1. High Middle Ages

2. High Middle Ages High Middle Ages
The Middle Ages in Europe had reached a high point in the 1200’s.
Life had finally stabilized and become peaceful.
REVIEW: Why? What events have helped stabilize life?
England and France had increased the power of the king
Created Magna Carta and Parliaments
Feudalism was ending
The Church had much political power

3. Life During the High Middle Ages
Population growth
Manors grew into towns.
Cities grew
Old Roman cities grew and new cities developed
Paris: 150,000
London: 40,000
Florence: 100,000
Construction of cathedrals
Romanesque and Gothic
Trade began again
Money economy emerged
Middle class emerged
“Burgers”
“Bourgeosie”
Guilds emerged
Business associations
Set price, establish standards, etc.
Master and Apprentice

4. Life During the High Middle Ages
Universities emerge
Oxford, 1264
University of Paris, c.1200
Law, medicine, theology.
Tried to build upon Islamic knowledge gained during the Crusades!
Europeans started writing in the vernacular.
Local languages (not Latin!)
Famous writers of the time…
Dante (1265 – 1321 A.D.)
The Divine Comedy (Dante’s Inferno)
Chaucer (1340 – 1400 A.D.)
The Canterbury Tales
English!

5. Power of the Church
The Church reached its most political power in the 1200’s.
Power of Pope
Excommunication
Removal from the Church
Interdict
Forbids priests from performing the sacraments to a certain group of people.
Inquisition, or Holy Office (Court)
Found and prosecuted heretics
Those who deny church doctrine (non-Christians)

6. Power of the Church Christians began worshiping saints Relics
Someone who had a special position in Heaven.
Could ask God for favors for people.
Relics
Bones or objects connected with saints.
Pilgrimages
Visiting a holy shrine was beneficial.
Rome
Jerusalem

7. Late Middle Ages In the 1300’s, a few disastrous changes took place.
Life becomes destabilized and chaotic… again.
Late Middle Ages
The Hundred Years’ War
Church Power Declines
The Black Death