A New Civilization Emerges in
Western Europe
Postclassical/ Middle Ages

Period of great faith-Islam and Christianity
 Christian missionaries spread message north.
 Europe grows in participation of trade
 Europeans learned of technologies and
scholarship from these contacts (Africans,
Asians, Muslims, Byzantines
 “Their bodies are large, their manners harsh,
their understanding dull their tongues heavy.
Those who are farthest to the north are the
most subject to stupidity, grossness, and
brutishness” Muslim writer- crusades
Problems

Rome was the center of the Church and the
Church was the most powerful institution in
West
 Italy was divided: Papal states, Milan,
Florence, Venetian Republic, and Kingdom of
Naples
 Poor education due to focus on farming and
weak regional rulers
 Spain in the hands of Muslims. Spain was a
vibrant and important intellectual and
economic area lost to western Europe
 Frequent invasions created instability
Section 1:Charlemagne
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Middle Ages or
Medieval period 5001300: after fall of Rome,
Europe remained
fragmented
Disruption in trade,
downfall of cities, and
population shifts
Germanic invaders who
stormed Rome were not
well educated and the
level of learning sank
No written language
As Germans began to
mix with the Romans
language changed

Dialects popped up and
various languages
appeared like French and
Spanish
 Germanic kingdoms rose
in place of the Roman
Empire
 Church was the institution
that was able to withstand
the break up of Rome and
governed society
 Concept of government
changed-loyal to family
and community. Warriors
loyal to leaders they
respected
Charlemagne
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In Gaul the Franks
emerged under their
leader, Clovis
Clovis adopted
Christianity due to God
helping him in battle in
496 CE and to gain
prestige over pagan
rivals
By 600 the Church and
Frankish rulers helped
to convert many
Germanic peoples
Church created
religious communities,
monasteries, for rural
areas
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Monks gave up all
worldly possessions
and became servants of
God
Under Pope Gregory I
(590) the papacy
expanded its powers
over secular or worldly
matters, including
politics
He used the Church’s
money to raise armies,
repair roads, and help
the poor
All western and central
Europe fell under the
Pope’s control and
authority

Charlemagne
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Europe fell into small
kingdoms after the fall
of the Roman Empire
The strongest was in
the area of Gaul under
the leadership of Clovis
(Franks)
Clovis expanded his
territory to encompass
all of modern France
and strengthened his
family line
(Merovingian)
700 Mayor of the
Palace-ruler of the
kingdom
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Charles Martel
(Hammer) was Mayor
and held more power
than the king.
He expanded the empire
and defeated the
Muslims at the Battles of
Tours in 732 –this kept
Europe Christian!
Muslims had been
invaded via Spain
Next ruler, Charles’ son,
Pepin the Short. In order
to become strong, Pepin
aligned himself with the
Pope. He fought against
the Lombards and the
Pope was happy-”kings
by the grace of God”
became the Carolingian
Dynasty
CLOVIS
CHARLES
MARTEL
CHARLEMANGE
Charlemagne
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Pepin died and left the
Frankish empire to his
sons (Carloman and
Charles). Charles
inherited the throne after
Carloman died. He
became Charlemagne
Charlemagne was 6’4”
800 He built an empire
greater than anything
since Rome: France,
Spain, and Germany
Pope Leo III granted
Charlemagne the title of
Roman emperor for
fighting off unruly nobles
in Rome
This united Germanic
kings and the Church
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He limited the authority of the
nobles, strengthened his powers,
and traveled throughout his empire
He encouraged learning and
opened a palace school for his
many children
814 his son, Louis the Pious
became emperor-he was an
ineffective ruler and concerned
more with religion
Pious’ 3 sons fought each other for
the empire. It was split into 3
kingdoms after the civil war in the
Treaty of Verdun in 843
762 Otto I king of Germany helped
the pope against Roman nobles
like Charlemagne and the pope
gave him the title “holy” and he
added it to Roman Emperor from
and hence rulers of ancient
Germany became Holy Roman
Emperors and the territory was
known as the Holy Roman Empire
Section 2: Feudalism
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The destabilization that
the civil war caused
brought Europe into
new political turmoil and
led to the development
of feudalism
 Feudalism is a political
system based on land
ownership and personal
loyalty
 At this weakened state
Europe was then
attacked by invaders:
Vikings, Magyars, and
Muslims
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Vikings(Norsemen)
sailed from Scandinavia
to Europe down
waterways to raid
villages and towns
They carried out these
raids with terrifying
speed and by the time
local troop arrived the
Vikings were long gone
Viking warships allowed
for these raids…could
hold as many as 300
warriors
They looted villages
and monasteries, were
Section 2: Feudalism
 Following the Viking
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Vikings were also
known to go as far as
Russia on raids
They are also credited
with reaching the
Americas
Vikings gradually began
to accept Christianity
and as this happened
the raids decreased
Climate warming
combined with this to
allow for increased
farming in Scandinavia
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decline a new group
from the east began
assaulting Europe…the
Magyars
Magyars did not settle
conquered lands
instead sold the
conquered people into
slavery
At the same time
Muslims attacked from
the south
These invasions caused
disruption of trade,
political disorder, and
suffering
Section 2: Feudalism

