The End of the Middle Ages

1. The End of the Middle Ages

2. Food Supply Begins to Expand • Climate began warming up around world • Opened new areas in north to farming • New ways to farm are created • Began using horses instead of oxen – faster • Invented a new collar harness for horse • Old one for oxen choked the horses • Began using the 3-field system • Split their fields into 3 areas vs. just 2 • Allowed them to farm 2/3 of land vs. just 1/2 • Increased farming led to more food • More food led to healthier people who lived longer • Living longer meant larger population • Larger pop. needs more food, more farms to grow More Farms More Food Longer Life More People

3. Trade and Finance Expand • Trade began expanding due to Crusades • Fairs- people from manors go to trade goods • Guilds- group of people doing the same job • Sort of like a union- helped to control wages • Towns grow with increased population • People begin specializing their work again • People need to borrow money for business • Had to buy products to be able to sell them • Christians not allowed to lend money • Usury- charging interest on loaned money • Jews able to- become the first lenders

4. The City is Reborn but Smaller • Populations of towns explodes quickly • Smaller than cities from past, but were full • People ran to towns to flee peasant/serf life • Considered free after a year and one day in town • Towns were crowded and unplanned • Streets were narrow, full of animals • No sewers, human waste dumped in streets • Town growth begins to ruin feudal system • Feudal lords still controlled lands • Rebellions were common against landlord • Do not like the high taxes when they are free

5. The Revival of Learning • Growth of farming, population and time leads to the revival of learning again • Universities are created • Was a group of people, not a building • People went to school to get better jobs • Went for 5-13 years; wanted government jobs • Scholars study ancient works at Muslim libraries • Translate works back to Latin • Writers begin using vernacular • Writing in the local dialect/language • Different because its not Latin • Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales (example)

6. The Formation of England • Around 800s Angles and Saxons settled on the island of Britain • Known as the “land of the Angles” • England becomes united in early 1000s • King dies in 1066 with no heir to throne • William the Conqueror claims it • Was the cousin of the dead king • Came from Normandy, France • Attack known as the Norman Conquest • William was not the only person to claim • Battle of Hastings- battle for England • William the Conqueror wins; takes all land

7. Leaders of England After William • William dies, Henry II takes over • Descendant of William the Conqueror • Marries Eleanor of Aquitaine (France) • Now held lands in France and England • She gave birth to 2 famous kings • Richard the Lion-Hearted and King John • Henry II institutes new system of law • Sent judges to handle cases, instituted the use of 12 man juries in England • Eventually created a body of laws • Became known as ‘common law’ • The basis for law in countries around the world today

8. The Children of Henry II • Richard would go fight in the Crusades • Would later die, power goes to John • King John was a terrible leader • Losses the kingdoms land in France • Constantly trying to raise taxes • Nobles revolt against him because of it • Nobles force him to sign the Magna Carta(1215) • Document guaranteed certain political rights • Rights applied to all people, limits king’s power • No tax without representation, a jury trail, protection of law • These now considered people’s basic rights • Later a parliament will be created in England • Gave equal representation to all areas (1295)

9. The Hundred Years War • War b/w England and France- 1337 - 1453 • Fought while the plague is spreading • French king dies with no heir, England claims it • England wins 3 major early battles • Win b/c longbowmen better than knights • Longbowmen can attack faster and further away • Knights were slow and needed to be close • Would end the age of the knight • Joan of Arc – teenage girl, savior of France • France had signed treaty to give up lands soon • Has visions she is to save France, and saves France • Joan later captured – given to England • England gives her to Church who puts her on trial • Found to be a witch; was burned by the Church • French king never tries to save her

10. Impacts of the Hundred Years War • French win the war, keep their lands • French king gains power and prestige • Country of France seen as stronger • English embarrassed by their loss • Strengthens the powers of parliament • Both countries grow stronger feelings of nationalism for their country • Love/respect for one’s country • Considered the end of the Middle Ages • Also the end of chivalry and religious devotion • Considered the end of the Age of Faith as well