Europe: 1294-1450

            Chapter 13: What type of crisis went on in Europe during 1294-1450? Explain and describe these dilemmas.
             "In the late years of the thirteenth century, Europeans seemed to run out of steam. The crusading movement gradually fizzed out"(McKay,Hill,etc 389). After the efforts of the Crusades began to slowly decline, many social, health, and economical problems arose in the midst of all this confusion. During this time many once highly powerful and authoritive members of the church, community, and royal society were being questioned and opposed by the common people. They began to lose the trust and loyalty of their subjects. Also, during this time, many new churches and cathedrals were left incomplete due to tension between the rulers common citizens. During the late Middle Ages four main dilemmas occurred which sparked a beginning of change in the world at that time, such as: the increasing numbers of challenges to religious authority, the massive plague known as The Black Death, the fiercesome struggle known as the Hundred Years" War, and the steady decline of participants in the religious activities of the community.
             "In 1294, King Edward I of England and Phillip the Fair of France declared war on each other."(McKay,Hill,etc. 389) In order to clothe, feed and transport soldiers to the battle field, the kings began to impose large fees and taxes upon all the churches of each country. In the beginning, Pope Boniface VIII (ruled 1294-1303) had opposed the taxes forced on the church. He later caved in and paid the fees that King Phillip had requisitioned mainly because the king had stopped all shipments of religious artifacts into France. In 1302 a letter was revealed stating that all Christians, including the king, were subjects of the Pope and that he was basically the earthly Supreme Being. Boniface was arrested for opposing the king and was placed in jail for a brief period of time.