These attacks led to the
development of a new
political system called
feudalism-power was
based on land
ownership and loyalty
Lord
gives
Land
(fief)
vassal
Loyalty and military
service
King
Church/ clergy
nobles
knights
Peasants/ serfs
New economic and urban vigor

New agricultural techniques: 3 field crop
rotation, no chock horse collars, and the
moldboard plow (deeper soil)
 Elite defined by landownership and military
powers
 Viking raid declined as they become Christian
and regional governments became more
powerful
 Population growth occurred! Created new
markets. Towns grew while serfdom
continued. Specialization occurred and
scholarship began again. Literacy increased.
 11th century universities: medicine and law
Feudal Monarchies -expand powers

After the breakup of Charlemagne's empire
kings of France and England sought to
increase their powers
 Dukes and counts ruled their lands
independently under feudalism. By 1000
France was divided into 30 feudal territories.
In 987 the last member of the Carolingian
family (Louis the Sluggard) died!
 987 Hugh Capet (count of Paris) succeeded
him. He was voted to become king. The
Capet family ruled a small territory around
Paris. Capetian monarchy started out around
Paris and grew by better administration and
diplomacy (marriage).
 The Capetian dynasty lasted from 987-1328
Capetian Dynasty of France
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Hugh Capet and his successors took advantage of
Paris and the powerful trade routes that ran through
their territory. They grew out from Paris and
eventually united France!
He consolidated his power by 1) making the throne
hereditary (2) adding lands by playing rivals nobles
against each other (3) supporting the Church (4)
creating a bureaucracy that collected taxes and
imposed royal law (5) created alliance by marriages
with strong lords
Hugh Capet
Philip II of France
King Philip II of France

Philip II (Philip Augustus) of France- 1180-1223- He
was successful in seizing Normandy from England
(King John) in 1204. By the end of Philip’s reign he had
tripled the lands under his direct control. For the first
time a French king had become more powerful than his
vassals!
 Philip II also created a more powerful government. He
created royal officials (bailiffs) and sent them to each
district to preside over collecting taxes and courts.
 Philip consolidated his power by 1) paying middle class
to be government officials and thus they were very
loyal to him and appreciative of their new offices (2)
granting charters to towns –ensuring townspeoples
rights and income for himself (3) making a national tax
(4) quadrupling the size of France via his war with King
John and by helping the Pope fight heretics
(Albigensians) in what would become southern France.
French Kings
continued
King Louis IX 1226
 Pious man that led 2
Crusades. Made a saint
by the Church
 Had roving officials to
check on local
administrators
 Banned private wars
 Expanded the royal
court system
 Heard cases himself!
Philip IV 1300s –grandson of
Louis IX
 Tried to collect taxes from
clergy…led to fight with
Pope Boniface III. Philip
IV tried to capture the
pope, but he escape only
soon thereafter to die.
 Philip set up the Estates
General to rally support
from the people for his
fight with the Pope. 3
Estates ( clergy, nobles,
and townspeople)
 In 1305 a Frenchmen was
named pope and he
moved the court to
Avignon, France
(Babylonian Captivity).
There the popes were
under the influence of the
French Kings!
King Louis IX
England

