Saturn and Jupiter last connected in the air element between 1186 and 1404. As always this was a time of power struggles, social upheavals, religious conflict , war, territorial expansion and economic and environmental crisis.
The Feudal system dominated this period. It structured society with kings, nobles, knights and peasants. This system created extreme class divides, and this ultimately led to tension between peasants and the landed nobility. This led to resistance from the peasants. Kings wanted to centralise power, and the nobles resisted losing their autonomy. The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 by King John of England and a group of rebellious barons who were frustrated with his rule and excessive taxation and military failures. The important elements of this agreement set limits on the powers of the monarchy and the King’s ability to impose taxes without seeking consent from the barons. This was an early step towards parliamentary governance. In addition, it contained clauses protecting the privileges and unlawful imprisonment of barons. It also confirmed that the Church of England would be free from royal interference. It called for the restitution of property seized by the king from the barons. Over time, this agreement became more than just a fight for the rights of the barons. It became a powerful symbol of liberty and justice in the development of constitutional and individual rights. Its lasting impact was the assertion that the monarchy was not above the law.
During this period there were many religious wars with Christians wanting to control the Holy Land and oppose Muslim powers. There were also power struggles between Church and State.
The growth of trade in urban towns across Europe also weakened the Feudal system. This gave rise to the middle class.
The Mongol invasions in the 13th Century reshaped Eastern Europe and Asia. This period reshaped Kievan Rus leading to the rise of Moscow as a central power which later led to the unification of Russian lands. This fragmentation led to the distinct regional identities particularly in modern day Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. The Mongol period was brutal in terms of conquest but also facilitated exchange between east and west. The Mongols imposed heavy taxes which led to resentment among the population.
The Black Death (1347 to 1351) decimated one third of Europe’s population which caused massive social upheaval and created huge labour shortages. This led peasants to demand higher wages and better working conditions, ultimately weakening the feudal system. Widespread famines led to the demographic collapse and economic disruptions which drove demand for social change.
