Europe’s High Middle Ages: Society and Economy
What Were the High Middle Ages?
The High Middle Ages were a period in European history from the 11th to the 13th centuries.
Main Features of the High Middle Ages
- Feudalism continued.
- Kings achieved more power.
- Agriculture progressed.
- Cities grew.
- The bourgeoisie arose.
- Gothic art emerged.
Most Important Countries in 11th-Century Europe
The most important countries in Europe in the late 11th century were the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire.
Countries on the Map on Page 109
France, Holy Roman Empire, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Kievan Rus’, Hungary, Bulgaria, Byzantine Empire, Papal States.
Key Political Changes in the High Middle Ages
Parliaments appeared, and kings achieved more power.
How Cities Helped Kings Consolidate Power
Cities gave the king economic support. In exchange, the king gave cities the right to self-government.
What Were Parliaments?
Parliaments were assemblies formed by representatives of the clergy, nobility, and cities.
Their origin was the Curia Regis.
Technological Innovations in Agriculture
Mouldboard plough, triennial crop rotation, horse collar, metal horseshoe, metal tools, and the water mill.
Growth of Cultivated Land
Forests were felled, wetlands were dried, polders were built, and new lands were colonized.
Consequences of Agricultural Changes
Agricultural production increased, and the population grew. Cities were revitalized, and trade was reactivated.
Why Was There an Urban Renaissance?
Because of the increase in agricultural production, the surplus encouraged trade.
Production: 7,000 kg (wheat)
Consumption: 2,000 kg. –
_________
SURPLUS: 5,000 Kg.
What Happened to the Old Roman Towns?
They were revived.
Where Did the New Towns Appear?
They appeared near castles and monasteries, at crossroads, and in coastal ports.
What Were Boroughs?
They were neighborhoods of craftsmen and merchants, which became cities.
What Was the Bourgeoisie?
It was a new social group that did not depend on working the land.
Aspect of Medieval Cities
They were small, their streets were narrow and dirty, and they were surrounded by a wall.
What Was a Communal Charter or Jurisdiction?
It was a document sanctioned by the king, which guaranteed self-government to the cities.
How Were Cities Governed?
Cities were governed by a communal council, directed by a mayor.
What Were Guilds?
They were associations of artisans of the same trade. They controlled production and protected their members.
Guild Organization
They were organized into the categories: Master, journeyman, apprentice.
What Was the Urban Patriciate?
It was a small, wealthy, leading social group who lived in cities.
Who Were the Commons?
They were the majority of the urban population. They were a non-leading group.
Women’s Roles in Cities
They shared the work of men and did jobs such as midwives, etc.
Origin of Universities
Universities appeared in the 12th century as guilds of teachers and students.
What Were the Crusades?
They were military expeditions in order to expel the Muslims from the Holy Land.
What Were the Military Orders?
They were military and religious militias formed by knights.
What Were Heresies?
They were beliefs that differed from the official doctrine of the Church.
What Was the Court of Inquisition?
It was a court that tried and judged those accused of heresy.
What Were the Mendicant Orders?
They were new religious orders that preached in cities and lived on alms.
Catastrophes in 14th-Century Europe
They were wars, the plague, and famine.
Most Devastating War in 14th-Century Europe
It was the Hundred Years’ War, between England and France.
What Was the Black Death?
It was a pandemic of bubonic plague. It occurred from 1348 to 1352.
Why Did Famine Take Place?
Because it rained a lot, seeds got rotten, and harvests were lost.
Impact of the Crisis
Population: The European population declined dramatically.
Economy: Agriculture, craftsmanship, and trade declined.
Society: Experienced an increase in conflicts.