European Middle Ages500-1200
Chapter 13
Vocabulary I Middle Ages: Era in Europe that followed the fall of the
Roman Empire, lasted 500-1500. aka Medieval Period Franks: Germanic People who settled in France Feudalism: Political System, Nobles are granted lands
that belong to the King, in exchange for their loyalty, military service and protection of the people who live on the land.
Monastery: Religious group of monks. Given up possession for devotion to God.
Secular: Separation from church/religion and state/government
Vocabulary II Lord: A person who controlled land and could
grant estates to vassals Fief: An Estate granted to a vassal Vassal: A person granted land (Upper class) Knight: Warrior who followed Chivalry/protected
people Serf: A person who is bound to the land and owned
by the feudal lord Manor: A Lord’s estate Tithe: Payment of 1/10th of income to Church
Vocabulary III Chivalry: Code of Behavior for Knights, stressed
courage, loyalty and religion Clergy: Religious officials who perform “rituals” Sacrament: Christian ceremonies in which God’s
grace is transmitted to people Canon Law: Catholic religious laws Holy Roman Empire: An empire established Europe
in the 10th century. Mainly in Germany and Italy.
Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
Chapter 13:1
Lasting Effects of the Middle Ages1. Preserved the ideas of Rome
(government, society)
2. Prolonging the Roman Catholic Church
3. Preserving the customs of the various Germanic (European) tribes
Invasions of Western Europe: Fall of The Roman Empire
1. Disruption of Trade1. Trade/culture diffusion became scarce
2. Downfall of Cities1. Cities no longer the epicenter of life/government
3. Population Shifts to the Country Side1. Lack of leadership in cities, independent farming lifestyle
4. Decline of Learning1. Germanic Invaders were illiterate (Oral Traditions)2. lack of learning in the country side
5. Loss of Common Language1. Germanic Lang. mixed with Latin (French, Spanish)
Germanic Kingdoms Emerge
400-600 A.D. small Germanic Kingdoms arise• Constantly at war with each other over land
The Catholic Church provided stability and order (unified in their religion)
Changes in Government• Emphasis on families/clans instead of central government and laws• Germanic Chiefs led warriors (lived with him)
Clovis Rules the Franks• Brought Christianity to Franks (Constantine)• Supported by the R.C.C. (Why?)
Germans Adopt Christianity
Franks converted thousands of people• More Catholics, more power to Rome • Spreading via Missionaries• Strength in numbers
Monasteries, Convents and Manuscripts• Built in rural outposts• Benedict and Scholastica Books/rules for Monks/Nuns
Papal Power Grows under Gregory I• Ruled outside of religion. Now Influenced Global Politics• Ruled all of Roman Europe• Church used taxes: armies, roads, poor
The Preservers of Education in Europe
ST. BENEDICT SCHOLASTICA
An Empire Evolves Franks control the largest empire post Roman
Empire Charles Martel Stopped the Muslim Expansion
into Europe (Christian Hero) Martel’s Son is “Pepin the Short”
• Works with the Pope• Establishes the Carolingian Dynasty 751-987 A.D.• Two sons: Carloman and Charles (Charlemagne:
Charles the Great)
Charlemagne Becomes Emperor Uniting Western Europe
• Fought Muslims and Germanic Tribes• United for the 1st time since…..Rome• Larger than the Byzantine Empire (Largest in Europe)
Crowned Holy Roman Empire• Put down mobs against Pope Leo III• Joined Germanic Kings, The Church and the heritage of
the Roman Empire
Charlemagne
Charlemagne Limited the power of Nobles
Visited every part of his kingdom
Encouraged Education
Opened schools (wealthy)
Died 814, Louis the Pious (Bad Ruler) • Lothair, Charles the Bald, Louis the German• Treaty of Verdun• Divided kingdom into 3 areas
Division of Frankish Empire
Main Ideas1. What were three roots of medieval culture in
Western Europe?
