Chp 9. - The Expansion of Europe in the High Middle Ages

THE EXPANSION OF EUROPE IN THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES, 900-1300

Kory RiemenspergerHST 101 – Prof. WilliamsChp. 9

PROLOGUE

Between 900 and 1300 Europe’s population began one of its longest periods of sustained growth. Introduction of new crops Increased agricultural efficiency Villages, towns, cities grow in number and in size

Re-emergence of centralizing monarchies in France, England, and Spain.

Western influence spreads – Where is “the West”?

ECONOMIC EXPANSIONIn how many different realms of life do you see signs of growth and innovation, of expansion?

THE GROWING POPULATION

Begins slow increase in Carolingian period. Total population of western Europe doubles

from 30 million in 1000 to 60 million in 1200. Life expectancy increases.

Near half reach 40 years old. Females at risk due to complications from

childbirth. Land use focuses on cultivation.

Forests, marshes and hills are made into fields for farmers.

TECHNOLOGICAL GAINS

Increased demand for food means Agricultural advancement comes first. Horses replace oxen Development of horse collar Plow redeveloped to cut deeper into soil Nitrogen-fixing crops Retarded soil exhaustion Fallow land / crop rotation

Transportation improved to facilitate trade. Highway laws passed against highwaymen Stone bridges to replace wooden ones Two-wheeled cart replaced by four-wheeled cart These improvements enable outlying cities to grow.

FORMS OF ENTERPRISE

Agricultural specialization common. North Germany – cattle raising North England – sheep raising Growth in trade ties cities and countries

together i.e. Lumber traded across Mediterranean to

wood-poor Muslim nations Lumber industry grows as demand

increases Forests essential to human life

THE ROLES OF CITIES AND TOWNS

European towns and cities grow in size and importance. Small villages develop nearby large cities

Cities become centers for many activities. Government rule extends onto surrounding lands Schools and universities are established

Towns establish themselves as focal points in trade. Guilds are established in urban areas.

Function: regulate standards of production, fix prices, control membership, establish community based on craft

Damaging impact on women, who were excluded

CHANGING ECONOMIC ATTITUDES

Gap between poor and rich is recognized. Towns establish plans for poor relief

Number of poor grow too rapidly; helping seems “hopeless”

Ethical concerns arise “just price” – price at which goods should be bought

and sold is discussed “usury” – lending of money at interest

Credit mechanisms spread in thirteenth century Put individual profit alongside community interest at

the heart of social and economic thought

THE HEIRS OF THE CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE: GERMANY, ITALY, AND FRANCE

What did Germany, Italy, and France owe to the Carolingian past? How alike and different were these areas by 1300?

GERMANY AND THE EMPIRE, 911 – 1272 German empire history of instability.

Treaty of Verdun in 843 creates East Frankish Kingdom in modern-day Germany

Last East Frankish Carolingian dies in 911, dukes choose Duke Henry of Saxony to rule.

Salians replace Saxons in 1024. Staufers replace Salians in 1138.

Saxon rule (use of force and strategic alliances) Push into the east, into Slavic Europe Attempts to control the church – Otto I crowned

emperor by the pope

GERMANY AND THE EMPIRE, 911 – 1272 Salian rule (weak rule, internal

struggle) Military expansion ceases, dukes fight each

other Newly reformed papacy of Pope Gregory

VII clashes with Henry IV on church appointments in 1070

Staufer rule (struggle to unite Germany) Frederick Barbarossa attempts to unite

Germany under himself Lombard League formed to combat

Barbarossa’s incursion into Northern Italy

GERMANY AND THE EMPIRE, 911 – 1272 Staufer rule (struggle to unite

Germany) Frederick II (r. 1212 – 1250) concedes

“Statute in Favor of the Princes,” trades power for acknowledgement of his overlord-ship.

Upon his death, central authority in Germany (and Italy) collapses, and German dukes turn to the Habsburgs

German political development impeded by short-lived dynasties, territorial complexity, and battles with the papacy.

THE INVESTITURE CONTROVERSY

How did Germany’s rulers regulate their relations with the church? Issue termed “lay investiture.” Refers to

the appointment of members of the clergy by laymen

Concordat of Worms concluded in 1122 between Henry V and Pope Calixtus II decides that elections should be free and conducted according to church law.

This dealt a major blow to the German political system

THE VARYING FORTUNES OF ITALY

The Communal Movement Obstructs German attempts to rule Northern Italy Communes are sworn associations of the local

nobility. High participation among members in government By 1140s every significant city in northern and

central Italy has a commune. Communes become violent due to Guild interests

by the late twelfth century. Introduction of podesta (city manager) attempts to

solve this problem.

THE VARYING FORTUNES OF ITALY

The Papal Monarchy – expansion of institutions Papal government expands and centralizes Use of coercive acts and prerogatives

Excommunication – form of social death Interdict forbids all religious services in a

certain territory to apply pressure on an individual

Inquisition – sworn testimony to discovery heresy

THE VARYING FORTUNES OF ITALY

The Fate of Southern Italy The area south of Rome contested by

Byzantines, North African Muslims and local potenteats

In 1026, Normans join the fight, endorsed by the papacy

The south remains fragmented, ruled over by different groups of foreigners