influence Nobles and Clergy began to clash over power.
Because of the “offerings,” power in the Church became corrupt.
Clergy wanted power back.
Pope began the “Holy Roman Empire” and claimed power over all kings and clergy.

16. Catholic Influence
People who went against Pope lost all rights (excommunicated).
Bishop of Constantinople argued against the power of the Pope.
Pope excommunicated the bishop and his followers.
Church split into two, and groups became known as Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.

17. The Crusades
Another group, the Turkish Muslims, challenged power of the “Holy Roman Empire” when they captured Jerusalem and Palestine.
Christians were furious and wanted land back.
Attacked in series of wars called “The Crusades” that lasted almost 200 years.

18. The Crusades Pope Urban II sent troops to recapture area.
Also hoped to reunite the Christian churches.
Pope promised many things if people fought in Crusade:
Money
Forgiveness of taxes and debts
Forgiven of all sins

19. The Crusades

20. The Crusades There were a total of 8 Crusades. 1st Crusade: (Peasants)
Most warriors were peasants who were wiped out by Turks, Nobles eventually captured city.
City was retaken 50 years later.
2nd Crusade: (Nobles)
Nobles set out to recapture, complete failure.

21. The Crusades 3rd Crusade: (Kings) 4th Crusade: (Knights)
Kings of Europe attacked Jerusalem but were unable to retake land.
King Richard of England signed truce with Saladin for Jerusalem.
4th Crusade: (Knights)
Too far away & expensive so they decided to attack Constantinople for Venice.
All other Crusades were complete failures.

22. Effects of the Crusades
Church split became permanent.
Muslim Turks gained more land.
Many new towns were developed and trade grew.
Feudalism diminished, Kings took all power.

23. Europe’s Transition to the Modern World
The late
Middle Ages
Europe’s Transition to the Modern World

24. Section Focus Four main powers emerged:
France (Monarchy)
England (Monarchy)
Spain (Monarchy)
Holy Roman Empire
Kings attempted to control all power in regions.
Angered the Nobles and Church.

25. The Rise of Monarchies
In England most nobles did not go to Crusades and still wanted power.
King forced to sign Magna Carta: took powers from king and gave to nobles (limited the Kings Power) (common Law).
Nobles and King worked together to rule England (Parliament).

26. The Rise of Monarchies
King of England conquered new land (France) to increase power beginning the Hundred Years’ War.
England was winning until a teenage peasant girl, Joan of Arc, led the French and defeated England.
English King lost more power and French king gained power.
France was allied with the Christian Church.

27. The Growth of Trade and Towns
Church reorganized Europe and governments.
People became interested and wanted to trade with “new” parts of world.
Simple markets developed into towns.
Brought new wealth and items into Europe.

28. The Growth of Trade and Towns
Became very crowded, unhealthy, and disease was everywhere.
Most destructive was “The Black Death” which killed more than million people.

29. The Growth of Trade and Towns
Less workers due to plague.
Merchants became stronger, Nobles lost power (guilds).
Feudalism was over.
People began to look after themselves, than God.
Christian domination diminished.

30. Europe in Transition
The Church, and Monarchy of Spain, began the “Reconquista” to retake land and power.
Spain had been conquered by the Muslim Moors.
Moors were finally defeated by King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella.

31. Europe in Transition Spanish monarchy feared for stability of kingdom.
Began the Inquisition, to remove heretics with force.
Spain wanted to promote culture (Christianity) as far as possible.

32. Europe in Transition
In 1492, Spain sent Columbus to India to find a faster route for trade.
Accidentally found the “New World.”
New discoveries sparked the Renaissance.