Patchwork of feudal states controlled by local
lords
 Many invaders…came up with new prayer
“God deliver us from the fury of the
Northmen” (Vikings). Only happened after
Alfred the Great (871-899) managed to turn
back the Viking attacks. Gradually he and his
successors united the kingdom under one
ruler, calling it England or land of the Angles
(Germanic tribe)
 1016 Danish king, Canute, conquered
England. In 1042 King Edward the Confessor
took the throne and died without a heir.
Battle of Hastings

William the Conqueror of Normandy (n.
France) was a cousin of Edward. He invaded
England with his Norman army in 1066.
 He had to fight against the Anglo-Saxon rival,
Harold Godwinson. He was the brother in-law
of Edward and elected king by an English
council.
 Battle of Hastings, 10-14-1066. After Harold
was killed with an arrow to the eye the
Normans won! William declared England his
personal property. English lords who
supported Harold lost their lands. William
granted fiefs 200 Norman lords (barons) who
swore personal loyalty to him.
William the Conqueror
Harold
William the Conqueror
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Consolidated his power by (1) granting fiefs
to loyal nobles. He made these vassals
directly loyal to him and no other lord (2) had
sheriffs roam England and administer justice
to the people (3) took a census and wrote it
down in the Domesday Book (called this
because like Final Judgment no one, or farm,
or even pigpen could escape being counted
by the royal officials!
England
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William the conquerors successors owned lands
of England and Normandy. Many considered the
French Kings to be vassals to England.
Henry II added to these lands by marrying
Eleanor of Aquitaine who brought lands from
France
English kings wanted to hold onto their French
lands and strengthen their powers
Eleanor of Aquitaine was the wife of two kings
and the mother of two kings! WOW! She was
married to Louis VII of France (2nd Crusade)
Their marriage was annulled. She then married
Henry II of England. She had four sons with him
including King Richard the Lionhearted and King
John.
Thus Henry II was the king of England and
King Henry II of England
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Henry II strengthened the royal courts by sending
out royal judges, collected taxes, punished
crimes, creating common laws, settled lawsuits,
and he introduced the jury. Over centuries these
judges formed a unified body of law that became
known as common law. These principles formed
the basis for English speaking law codes across
the world.
Henry had a bitter dispute with his friend the
archbishop Thomas Becket over the issue of
being able to try clergy in royal courts. One day
in anger he screamed “who will rid me of this
meddlesome priest”. As a result in 1170 Becket
was murdered in his own cathedral! 
Henry II
King John II of England

