Decline of the Middle Ages- Secular world thinks it was a good thing.
One limiting factor of monarchs was that they were not geographically contiguous states. Variety of customs, local laws, languages, institutions etc. There is a parallel in modern times- like the splintered Soviet Union (which was made of around 100 different ethnic groups). The United States today is mostly contiguous, but within society are potential divisions, particularly in the political arena. Consensus and conflict visions of history.
Another hinderance to royal power was feudalism. Some may now make payments instead of 40 days on horseback. people have loyalty to immediate lords, but high up diffuses Aristocracy still powerful on the local level. State does not have a monopoly on violence within his borders.
The cities were in many cases defensible. Cities built on hills, with walls around them.
The Decline:
A. Decline of the Papacy
Wars
Famine and Plague
Contraction of Europe
Psychology
By the 14th century, aspects of medieval life seemed to be falling apart. The church had held much togther, and began to have many of its own problems at this time. Kings and popes conflicted- In the 11th century Pope Gregory the 7th had conflict about who had power to choose people to office. Henry the 4th was allowed to choose bishops, but the pope gave token that officiated it. Later, the problem was more over taxation. What plums to pick? Probably the peasants weren’t a good bet, but the church was wealthy, and some kings began to tax the church, which had to that point had much land and were tax exempt. Two kings in particular wanted to tax the church to fight eachother. King Edwards the first of England and Philip the 4th of France in late 1200’s. The pope was Bonifice the 8th. In 1296 he said he would excommunicate kings that taxed the church and clergy that paid. Philip maintained his idea of sovereignty- he sent mercenaries to capture Bonifice- he died soon afterwards. Kings taxing clergy still, listening to pope less. The monarchs increase power. 6 years after Bonifice, Clement the 5th was told by Philip to move to Avignon. Clement went- 7 successive popes lead from Avignon- called Babylonian Captivity. 1377- Pope Gregory the 11th bring papacy back to Rome- England, roman empire- see the popes as ruling in the interests of france- bred distrust. Pope Gregory 11th died same year. People in Italy demand the pope be Italian, chaos, mobs. Hierarchy- cardinals- convene- Elect Urban II. But he was not tactful, alienated leadership. Cardinals claimed the election was made under duress and they excommunicated him. They chose Clement, the cousin of the french king. The Great SchismmWeakens religious faith of many Christians- 2 popes? serious dispute in the church. (1378-1415)
To wipe out- the Council of Constance- deposed Roman pope, ignored Avignon pope- 1417- Martin the 5th selected as the new pope in Roman. Another development to the decline of papacy- consiliar movement- more representation in church wanted- dem. wanted- representative gov;t. In 1439- Euginius- successfully made a reunion of the east and west churches. The union was short-lived, but took momentum away from the consiliarists.1460- condemned appeals to councils to address this issue were not allowed. The movement fades, but interjects the idea that leaders were responsible for their authority. Head of the church should serve, not create disaster.
Popular religious movements- common people. 2 in particular- Lollards in England- and Hussites in Bohemia.
Lollards influenced by prof from Oxford- John Wycliffe. Radical- 1320-1384- major spokesman for the rights of royalty against the intrusions of the papacy in secular matters. English kings have right to rule england. Ecclesiastical appointments and taxation should be business of the king. This angers the church- he said clergy should live lives as Christ- no accumulation- content with food and clothing, not amassing wealth. Supports taking property from church- he is accused of heresy- he is laying some groundwork- questions papal infallibility- against indulgence- ?’s trans-substantiation.
Wycliffe tries to emphasize the authority of the scripture over the church- tried to spread translations of the Bible in the vernacular. The rub with Wycliffe and the Lollards is that they have the authority to judge what is right through Scriptures, not other men. The problem was when poorly common people decide things should be their way with their own authority- the movement went the wrong way. like the English Peasants revolt, using Wycliffe’s argument. Being a Lollard become a capital offense- heresy.
Hussites in Bohemia- not as easy to control because Bohemian gov’t was as central or strong- it headquartered at university of Prague- rector was John Hus. ? trans-substantiaton, the whole city put in papal intradict- no christian burial or sacraments- Hus is captured and burned at the stake in 1415. Within a decade- influence and reform effected. Weakening authority of church, planting seeds for reformation.
