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The Middle Ages500 – 1400
The Dark Ages
Dark Ages, the early medieval period of western European history. Specifically, the term refers to the time (476–800) when there was no Roman (or Holy Roman) emperor in the West; or, more generally, to the period between about 500 and 1000, which was marked by frequent warfare and a virtual disappearance of urban life. It is now rarely used by historians because of the value judgment it implies. Though sometimes taken to derive its meaning from the fact that little was then known about the period, the term’s more usual and pejorative sense is of a period of intellectual darkness and barbarity.
Charlemagne Government
Expands the Frankish kingdom and unitesWestern Europe
Crowned Holy Roman Emperor
Divides Empire into counties headed by a count
Charlemagne Spreads Christianity
Spread by force or through education
Education Promoted learning to educate clergy
and government officialsSchools were for nobles’ children taught by
monksScholars produced readable Bibles
Feudalism A social and political system that
developed after Rome fell Alliances between vassals based on
ownership of land Characteristics: loyalty, service,
protection, and power structure Kings/lords/nobles give land to lesser
nobles They become his vassals Vassals swore an oath of loyalty, fought
battles acted as the lord’s advisors
Warfare Knights were from the noble class Training
› Age seven “page” learned manners, weaponry
› Age twelve “squire” cared for horse, weapons, and armor
› Tried in battle to become a knightFights between lords and vassals for power and landPeasants suffer hardships. The church steps in to help them.
Feudal Justice
The accused would be brought before the lord for trial
Trial by battle, Trial by compurgation or oath taking
Trial by ordeal Example: Hot iron or boiling water
The Manor System The manor system is an economic
systembased on agriculture.
Manors were large estates that included farms and fields
Grew their own food and made everything they needed. “ Self sufficient”
The Manor System
Lord holds 1/3 of landPeasants work 2/3 of land. They could not leave the land without permissionNobles lived in castles built on hills for defenseMarriage was seen as a way to advance fortunes
The Revival of Trade
Why did trade return to Europe?
The Crusades made Italy the center of trade
Ships would carry soldiers to the Holy Land and return with goods from Asia and the Middle East
Major trade centers were Kiev and Flanders –woolen cloth, fur, hemp. silk , spices and sugar
A Need to Protect Trade
Hanseatic League - German cities joined together to control and protect trade.
Trade fairs developed as a place to buy and sell goods
News and ideas were exchanged
Where did they make things?
Goods were manufactured in homes
This was known as the domestic system
The beginning of Banks
People needed a place to exchange currencies
Banks began to loan money Gave out bills of exchange (like checks)
There is money to invest in new ideas
Investing The beginnings of capitalism People began to invest capital in order
to make profits To raise money people began to form
partnerships Investors created a market economy All land. Labor and capital were
controlled by private individuals
Towns begin to grow
Growth of towns Towns won self government (no longer
under the control of a manor lord) A lord granted a charter that listed
their rights
Towns
People living in towns had 4 basic rights
Freedom given after 1 year and 1 day Exemption: a person did not have to
work on the manors ( serve the lord) Town justice – they had their own
courts Commercial privileges: free trade
Guilds
Merchant guilds provided trade protection
Only locals who paid fees could trade Craft guilds set rules for wages, hours,
and working conditions Craft guilds set rules for training of
skilled workers Merchants and master workers formed
the new middle class
The Black Death
People’s faith in God was shaken The Church lost some of its power and
importance Workers could demand higher wages
because the plague killed so many workers
What changes took place because of the renewal of trade?
New wealth and a middle class Trade organizations New ways of doing business Banking Investing Growth of towns The spread of disease