Henry II succeeded by King Richard the
Lionhearted, hero of the 3rd Crusade. After he
died his brother, king John (softsword) came to
the throne (1199-1216). Problems: (1) lost war
and land to French King Philip II (2) dispute with
the pope of the nominee of archbishop led to the
pope excommunicating him and passing an
interdict on all of England (this meant no one
could receive the sacraments)…forced to submit
to the pope and England had to pay money every
year to Rome (3) because of increasing taxes the
nobles began to riot and King John was forced to
sign the Magna Carta in June 15, 1215. It
became the most celebrated document in English
history, the Magna Carta (or great charter)
guaranteed basic political rights for nobles and
state the king was not above the law!
King John
Magna Carta/ Parliament
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June 15, 1215
Nobles wanted to safeguard their own feudal rights and
limit the king’s power. In later years the people argued
that the Magna Carta covered all classes and applied to
each citizen
Guaranteed that nobles had certain rights, forced the
monarch to obey the laws, monarchy agreed not to
raise new taxes without first consulting the Great
Council, protecting people from arbitrary arrest,
imprisonment, and other legal actions…led to due
process of the law, set the basis for habeas corpus the
principle that no person can be held in prison without
first being charged for a crime [Habeas Corpus later
clarified and defined in the Petition of Right in 1628 and
the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679]
included no taxation without representation, a jury trial,
and the protection of the law.
Development of Parliament
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The Great Council evolved in the 1200s into
Parliament which later became England’s legislature.
1295 Edward I need to raise taxes for a war against
the French. He summoned to burgesses (2 nobles)
from each borough. In November of 1295 they met in
London, in what is now called Model Parliament b/c
of its makeup (commoners, non-nobles, as well as
lords). He had a representatives of the common
people join with the lords and clergy. He stated that
“what touches all should be approved by all” Over the
next century 1300-1400s the king called knights and
burgesses whenever a new taxes was needed. In
Parliament, these 2 groups gradually formed an
assembly of their own called the House of Commons.
Lords and bishops met in the House of Lords. At first
he house of lords was the only house in Parliament.
France and England

Hugh Capet-established
Capetian dynasty 9871328
 Philip II 1180-1223:
increases the territory of
France
 Louis IV (1226-1270)
created royal courts that
could overturn local
courts. Strengthen
France’s central
government
 Philip IV (1285-1314)
adds Third Estate to
Estates General
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William the Conqueror,
duke of Normandy,
invades England 1066
Henry II (1154-1189)
introduces use of the
jury in English courts
King John agrees to the
Magna Carta under
pressures from nobles
in 1215
Edward I call Model
Parliament in 1295
100 Years War
1337-1453

1328 Charles IV of
France died childless
 Charles had a sister:
Queen Isabella of
England
 Struggle over French
dynastic succession
Causes of the war:
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English king’s
status as vassal of
the French king for
his territories in
Gascony
English support for
urban rebellions in
Flanders against the
king of France
English king’s claim
to the throne of
France after the end
of the Capetian
dynasty in 1314
Charles IV
Black Death
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
The disease was
carried by fleas on
infected rats, who
would bite humans.
Once bitten the
person would develop
a high fever, begin
coughing, and
develop painful
swelling in lymph
nodes of the groin or
armpits. Final stage
was vomiting blood
Spread bubonic and
pneumonic (person to
person)
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Death took 3-5 days to
kill most. Although,
airborne virus could
only take hours to kill
killed ½ to 1/3 of
Europe’s population
caused major
economic depression
(increased taxation,
revolts, loss of
financial backing in
some cities, and
increased gap
between the rich and
poor
"Der Doktor Schnabel von
Rom" (English: "Doctor
Beak of Rome") engraving
by Paul Fürst. The beak is a
primitive gas mask, stuffed
with substances (such as
spices and herbs) thought to
ward off the plague.
Plague has a long history as
a biological weapon.
Historical accounts from
medieval Europe detail the
use of infected animal
carcasses, such as cows or
horses, and human
carcasses, by Mongols,
Turks and other groups, to
contaminate enemy water
supplies. Plague victims
were also reported to have
been tossed by catapult into
cities under siege.
-wikipedia-
Western Culture in the Postclassical Era
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Combining rational philosophy and religion. Bernard of Clairvaux- mystical
union with God. Bernard believed that reason was dangerous and God’s
truth must be received through faith alone.
By 12th century Western scholars started to read translated Greek and
Byzantine information as well as Arab and Jewish works from the Middle
East.
Thomas Aquinas, Italian born monk, taught at University of Paris. Through
reason alone, humans could know much of the natural order, moral law, and
the nature of God. Scholasticism-dominant medieval philosophical
approach; so-called b/c of its base in the schools or universities; based on
use of logic to resolve theological problems
Emphasis in organizing past work and mastering it.
Mix of piety with religious obligations (not always remembered). Mixed with
veneration of Mary and worship of saints. Mixed still yet with popular pagan
festivals that involved dancing and merriment.
Art and architecture to glorify god, very religious subjects. Western Europe
Gothic architecture became popular (soaring churches). Church-tax
collection, towers-soaring towards heaven-piety
Literature/ music-religion: Latin and growing vernacular, Beowulf from
England and the song of Roland from France. Canterbury Tales-mixed of
stories of comic tales and poetry. Poked fun at hypocrisy of Christians and
showed a fascination with bawdy behavior. Love hymns produced. Medieval
intellectual and artistic life created a host of important themes centered
around religion, but not precluding other areas like science and romantic
poetry.
Rural Life/ Trade
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Peasant lives had improved during this time period. Still
manorialism existed some peasants were almost free
farmers while others were constrained.
Urban growth led to more specialized manufacturing and
commercial activities. Banking grew as long distance trade
grew. Italy, Germany, Low countries, France, and Britain
key area. (Greed not a Christian idea). Use of money
spread.
Trade within Europe and the greater world
Spices from Asia
Timber and grain from the north for cloth and metal
products from Italy and Low Countries
England-wool industry
Hanseatic League-cites in n. Germany and Scandinavia
grouped together to encourage trade
Supported new business ventures at great risk (pirates,
lost a sea) with fortune to be gained or lost
Formation of Joint stock companies where merchants
came together to invest in an activity
Trade
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Merchants had a freer hand than in many other
places b/c the western monarchs were weaker.
They also liked the merchants as a balance to
powerful landed aristocracy. Additionally, the
merchants created and ruled cities wherein laws
and courts were created to regulate commercial
laws. They were unusually independent and
powerful. They also gave lots of taxes and loans
to kings.
Guilds heavily relied upon-they grouped people
in the same business or trade in a single city,
sometimes with loose links to similar guilds in
other cities. Stressed security and mutual control/
benefit. Not about making profits so they
discouraged new methods. Guarantee quality
and pay. Played important role in city govern.