2ND reason for Decline- Wars
Late middle ages- 100 years war. 1337-1453. Feudal, economic, dynastic factos. English had holdings in France, wanted them back. English king was vassal to the french king. English found it intolerable. Economically- northern france- Flanders area- the region was increasingly under french control- it was the center of the flemish woolen industry- both wanted control. The immediate cause of conflict was over who should be on french throne- Capetian line- Philip the 6th of Vallois assumed throned. English said he was illegitimate- though English should be head of both- Edward the 3rd. His mother was the sister of the last Capetian king. The French nobility scoffed at that. The Loire River became a division- the french invade Bordiuex- naval battle in 1340 that England wins and gains control of the channel. So most fighting occurs in France. England had upper hand for 90 years. The reason they won was because French had no strategy. The English had good strategy and weapons. They used the longbow from the Welch. Shot steel-tipped arrows, 400 yards max range, effective at 250 yards.
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The Decline of the Middle Ages
Rise of the Renaissance
The English- new secret weapon- longbow, steel tipped arrows. English knights would dismount and await the charging frenchmen, but the longbows took out a lot.
Personal insult from monarchs- awareness of differences, national superiority. More have died in the idea of patriotism in 20th then in the other 19 centuries.
Joan of Arc- Dauphin- Charles VII. Raised siege of Orleans. 1429. Captured at Compiegne, burned at the stake in 1931. Impassions the french military and people. Nucleus of a permanent standing army. French began to utilize the cannon, to help fight longbow. English began to become demoralised. Nationalism and stronger royal power in France, England is exhausted- unrest i. parliament and amongst peasants. Legacy of 100 years war- 1453 (also the fall of Constantinople) France and England become early modern states, national identity, government institutions, courts, treasury officials, strong monarchy. French at first, then England- permanent standing army supported by taxation- not just loyalty to commanders. 25,000 men of French. War was just another reason for decline of middle ages.
Another reason- famine and plague. Particularly in N. Europe- price inflation- livestock, dairy products- all skyrocket. People subsisted on bread or porridge. Storms brought torrential rains to the region- crops mildew or rot. Ruined wheat, oat and hay crops. Europe- part. from 1315-1317- people are starving. 1316- Typhoid fever. 1318- Cattle and sheep disease. 1320’s- more famine, starvation, death. 1347- from the east- ship from Genoa brings through southern Italy- summer of 1348- disease introduced to England. 2 forms- bubonic and numonic forms. Vector ws black rat- fever, boils, black spots, violent coughing, spitting blood. Numonic from human to human contact- kills within 24 hours. 40-60% of European population affected.
Within a century- colonial exploration. Some historians say they purposefully introduced disease to native americans- genocide. But it was no big orchestrated event.
Contraction of Europe- the 100 years war had hindered woolen cloth industry in England. Expansion in europe- europe is less able to fight expansion efforts of the turks. Well into southeastern europe. Psychology- all roll together- war, famine, plagues, death. In some cases, family members or clergy stayed behind to help, even knowing they would get the plague. So the good clergy stay and die, more corrupt ones leave- doesn’t leave the church in the best position. Some people engaged in all debauchery (lest they die the next die). Some saw it as God’s judgment- whipped themselves for the sin- flagellents. 14th century- morbid concern of death. Dancing skeletons. 14th century- serious decline- leaves a vacuum.
The RENAISSANCE
A. Origins
B. New birth?
C. Problems of the Renaissance
1400-1550ish- Christianity was one of the few avenues holding knowledge at the time. Metaphysical art changes to more humanistic- people and landscapes (not creator). Began among educated people in Northern Italy. Saw dark ages as full of stagnation and ignorance. They believed they were participating in a reform- a renaissance- in the forms and values of classical antiquity (think Athens). Renewal of interest in classic literature. Renaissance people called middle ages the dark ages. Revival of learning is really just a revival of classical learning. The Renaissance is a term used by people of the Renaissance and today.
Scholars were no longer confined to medieval translations, began to read greek lit from the original greek. Latin standard language. People called themselves humanists. They re-introduced classical learning into mainstream. People become more literate. When they start to read the word for themselves… perhaps God uses this rise in humanities. Art changes, inspired by the classics, reappearance of tasteless nude paintings and sculptures. Forward-looking individuals. Not just looking backwards- pre-cursors of modern era- re-shaping society, extend boundaries of human knowledge. Leon Batista Alberte- “Men can do all things if they will.” The problem is that humans are, in fact, finite.
Extreme individualism- remarkable individuals but marked humility. Character- being content with who you are- no need to bring attention to yourself. Anti-thesis of modern culture, obsessed with attention.
