Untitled Lesson

The End of the Middle Ages:
The Crusades, Black Death,

and the 100 Years War

Lesson 4-6

The Crusades

Start of the Crusades

•The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by the
Christians of Europe in the Middle Ages in response to a call
from Pope Urban II.
•The main goal was to reclaim the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from
Muslim control so that Christians would have a safe pilgrimage
routes to Jerusalem and be able to control sites that were
important to their religion.

Role of the Church in the Crusades

•The Church held immense power in Roman Catholic regions
of Europe during the Middle Ages.

• It influenced daily life, politics, and education.
• Medieval Popes expected to command state governments to go to

war due to their spiritual authority and influence over the nobility.

• If a ruler or noble did not obey Church laws, popes could threaten

them with excommunication which could jeopardize their power
and influence.

•The Church encouraged the Crusades as a means to unify
Christians against a common enemy and enhance its
authority.

Response to the Call for Crusade

•Many people eagerly responded to the pope's call for the
Crusades:

• Nobles and knights saw it as a chance for glory, land, and wealth.
• Common people joined for various reasons, including religious

fervor and the promise of forgiveness for sins.

• Whole communities, inspired by sermons and propaganda,

participated in the Crusades.

• However, the Crusades often intensified animosity between

Christians and Muslims, leading to increased hostility and less
tolerance towards other religions in Europe.

Effects of the Crusades

•The Crusades resulted in a number of significant changes to
life, the economy, technology, social structure, government,
politics, and religion in the Middle Ages.
•Some of these changes will eventually contribute to the end of
the Middle Ages.

Significant changes caused by the
Crusades

• Development of new weapons

• Warfare innovations emerged, including crossbows and siege engines.

• Revival of Trade

• Increased contact with the East led to expanded trade routes and goods, such as spices and silk.

• Growth of Cities

• Towns grew as trade flourished, becoming centers of commerce and culture.

• Weakening of the Nobility

• Many nobles died in wars or lost power, leading to a shift in societal structure.

• End of Feudalism

• As many nobles became casualties of war in the Holy Lands, often resulting in their lands going back to the control

or ownership of their king.

• Increased Power of Kings

• Kings will be able to gain land and control as the lords and knights who made up the nobility were killed in the Holy

Land. This led to the rise of the nation-state.

• A nation-state is a country where the people share a common national or ethnic identity, culture, and government.

• Loss of Prestige (status, power) for the Pope

• The failure of the Crusades diminished the pope’s influence and status.

Black Death

What was the Black Death?

•The Black Death was a devastating pandemic that swept
through Europe in the 14th century. It was caused by the
bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is generally believed to have
been transmitted through fleas that lived on rats. This infection
led to severe illness and often resulted in death, marking one of
the deadliest periods in European history.

Why is the Black Death important in
European History?

•The significance of the Black Death lies in its profound impact
on European society. It caused millions of casualties,
dramatically reducing the population. This shift weakened the
feudal system, challenged the power of the nobility, and led to
social and economic changes that shaped the course of
European history.

Origins of Black Death

•The Black Death originated in Asia, particularly in regions of
China and Mongolia. It spread westward, crossing the
Mediterranean Sea through trade routes. The movement of
merchants and goods facilitated the spread of this deadly
disease.

• Merchants unknowingly carried the infected fleas and rats aboard their

ships as they traveled across the Mediterranean Sea.

•Black Death first arrived in Europe in the port city of Messina,
Sicily, in 1347. From there, it spread rapidly throughout the
continent, generally following trade routes.

Medieval Understanding of Black Death

•During the Middle Ages, people did not understand the true
causes of diseases like the Black Death. They lacked
knowledge of bacteria and germs.
•People thought the Black Death could be spread through
various means, including touching infected individuals,
breathing contaminated air, or even through witchcraft. These
misconceptions led to fear and confusion during the pandemic.

Life During Black Death

•People living during Black Death experienced a lot of fear and
uncertainty as the infection was generally incurable, making it a
death sentence they did not know how to avoid.
•As people did not know how to avoid it, this could make family
and friends nervous about seeing each other.
•In response to the devastation caused by the Black Death,
many regions implemented quarantine measures. Infected
individuals and their families were often isolated to prevent
further spread. Towns enforced strict regulations, and travel was
restricted to control the outbreak.

Effects of Black Death

•The effects of the Black Death were profound. Societies faced
enormous casualties, leading to labor shortages. The decline in
population shifted the balance of power, giving surviving
workers more leverage. This change contributed to the decline
of feudalism and the rise of a more modern economy.
•These changes played an important role in transitioning Europe
from the Medieval Period or Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

The Hundred Years War

Introduction to the 100 Years War

•The 100 Years War was a series of conflicts between England
and France from 1337 to 1453.

• It began due to territorial disputes and claims to the French throne.
• Key figures included King Edward III of England and King Philip VI of

France.

•The war began mainly because of:

• Disputes over land in France, particularly the Duchy of Aquitaine.
• Edward III claimed the French crown through his mother, Isabella,

which challenged Philip VI's rule.

War and Peace

•The 100 Years War was not a constant battle.
•It consisted of several phases, with periods of truce and peace.
•Major battles included Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt,
interspersed with times of negotiation.

Joan of Arc

•Joan of Arc was a peasant girl who became a French military
leader during the war.
•She claimed to have received visions from saints instructing her
to support Charles VII and drive the English out of France.
•Joan was significant for her role in boosting French morale and
leading to key victories, but she was captured and executed in
1431.

Outcome of the 100 Years War

•The war ultimately ended with the French victory in 1453,
solidifying their control over France.

The Magna Carta and the 100 Years War

•The Magna Carta, or Great Charter, was a document that
limited the power of the English kings.
•One important limitation was that in England, the king could not
enact taxes without approval from Parliament.

• This concept is known as the "power of the purse" because it gives tax

control to Parliament rather than the monarch.

100 Years War and the End of the Middle
Ages

•The 100 Years War contributed to the end of the Middle Ages by
fostering national identities and diminishing the power of feudal
lords, paving the way for the Renaissance and modern
nation-states.
•The 100 Years War changed the landscape of Europe,
influencing politics, society, and culture.
•It marked the decline of feudalism and the rise of
centralized monarchies, shaping the future of England and
France.

Conclusion

Conclusion

•The Crusades, Black Death, and the 100 Years War all
represent important events that occurred during the Middle
Ages.
•Each of these events also played a significant role in leading to
the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the
Renaissance.

• In particular, all three of these events will lead to large numbers of

people killed or wounded.

• The deaths caused by these events in particular will lead to the

weakening of the nobility, and the end of feudalism.