Development of the cottage industry
 As society became increasingly urban and
complex women’s roles decline 
 A Patriarchal structure began taking root
where women were seen as the assistants/
comforters of men and they should be docile.
 Religion- Eve as the source of human
sin…women were given a hard time due to
this. However, during the Middle Ages
veneration for Mary occurred balancing this
out more! Women were less confined than in
Islamic culture, but were not assured of
property rights
Decline of Medieval Synthesis
 Hundred
Years War: war between
France and England over control of
lands. France won, but no one really
one. Exhausted both countries and
accidentally helped France b/c the state
took over lands without heirs (they died
in the war). In England it led to a civil
war. War of the Roses!
War of the Roses
The English Civil War 1455-1485
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The civil war in England
English kings granted
more power to
aristocracy for financial
support during 100 Yrs.
War. War created
powerful and
autonomous
aristocratic families
with their own armies.
Under weak kings the
families fought for
power for 30 years
Rival branches of the
royal family fought of
the English crown


York-badge was the white
rose and Lancaster-badge
was the red rose. (Roses
focus later added on to
make the war seem more
romantic)
War came to an end when
Henry Tudor of the
Lancaster house defeated
King Richard III. Henry
Tudor then became Henry
VII of England and ruled
1489-1509. He married
Elizabeth of York. This
started the Tudor dynasty
of England that ended with
Elizabeth I nicknamed the
virgin queen.
Strain
Agricultural problems…limited lands and
methods that led to famine.
 Plagues-black plague
 Social conflict between nobles and peasants
 Church weakened by Babylonian captivity
and the great schism. People began
preaching against the Church structure and
some women claimed a direct emotional
relationship with God. (heretics!)
 Some intellectual and artistic were declared
heretical by the Church

serfs
Section 3: Chivalry

During Middle Ages,
nobles fought one
another, keeping
Europe fragmented for
centuries
 Through warfare feudal
lords defended their
estates, seized new
territories, and
increased their wealth
 Role of the warrior was
very prized in this
society

