Chapter 8 Middle Ages

After the Fall of Rome - 476

Europe – a frontier Little population Large underdeveloped areas Dense forests Great soil & resources from the sea Long rivers for trade routes

Germanic Tribes

Made up of farmers & herders No cities- lived in small communities No written laws – unwritten customs-

social conventions carried on by traditions

Ruled by elected warrior kings

Germanic Tribes 400-700

Carved up Europe in to small kingdoms The Franks were the strongest

FRANKISH KINGDOM

481 – Clovis becomes king of the Franks

He is ruthless & cunning Gained control of Gaul

(France) Converted to Christianity

along with his warriors- gains support of people & Roman Catholic Church

511 Clovis dies

Kingdom divided among his 4 sons- Do Nothing Kings (fight among themselves, hunt, drink etc.)

Real power became the Mayor of the Palace

Charles “the Hammer” Martel

622 – Muslims – followers of Islam- gained control of Spain started into France

732 – Battle of Tours – Charles “the Hammer” Martel – defeats the Muslims

Charles Martel

Starts the Carolingian Dynasty

751- Pepin the Short – son of Charles elected King of the Franks

He is approved (anointed) by the pope Close ties between Church &

Frankish kings Pope Stephen II asks for help

from Lombards – Papal States

Charlemagne – 768 to 814

Unites the empire that stretched from France to Germany to Italy Most of the old Western

Roman Empire

Greatest political figure for a 1,000 years

Charlemagne

Ruled for 46 years – most of it at war – 53 military campaigns

Becomes the “strong right arm of God”—those who would not convert put to the sword

12/25/800 – Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans – important unites Christian community in Western Europe

Charlemagne

Built a capital at Aachen Appointed powerful nobles to rule

regions of empire Missi dominici – spies Encouraged missionaries Encouraged church to educate clergy Encouraged education throughout

empire – appoints Alcuin to create a curriculum (Latin Education)

Charlemagne

Encouraged the payment of tithes to the Church—10%

Development of Carolingian minuscule

Charlemagne Legacy

814 – Charlemagne dies – son Louis the Pious takes over – ineffective ruler

Three sons will fight over land Treaty of Verdun - 843

Louis the German – Germany Charles the Bald – France Lothar – title emperor & land between

brothers

Invaders Move into Western Europe

The Muslims – late 800s conquered Sicily—Spanish Muslims known as Moors

Magyars – From Asia over ran eastern Europe - settled in Hungary

The Vikings (Swedes, Danes, Norwegians)

Came from Scandinavia Excellent sailors & fighters

Vikings

Traveled the rivers of Europe in their long boats (Dragon Ships)—20 tons used sails and oars—40 to 60 men and horses

Loot & burn cities from Ireland to Russia Leif Erikson – around 1000 sets up a colony

in North America—Greenland and Iceland Also traders – some settle in France,

England, & Ireland – become Christians

Age of Feudalism

Started in the 8th & 9th centuries Political system where kings & powerful

nobles grant land to lesser nobles called vassals – in return for loyalty, military assistance & services

Oldest son inherits the fief (land) - younger sons join church or become a knight for hire

Feudalism

Came about because no strong central government

Lords granted vassals a fief or estate Both lord & vassal had certain

obligations – Feudal Contract Lord – protection & justice Vassal – military service & financial

obligations

Feudal warfare

Knights – mounted warriors Trained from boyhood

Age 7 sent to his lord – learned to ride & fight – keep armor & weapons of knight in good condition

Teen years – squire – knights assistant

About 21 ready to become a knight

Feudal warfare

Most battles small ( few hundred to couple 1000 knights)

Hand to Hand combat typical few killed – captured & held for ransom

Complicated because a vassal could owe loyalty to more than one lord

Feudal warfare

As warfare decreased – Tournaments – mock battles to show off skills

Castles

Fortified homes of the lords surrounded by a moat

Castles

Castles unpleasant place to live

Siege of a Castle very bloody

Women in the age of Feudalism

Noblewomen – could inherit fief but couldn’t rule it

Marriage arranged – dowry provided by father—main cause of death for noblewomen was child birth

Main duty to raise family & supervise household

Girls learned practical skills – spinning etc..

