High Middle Ages

1. High Middle Ages European History

2. Monarchs • Feudal Monarchs stood at the head of society, but had little power • Monarchs still relied on vassals for military support • Monarchs strengthened ties to the middle class, and created loyalty

3. Growth of Royal Power in Europe • Strong Monarchs in England • William the Conqueror • Norman conquest over Harold at the Battle of Hastings • Granted fiefs to the church and his Norman Lords but kept majority of land for himself • kept a census- (called it Domesday Book) • Helped build an efficient system of tax collecting. Eventually led to royal exchequer. (treasury).

4. Growth of Royal Power in Europe • William the Conqueror • Unified Legal System • In 1154, King Henry II started broadening the system of royal justice. Set up English Common Law • A legal system based on customs and court rulings • Also developed a jury system • Led to conflict with the church • Felt it was their right to try clergy in royal courts

5. Evolving Traditions of English Government • Magna Carta (Great Charter) 1215 A.D. • King John angered his nobles and they forced him to sign this agreement • It required Due Process • Protecting every free man from arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, and other legal action except by legal judgment. • Two Ideas • Nobles had certain rights (over time rights were given to citizens) • Also made monarchs obey the laws.

6. Evolving Traditions of English Government (Con’t) • Parliament • Granted charters • Organized standing army • New national tax • Quadrupled royal holdings (trickery, war and diplomacy)

7. Evolving Traditions of English Government (Con’t) • Louis XI • Genuine, Noble, Devoted to justice • Estates General • Phillip IV rallied French support (Had representation from all three estates)

8. Europe Looks Forward • Crusades – 1095- • Christians battled Muslims for control in the middle east • Islam had given rise to new heights • crusades – Four in all- motivated by religious zeal • Religious Hatred • Hatred of Jews • Quicken the pace of change already underway • increased trade • growth of money economy • increased power of the monarchs

9. Europe Looks Forward (Con’t) • Islam had given rise to new heights • broadened European horizon • reconquista (reconquist) • Muslims were in control of Spain • Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of castile • Married and worked to rid Spain of Muslims • (under Muslim rule, Spain had enjoyed religious toleration) • Isabella set up a system where non-Christians were tried (many people killed or left) • Estimated 150,000 skilled people left Spain

10. Crisis in Europe • By the 1350’s the black plague brought changes to much of Europe • Global Epidemic • One in three people died in Europe • Bubonic plague spread from fleas on rats • Premodern world rats infested ships, towns and even homes (fleas jumped from rats to clothes) • In cairo plague killed 7,000 people a day

11. Crisis in Europe (Con’t) • In cairo plague killed 7,000 people a day • social upheaval • brought tear and bewilderment • jews were blamed • people lived on the edge • witchcraft • turned to religion • Economic Effects • Economy plunged • Higher wages • Inflation • Riots and unrest among the people • Farms faltered, people went to the cities

12. Crisis in Europe (Con’t) • In cairo plague killed 7,000 people a day • Divisions in the Church • Divisions in the Catholic Church • Church did not provide strong leadership • Church Challenges • Popular preachers challenged church authority • Corruption • John Wycliffe • challenged the church and the bible (tried for heresy) • Jan Hus called for reforms in the Bohemia

13. 100 Years War • Between England and France • Causes • English rulers holding French lands • Economic rivalry • National pride • Effects • French Kings expanded power • Longbow • cannons