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Knights had a code of
chivalry: a complex set
of ideals, demanded
that a knight fight
bravely in defense of
three masters: feudal
lord, the Lord, and his
chosen lady
Knights fought bravely
in tournaments to show
their training and
hopefully pick up lands
Siege Weapons

To look at siege
weapons click on the
following link:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nov
a/lostempires/trebuchet/race.
html
Click below to play destroy
the medieval castle!!!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nov
a/lostempires/trebuchet/destr
oywave.html
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Troubadours would
travel around Europe
and play for moneywhat people did for fun!
Women had increasing
power because they
could inherit land from
their husbands and rule
in his place while he
was gone during the
Crusades
Section 4: The Church
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Amid weak
governments and feudal
states stood the
Church-the most
powerful institution
During this time the
powers of the Church
were growing
Accordingly the
emperor or kings should
submit to the powers of
the pope/ Church
Many clashes over
powers between the
state and Church
emerged

Structure of the
Church similar to
that of society
during this time
Pope
Bishops
priests
Section 4: The Church
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During the state of
constant warfare the
Church provided
stability and leadership
for medieval society
Religious officials
provided the
sacraments or
important religious
ceremonies that paved
the way for salvation
Religion became the
social center
The Church also had
laws-canon law-in areas
such as marriage and
religion

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Popes got people,
including kings, to obey
them by the use of
excommunication!
Following the death of
Charlemagne the Holy
Roman Empire
(Germany) emerged as
the kingdom strongest
from his line
The H.R.E. and the
pope developed a
special relationship-Otto
I and People Leo III
Section 4:
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Church became fearful of
kings powers over lay
investiture -a ceremony in
which kings and nobles
appointed (invested) church
officials-they yielded real
power over the Church
1073 Pope Gregory VII
made reforms-limited
secular influences – lay
investiture, no marriage for
priests, banned simony
Gregory vs. Henry IV of
H.R.E.- Pope
excommunicated Henry IV
and headed north to crown
a new emperor so Henry
asked for forgiveness

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Resulted was the Concordat of
Worms in 1122: the Church alone
could choose a bishop yet the
emperor had the veto power to
prevent the appointment of a
bishop
1152 German princes elected
Frederick I “Barbarossa” emperor
He launched attacks on rich
lands-resources
Angered Italian merchants.
Formed an alliance against
Frederick I (Lombard League)
1176 meet at the Battle of
Legnano-lost to Lombard League
and forces of the Pope
(Alexander III)
Result-weakened German state
due to picking emperors and
continued clashes with the
Church
Pope Gregory VII
The Roman Catholic Church


There was only one
church in the Middle
Ages in Western
Europe (Roman
Catholic), which held
power both over kings
and countries. In the
late Middle Ages the
church began to lose
its powers:
Babylonian Captivity
(Jewish) and Great
Schism (1054) are
also earlier events

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
Babylonian Captivity: 1304-1374
popes lived in Avignon in
southeastern France (away
from Rome). French kings
influenced the pope and the
church. Ended with the death of
pope Gregory XI in 1377
Great Schism: various popes at
same time 1377-1415 –
succession crisis! Ended with
the election of pope Martin V
Conciliar Movement: reform the
church by assemblies
(constitutional)
John Wycliffe precursor of the
Reformation-scriptures alone
should be the standard for
Christian belief

Wycliffe attacked the
doctrinal and political
bases of the Church.
He was against the
selling of indulgences,
stated the sacraments
were only as good as
the priest, Eucharist
was spiritually, and
salvation depended on
predestination. He
attacked the Church’s
right to wealth and
luxury which made the
English monarchy
happy and thus he was
protected. His followers
were called Lollards.

Jan Hus-rejected much of
what Wycliffe thought, but
did agree that indulgences
were not good. He called
for Church reform of
liturgy and morals. Both
pope XXIII and Bohemian
king Wenceslas IV were
outraged! Hus was
excommunicated and
found guilty of heresy. He
was burned at the stake!
His followers were called
Hussites