Eleanor of Aquitaine

Married to 2 kings – Louis VII of France & Henry II of England

Mother to a king – Richard the Lion Hearted of England

Chivalry

11th century – code of conduct for a knight to follow Fight bravely for 3 masters – feudal lord,

heavenly lord, chosen lady Loyalty to your masters Fight fairly Protect & defend noblewomen True to your word

Chivalry

Noblewomen held in high regard

Troubadours helped to elevate women with poems and songs

Chivalry

Disgraced Knight Armor stripped off Shield cracked Sword broken over his head Spurs cut off Thrown into a coffin and dragged to a

church

GERMANIC JUSTICE

Germanic concept of family affected the way Germanic law treated the problem of crime and punishment

Example murder: crime against society while Germanic law made it personal

Could lead to blood feud—injured family sought revenge against the wrong-doer’s family

Savage acts of revenge—cutting off ears, noses, hands or feet, couching out eyes

Fine called wergeld (money for a man) developed to cut down on blood feuds—this was the amount paid by wrong-doer to family he or she injured or killed

GERMANIC LAW

Two common means of determining guilt: compurgation and ordeal

Compurgation was the swearing of an oath by the accused person, backed up by a group of 12 or 25 “oath-helpers” who would swear accused was truthful

Ordeal was a means of determining a person’s guilt based on the idea of divine intervention (divine forces would not allow and innocent person to be harmed)

Feudal Justice

Lords provided justice for both vassals & peasants 2 courts one for peasants – one for vassals

Each tried by his peers A bailiff presided over the manor court

Feudal Justice

Nobles – Trial by combat Peasants – Trial by ordeal

TRIAL BY FIRE

The defendant on trial must pick an object out from within flames, or walk over hot coals. If they were burned in the process, they were presumed guilty. In the Hindu version of the trial by fire, a woman suspected of adultery must stand in a circle of flame, or on top of a pyre, and not be burned. This was exemplified by the trial of Sita in the Ramayana, who was said to have not had a single flower petal in her hair be wilted by the heat of the flames, for she was so pure the flames avoided her.

TRIAL BY HOT IRON

A one-pound iron was heated in a fire, and pulled out during a ritual prayer. The defendant had to carry this iron the length of nine feet (as measured by the defendant’s own foot size). Their hands were then examined for burns. If the crime of the accused was particularly egregious, such as betrayal of one’s lord, or murder, the iron would be three pounds.

TRIAL BY WATER

The defendant was bound in the fetal position and thrown into a body of water. Contrary to popular belief, those that sank weren’t drowned but were hauled out of the water, and those that floated didn’t float because they could swim: If he or she floated, they were guilty, and if they sank, they were presumed innocent. This was the most common ordeal undergone in the New World, and was seen during the time of the Salem witch trials. A surprisingly high number of people were deemed “innocent” by this method, but it was largely the younger women and the men who were exonerated in these trials. Their lower body fat levels probably helped them sink down in the water.

TRIAL BY HOT WATER

The arm was plunged elbow-deep into hot water, often to grasp a ring, stone, or holy object at the bottom of a cauldron. After several days, if no blistering or peeling was present, the defendant was presumed innocent. Since it was not always boiling water that was used, this was one of the most easily-manipulated trials for the ordealists to work over.

TRIAL BY HOST

Relegated to priests accused of crimes, or suspected of lying regarding someone else’s crime (perjury). The priest would go before the altar and pray aloud that God would choke him if he were not telling the truth. He would then take The Host (the Holy Eucharist), and if he was guilty of perjury or the crime, he would either choke or have difficulty swallowing. This had a degree of psychosomatic truth behind it, if the priest truly believed in the trial, but it was one of the easiest of the “trial by ordeal” ceremonies to overcome by the defendant.

TRIAL BY DIVING

This trial, found in India, Thailand, Burma, and Borneo, involved a test of breath-holding, and was most often used in disputes of contested cock-fights. Two stakes were secured beneath the water of a clear pond, and both parties involved in the dispute would dive and grasp onto a stake. Whichever claimant stayed beneath the water longest was declared to have truth on his side.

TRIAL BY SNAKE

A cobra and a ring are placed in an earthenware pot, and the defendant is tasked with retrieving the ring from beneath the snake without being bitten. This trial was most commonly used when someone was accused of making a false accusation against another person, or lying to get another person punished (the equivalent of perjury in the Western court system).

