High Middle Ages

Mr. Stikes

• SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics.

• b. Describe the political impact of Christianity; include Pope Gregory VII and King Henry IV of Germany (Holy Roman Emperor).

Important Figures

• Pope Gregory VII: (1073-1085) - Pope

• King Henry IV: (1056-1106)

King of Holy Roman Empire

The Church and Politics

• How did the church influence politics?” Best example: – “Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Lay Investiture: Lay (non-church) leaders [kings] wanted to appoint clergy (church) leaders [bishops]

“Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Pope Gregory VII bans lay investiture (meaning on he could appoint bishops) – King Henry IV of Holy Roman Empire does not want to give up this power

“Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Gregory VII threatens to excommunicate Henry. Henry tried to “depose” the pope (take him out of office)

• Pope tells Henry’s vassals they no longer have to listen to him

• Henry’s lords rebel & defeat him at Canossa (1077)

“Lay Investiture” Controversy (1074-1122)

• Ends with Concordat of Worms (1122)– Emperor lost the right to appoint bishops while

retaining the right to grant them land and secular political power

• Long Term Results: – Political destabilization in central Europe until

1870’s – Germany and Italy not unified, unlike France

and England

Height of Medieval Papal Power

• Innocent III (1198-1216) – Goal: unite all of Christendom under papal

rule to able to bring right order to the world– How? Crusades against heretics and to the

Middle East

• SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics.

• c. Explain the role of the church in medieval society.

The Role of the Church

• Christians throughout Western Europe recognized the Pope as the supreme spiritual leader.

• Pope could provide legitimacy to a leader:– ex. – crowning of Charlemagne

• In return, leaders provided military support– ex. - Donation of Pepin – Holy Roman Empire

will protect Rome

So… Secular leaders provided military strength

in exchange for

Recognition of Papal (i.e. God’s) support

Problems in Europe

• 9th and 10th centuries: Viking invasions leaves a power vacuum – the Church is the sole unified power throughout Europe

Problems in Europe

• Problems with the church:– Illiterate parish priests– Bishops appointed by kings – often immoral

Reforms in Europe

• Monasticism:– Tradition of Christians living outside the world

began in Egypt (hermits)– Gradually, monasteries developed.– Important…

• Monasteries: Cluny• Orders: Franciscans, Dominicans• Reformers: Francis of Assisi - (1182- 1226)

preached a life of total poverty, charity and good works, and love for all; became one of the largest and most powerful of the monastic orders

Reforms in Europe

• Inquisition:– Founded by Pope Gregory IX in 1232 to root

out heresy – became misused

• Popular Movements:– Albigensians: who rejected the leadership of

the Church and marriage, all forms of materialism, and cooperation with the state

– Waldensians: founded by Peter Waldo, who preached poverty, a strict moral life, and the use of the vernacular language

• SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics.

• d. Describe how increasing trade led to the growth of towns and cities.

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Agriculture increased

• Reasons: – End of invasions from Eastern Europe/Asia– Cultivation/clearing of new land– Spread of new techniques and technology

(crop rotation, metal plow, horse collar)– Use of wind and water mills to provide power

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

Increase in food

Population growth

Revival of trade, rise of towns

(remember, excess food usually leads to technological innovation)

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Revival of trade• Reasons:

– Surplus food allows for specialization– Crusades encourage trade from Italy to

Middle East/Constantinople• Cities like Pisa, Genoa, Milan and Venice take

lead• Europeans want luxury goods like spices, silks

– Stable government in Kievan Rus (Russia…remember?) allows for trade to N. Europe• Sea trade via Baltic Sea, rivers, Black Sea

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Revival of trade

• Results:– Rise of money economy in Europe (Why?)– Beginning of banking system

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Rise of cities

• Reasons:– Excess food supplies– Increased Trade

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Rise of cities

• Results:– Rise of a middle class

• Had no place in feudal system• Master artisans, merchants• Belief in individual initiative• Began to demand role in government

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Rise of cities

• Results:– Rise of Guilds

• Guild: “medieval business association of merchants or crafts workers”

• Purpose: control price, quality• Levels of skill: apprentice, journeyman, master

High Middle Ages in Europe: A.D. 1050-1300

• Rise of cities

• Results:– Freedom

• Outside feudal system, serfs could become free and advance in cities

• Money allowed large building projects and provided protection

Assignment• Create a study guide including the following:

– Crusades: Why do they matter?– Gregory VII– Henry IV (HRE)– Lay Investiture– Concordat of Worms– Relationship between church and politics– 2 Problems with the Medieval church– 3 Reforms of the Medieval church– How agriculture revived trade, which in turn led to

the rise of cities.