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

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

2. Development of Rights • 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. Development of Rights • 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. Development of Parliament • 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to it: • House of Lords – originally filled with people with hereditary tiles (this has changed) • House of Commons – originally made up of wealth citizens who were not nobles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. A Time of Troubles: Black Death and Social Crisis • “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. The Black Death • Originated in China; brought to Europe via trading ships who docked in Sicily. • Chinese used plague victims as weapons in war by flinging their bodies over battlements. • More grossness…

7. Life and Death: Reactions to the Plague • Belief that plague as a punishment from God led to…

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

9. Life and Death: Reactions to the Plague • Attacks against Jews for “poisoning water.” • General violence due to fear and lack of understanding – anger could not be directed toward God.

10. Economic Dislocation and Social Upheaval • 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

11. Background to the Hundred Years’ War: Kings of France and England

12. The Hundred Years’ War (1337 to 1453) 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. Henry V (1413 – 1422) • 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. Joan of Arc (1412 – 1431) • 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. Conclusion • 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