High Middle Ages
1050-1300 in Western Latin Christendom: Chapter 10


I. Western Christendom comes into its own

A. Reasons
1. End of invasions: settled political conditions.
2. Agricultural revolution.
3. Technological innovations: harnessing, heavy plow, crop rotation, (3-field system); wind and water mills, new crops.

B. Consequences: increase in wealth, population, health, growth of towns, beginning of rise of affluent cities in France, Germany, England, with new long distance trade that comes into being.

II. Political, Social and Economic foundations of Medieval Period.

A. Lord and Serf: Manorial System.

B. Feudal System creates network of independent relationships underpinning Latin Christian society.
1. What was a Manor? How did it work?
2. What was feudalism?
3. What was meant by Vassal and Lord?
4. See p. 299 for schematic diagram of a model Manor.

C. Changes in Aristocratic culture of nobility:
1. jousting.
2. courtly attitude toward women.
3. style of life, new comforts.

III. Urban Revolution

A. Cause: Revival of trade, local and long distance, overland and water borne.

B. Italy leads the way. Why?

C. What innovations accelerated rate of commerce?

IV. Rise of National Monarchies - or Decline in the case of Germany.

A. Germany and Italy:
1. Struggle between church and state.
2. Consequences: Henry IV vs. Pope Gregory VII.
3. Canossa, 1077: significance?
4. Frederick II's (1212-1250) policy's result?

V. France and the consolidation of monarchical power.

A. Hugh Capet founds a new lasting dynasty, the Capetian, around 1000 Ad (until about 1300 AD).

B. Capetian kings gradually assert control over landed nobels in struggle between central Gov't authority and local nobility see map p. 365) . Why were kings successful in France but not in Germany or Italy? Louis the Fat and Philip Augustus (1100-1125) significance of accomplishments.

C. Louis the Fat and Philip Augustus (1100-1125) significance of accomplishments.


VI. England and Spain

A. England
1. William and Norman conquest, 1066
2. Reforms of Henry I and II (12th century): struggle between Henry II and Becker: church vs. State power under king.
3. Magna Carta 1215.
a. In whose interests was this document?
b. In what way did it limit power of king?
4. Henry III, Edward I and establishment and growth of Parliament (1215-1300).

B. Spain
1. Reconquista: 1212 Battle of Navas de Toledo : Spain pushes back Muslims establishing monarchical power over reconquered regions. (Aragon and Castille)
2. Ferdinand and Isabella marry, unite their kingdoms into one power, 15th century.

C. Importance of historical Role of national monarchies in Western Europe.



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