The Middle Ages
Chapter 13 Section 2
The Middle Ages
The Big Idea
Christianity and social systems influenced life in Europe in the Middle Ages.
Main Ideas
• The Christian church influenced nearly every aspect of society in the Middle Ages.
• Complicated political and economic systems governed life in the Middle Ages.
• The period after 1000 was a time of great changes in medieval society.
Main Idea 1:The Christian church influenced nearly every
aspect of society in the Middle Ages.
The Middle Ages in Europe lasted from about 500 to about 1500.
The Middle Ages are also known as the medieval period.
Nearly everyone in Europe in the Middle Ages was Christian. Europeans felt tied together by their beliefs.
Almost no part of life in Europe was unaffected by the Christian church and its teachings.
The Church’s Roles
Politics
• Church leaders were also political leaders.
• The pope, the head of the church, was one of the most powerful people in Europe.
• The pope even had the power to start wars, such as the Crusades.
Daily Life
• People’s lives often centered around their local church.
• Markets, festivals, and ceremonies were held in churches.
• Priests advised people on how to live and kept written records for them.
Art
• Most art in the Middle Ages was influenced by the church.
• Art, literature, and music dealt with religious themes.
• A new style of architecture called Gothic architecture was used for large churches.
Feudal System
Manor System
• Political system based on exchange of land for military service• Nobles gave land to knights.• Knights promised to serve nobles loyally, especially in war.
• Economic system centered on large estates called manors• Nobles owned manors but needed workers. • Peasants and serfs lived on the manor and worked the fields.
In exchange for a place to live, they gave the noble most of the harvest.
Main Idea 2:Complicated political and economic systems
governed life in the Middle Ages.
Towns and Trade
• Not everyone in Europe lived on manors. Some lived in towns, which were usually small, dirty, and dark.
• Many people who lived in towns worked as traders.
• After the year 1000 trade increased dramatically.
• As trade grew, more people moved to cities. As cities became larger, they became centers of culture and wealth.
Main Idea 3:The period after 1000 was a time of great
changes in medieval society.
• Swept through Europe after 1347
• Killed up to a third of Europe’s population
Magna Carta
• Document signed by King John of England in 1215
• Stated that the king had to obey the law
• Considered an early step toward democracy
Black Death
• Fought between England and France
• French victory inspired kings to increase their power, leading to the creation of a nation-state.
Hundred Years’ War