MEDIEVAL TORTURE

Definition of Torture The definition of torture is the deliberate, systematic,

cruel and wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more torturers in an attempt to force another person to yield information, to make a confession, as part of a punishment or for any other reason. Torture devices or tools are used to inflict unbearable agony on a victim. The objectives of torture were to intimidate, deter, revenge or punish. Or as a tool or a method for the extraction of information or confessions.

MEDIEVAL TORTURE

Definition of Punishment The definition of punishment is to impose or

inflict something unpleasant or aversive on a person in response to disobedient or morally wrong behavior. Punishment means to impose a penalty for a wrong committed.

MEDIEVAL TORTURE

Medieval Torture Chambers and Dungeons

The torture chambers were located in the lower parts of castles. The entrances to many torture chambers were accessed through winding passages which served to muffle the agonizing cries of torture victims from the normal inhabitants of the castle. Torture chambers and dungeons were often very small some measured only eleven feet long by seven feet wide in which from ten to twenty prisoners were often incarcerated at the same time.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

The Wheel The Wheel or Breaking Wheel where the unfortunate

victim had his limbs systematically broken. Catherine wheel or breaking wheel, an instrument of execution often associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria and adopted as one of the European execution methods.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Quartering Quartering where the legs and arms were separately

tied to four horses and as each horse moved away the body would be torn to bits.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Hung, drawn and quartered One of the most terrible methods of execution ever invented and used

extensively in England as the punishment for traitors. The condemned was hanged till they were half dead, and then taken down, and quartered alive. After that, their members and bowels were cut from their bodies, and thrown into a fire, while they were still alive. They would finally be killed by decapitation.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Pressing Prisoners were crushed to death as heavy objects

were slowly loaded on top of their bodies.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Boiling to death Prisoners were boiled to death in a huge cauldron. This

punishment was often reserved for poisoners.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Decapitation Prisoners were sentenced to having their head struck off their body.

The axe was used for this purpose which resulted in the head often being roughly hacked off the victim, requiring several blows. When clemency was granted a sword was used which removed the head by one swift cut.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Burning Prisoners were chained to a stake surrounded by wood and

faggots which were set alight at the point of execution and the person suffered the agonizing pain of being burnt to death.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Hanging Prisoners were hung at the gibbet and died either by

breaking their necks or by choking to death.

MEDIEVAL EXECUTION METHODS

Impalement Impalement was frequently practiced in Asia and

Europe throughout the Middle Ages.

MEDIEVAL TORTURE DEVICES

Boot or Spanish boot Judas CradleStrappadoBrodequin Branding IronsThe CollarThe RackThumbscrewsThe Wheel

Foot pressFoot screwHeretic's forkWater TortureBrankThe CollarDrunkards CloakThe Iron MaidenPilloryThe Scavenger's daughterScold's bridleStocksDucking stools

Manorial System

New economic system - tied to feudalism – the manor

Included manor house (demesne), pastures, a mill, church, fields & a village of a few dozen 1 room huts

Large fiefs had several manors where bailiff managed smaller estates

Manorial System

Manors tried to be self-sufficient – produced everything they need except salt, iron or millstones

Serfs – peasants – tied to the land but not slaves

Paid the lord to farm the land – labor, crops, animals, eggs, etc.

Received housing, land & food

Medieval Church

After the fall of Rome – Christian church split into eastern & western churches (main issue was icons)

Western Church headed by pope – became known as Roman Catholic Church

Became very powerful force not only spiritual but also secular (worldly) force

Medieval Church

Pope claims power over all secular (worldly) rulers (monarchs)

Many high ranking church officials were also feudal lords

Church had absolute power over the religious life of Christians

Medieval Church

Church had its own laws – Canon law – as well as own courts

Anyone who refused to obey church law faced excommunication—could not receive the sacraments

Powerful nobles could face an interdict

Medieval Church

Local parish priests – held mass, cared for sick, aided poor etc.

