The Late Middle Ages

A Period of Crisis

The late Middle Ages experienced a series of crises that laid the

foundation for the beginning of a

“renaissance” across Europe.

Four major areas of crisis Food crisis- decline in agricultural production in

some parts of Europe – poor harvests/ famine Crisis in the Roman Catholic Church- The

Church struggled to maintain its power and authority in Europe The Babylonian Captivity

Health crisis - the spread of the bubonic plague- Black Death

Political crisis - England and France fought over territory and political dominance on the continent The Hundred Years’ War

Agricultural Crisis Periods of severe weather Crop damage and poor harvests Famine in some areas of Europe Disease and epidemics – poor nutrition Depopulation in some regions Unstable trade and economic development

The Black Death Arrived in Italy in 1347 Quickly spread across Europe

(followed the traditional trade routes) Disease was transmitted by fleas (living on rats) Over 1/3 of Europe’s population died Many believed that the disease was caused by “bad”

air Some thought it was the wrath of God Others blamed the Jews

The Plague Doctor

Religious radicals- the flagellantssought to appease an “angry” God through self sacrifice physical acts of penance

Macabre art reflected a profound pessimism and preoccupation with death

Impact of the Black Death Labor shortages – fewer workers Decline in production – inflation- rise in prices New job opportunities for those who survived Feudalism began to decline as new social and

economic opportunities arose Growing Anti-Semitism – many blamed the Jews Pessimism and fatalism (macabre art)

The Hundred Years’ War 1337-1453

Conflict between England and France Struggle over territory in France

French confiscated the English holding of Aquitaine Dispute over who could lay claim to the French monarchy

English king claimed to be the rightful king of France The English had several early victories –

Agincourt

Joan of Arc led the French forces to victory and was later captured and accused of being a witch by the English- executed

England eventually lost the war and any claim to territory on the continent

The war created tremendous debt and political turmoil in France and England

Growth of nationalism

Joan of Arc

The Decline in the Power and Prestige of the Roman Catholic Church and Papacy

The Babylonian Captivity (1309-1376) Papacy was moved to Avignon, France

Came under the control of the French monarchy

Papacy was restored to Rome in 1377 by the reforming Pope Urban VI

The papal court at Avignon, France

Pope Urban VI returned the papacy to Rome.

The Great Schism 1378-1417 Conflicts in the Church continued Disunity and divisions caused many to

question Church authority Who was the rightful pope?

The division served to highlight the growing decline in the power and prestige of the Church

Early Church Reformers John Wycliffe, in England, challenged the

scriptural foundations of the pope’s temporal power

Wycliffe also argued that everyone should read the Bible for himself/herself Vernacular translations of the Bible emerged First English translation of the scriptures

John Wycliffe 1330-1384- Early English reformer

Wyclif- first English translation of Scripture

John Hus – Bohemian (Czech) political and religious reformer martyred in Prague.

The impact of the crises of the Late Middle Ages and the rise of the Renaissance New economic and social opportunities-

decline of feudalism Economic growth-

expansion of trade and business- banking Growth of the middle class Growing interest in expanding knowledge and

learning Greater willingness to challenge and question the

power and authority of the Church Anti-Semitism continued