High Middle Ages: feudalism, Church and Europe's rise (HIST 1214)

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HIST 1214

Week 11 D1

In-class assignment: The High Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages (5th-10th centuries) in western Europe is a period of time in which the region experienced political instability, limited trade, high death rates, and very little education. During the period called the High Middle Ages (11th-15th centuries), however, Western Europe changed and became politically positioned to be a dominant force in the world by the 16th century. Below are 3 aspects of western European society that contributed to its new political power by the end of the 15th century. Research and explain how each played a part in this transformation.

Political structure

1. How did the feudal system change during the High Middle Ages?

Europeans developed a combination of the feudal system with a return to centralized authority. Strong kings in England and France, strong emperors in the Holy Roman Empire

Western European society was poised to assert its influence around the globe and its population at that time wa supposed to be doubled.

The feudal societies of western European were seen as an estate system of stratification.

2. How did these changes contribute to western Europe’s political rise?

The European's power was very strong, they were autonomy in:

1. Control of the courts

2. Control of the taxation system

3. Established right of succession for sons

4. Effective bureaucracy

5. National feeling/loyalty of people

6. Strong armies

Religion

3. What major developments with the Church occurred during this period?

During the High Middle Ages, the church was considered the most powerful place in this time. The church experienced reform movements attacking clerical abuses, attempted to shape secular institution and culture in general and enjoyed growing devotion from the common people and also stirred passion for the Crusades that drew the Christian community closer together.

4. How did these events/changes contribute to western Europe’s political rise?

The church had the political & spiritual power. About monasticism, these events created the network and pilgrimage centers.

Economy

5. What were the features of the economy during this period and what transformations did it undergo?

The economic development from the late 900s and the manorial economy was most advanced (England, Northern France, Western Germany), serfdom began declining as a labor system in the 1200s.

Urban development provided the financial backing for monarchs and feudal lords in the form of taxes and customs, and new constituencies for commercial expansion.

The growth of agricultural economic

- More land.

- New crops and farming cycles.

- Increased beans cultivation, more domestic animals, ponds for fish.

6. How did these changes contribute to western Europe’s political rise?

- Brought stable political order.

- Tools and technologies improved agriculture/growth.

- Missionary efforts expanded Christianity to most of Europe.