Most were commoners Church served as social centers of

villages & towns

Medieval Church

Church taught that men & women equal before God but women on earth were inferior Weak & easily led to sin – Eve They must be modest & pure--Mary Women punished more severely for their

transgressions

Monasticism

Some men & women withdrew from worldly life

Men – monks & women – nuns lived in monasteries and convents headed by an abbot or an abbess

Monasticism

St. Benedict – established a monastery in Italy

Created a set of rules for monks to live by (Benedictine Rules) Vow of poverty Vow of chastity Obedience to abbot & word

of God Manual labor

Monasticism

Monasteries & convents provided basic social services to people Tending the sick Giving alms to the poor Setting up schools Lodging for travelers

Monasticism

Some monks & nuns risk their lives to spread the word of God St. Patrick – converted

Celtic of Ireland St. Augustine –

converted Angles & Saxons of England

St. Boniface – converted Germanic tribes

Church reform

Church power & wealth created serious problems Clergy living in wealth Married priests Church officials not doing their duty

Monastery at Cluny (France) under Abbot Berno – begins reform (Cluniac Reforms)– back to the rules & only truly devoted men

Monasticism

Monasteries were centers of learning Monks copied ancient works—could

copy 1 to 2 books a year Bede, an English scholar, wrote the first

history of England (introduced B.C. and A.D. to date historical events)

Church reform

Another Church problem – simony – buying & selling of Church offices

Pope Gregory VII outlawed simony and married priests

Insisted Church choose Church officials and not the nobles

Church reform

Friars – monks who spent their lives with the people not in monasteries

St. Francis of Assisi – Franciscans – teaching & preaching to the poor

St. Dominic – Dominicans – educating people about Church doctrine and combat heresy

Both begging orders-- mendicant

Other Missionaries

Ulfilas—preached to Gothic people—invented the Gothic alphabet—translated Bible into Gothic language

Female religious orders included the Beguines—this women set up hospitals and shelters and ministered to the poor

Jews in Europe

Christians persecuted the Jews – blamed for the death of Jesus

Blamed for diseases, famines and economic hardships – (many were moneylenders-usury-charging interest on money borrowed)

Laid the foundations for anti-Semitism (hatred and persecution of Jews)

Agricultural Revolution

Single family farms became the basic unit of agricultural production

New plow – iron or steel—horseshoe Used horses (collar harness) not oxen –

faster—stirrup helped riders stay on horse

Windmill – powered grinding mills Three-field system – crop rotation =

more food= population increase

Trade in the Middle ages

As warfare decreased – trade increased—weakened Feudalism

Wool will be the main product in the beginning

Trade fairs – feudal lords could make money on taxing goods sold plus provided protection & money changers

Trade in the Middle ages

Trade grew soon not only wool Furs from Russia Weapons, armor, & horses from eastern

Mediterranean Trade fair became big events = spread

of customs, ideas, & technology Hanseatic League – 80 towns in

Northern Germany—formed for trade & protection--had a huge fleet of ships

Growth of Towns & cities

Merchants began to stay year round at fairs – artisans moved in and towns & cities grew up there

Peasants sold food to towns people & bought products

Most early towns on nobles’ land – paid rent

Growth of Towns & cities

Townspeople ask for charters Guaranteed rights Limited control over own affairs Own courts Freedom for serfs who stayed in town for 1

year & a day Lord can’t seize the land

Growth of Towns & cities

Caused the creation of middle class – wealth rather than hereditary titles or land ownership determined a persons social status

Church instituted the “Peace of God” which prohibited fighting from Friday to Sunday

New Business Practices

Set up to meet needs of changing economy

Merchants formed partnerships, developed system of insurance and used bill of exchange (early checks)

Guilds

Association of merchants & artisans that governed a town

First were merchant guilds that governed prices & wages quality, hours worked, gave money to needy members

They had a monopoly only member could work in that town

Guilds

Began to restrict membership & regulated training Apprentice – boys 7 -8 years old no

wages but room & board spent 7 to 12 years there

Journeyman – earned wages by working for a master craftsmen. Submitted sample of work to Guild to become a master

Town Life

Surrounded by defensive wall Narrow streets closely packed houses No sanitation system – waste tossed out the

window – dog & pigs scavenged for garbage

Town Life

Dangers included fires, thieves & pickpockets, epidemics

Main attraction – ability to make money = rise up in society