2. What are three ways that civilizations in western Europe declined the Roman Empire fall?
3. What was the most important achievement of Pope Gregory I?
Feudalism In EuropeChapter 13:2
Feudalism in EuropeNew Invasions Trouble Western Europe
Vikings: Raiders, Traders, and ExplorersCame from Scandinavia, also called Northmen or
NorsemenRaided Western Europe, Russia and Constantinople from
800-1000Explored areas west of the Atlantic such as Greenland,
Iceland, and North AmericaSkilled Traders/MerchantsShips enabled Vikings to sail/row up stream (3 ft)Constant warfare; people look in other directions for
protection
Vikings
Muslims and Magyars Attack From the East and the South
Muslims (Moors)Muslim armies conquered
Southern Spain, and three major Italian islands
Magyars (Nomads)Attacked in Eastern EuropeExcellent Horsemen Controlled the Danube
River to Northern Italy
Feudalism Structures Society
A New Social Order Invasions destroyed any central authority, people looked
to anyone who could provide them protectionPower based on relationships between a lord and a vassal
System: King, Vassals (Nobles), Knights, Serfs/peasants
Social Classes are Well DefinedSerfs could not lawfully leave the land on which they
workedSocial class was inheritedBonded to land but were not slavesLabor/products belonged to the lord
Feudalism Evolves Social Classes Are Well Defined
Status determined perception of power/prestige Three Groups of People
Fighters: Nobles and KnightsPrayers: ClergyWorkers: Peasants and Serfs
Could not leave place they were born Bond to the land Could not be bought and sold Labor produced belonged to the land
Manorial System: The Economic Side Feudalism
Manor was the lords estate and basic economic system Set of Rights and Obligations between Lords and Serfs Lord Provided
Housing Farmland Protection
Serfs Provided Maintained the Lord’s land/animals
Rarely traveled 25 miles from home (Fredonia) Lord’s house, church, workshops, 15-30 families, mills, streams Self-Sufficient Communities
Raised of produced everything needed (dairy, clothing, lumber, produce) Outside purchases: Iron and salt
Source: http://www.asmilan.org/teachers/kwheatley/maps/a_medieval_manor.jpg
Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism
A Self-Contained WorldA Manor was the lord’s estate Serfs worked the lord’s fields and performed other
tasks in return for protectionSerfs stayed on the same manor their whole lives
The Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants owed the lord three days labor and had to pay a percentage of their grain
Serfs owed village priest a tithe, or 10% of incomeAvoiding taxes was a crimeWeddings only with the Lord’s consent1 Room cottages
Dirt floors, Pigs, small fire35 years old Illness and malnutritionGod determined a person’s place in society
The Age of ChivalryChapter 13:3
Knights: Warriors on Horseback
Leather saddles/stirrups (Asia 200 B.C.)Heavier weapons, more stable on horseQuick and swift on the battlefield
Feudal Lords raised armies to protect their lands (Knights)Given Fiefs (Land) for their services 40 days of war (preparing for battle)
Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry
Set of rules and expectations Barely defend everyone Devote life to Lord and God Loyal, Brave and
Courageous Training: (7-Page, 14-Squire,
21-Knight) Poetry idolized Knights
life/Castles/LoveThe Song of Roland
Women’s Role in Feudal Society
Noblewomen Could own Property “Cushy Life”
Peasant Women Endless Labor High Mortality Rate
The Power of the ChurchChapter 13:4
The Far-Reaching Authority of the Church
Weak governments/kingdoms in Europe
“There are two powers by which this world is chiefly ruled….”
“Two Symbolic Swords:” Religious and Political
Shaped the life of all people in all social classes
The Church Religion As A Unifying
Force Feudalism/Manorial
System created class divisions
Religion bonded people together
Sense of security, belonging and community
Salvation= Heaven Sacraments
The Law Of The Church Authority was political and
religious Canon Law unified
spirituality and applied to all classes (Marriages/Sacraments)
Excommunication/Interdict Used fear!!
The Church Wields PowerThe Scope of Church Authority
Religion as a Unifying Force
Most everybody in Europe was a member of the same Church
All people had an equal chance at salvation
Pope
Bishops
PriestsClergy
The Church and the Holy Roman Empire
Otto The Great (Otto I) strong alliance with the Church
Built power by allying himself with the Clergy
Invaded Italy on the Pope’s behalf (Emperor)
Holy Roman Empire
The Church and the Holy Roman Empire
Church Wields Religious and Political PowerPope Gregory VII banned lay investiture, the process where
kings appointed church officialsExcommunicated
Concordat of Worms1122: Only Pope could appoint church officials, emperor had
veto power
Disorder In The EmpireThe Reign of Fredrick I
Attacked the surrounding Italian areas
Lombard League Italian foot
soldiers/crossbow defeated the German Knights
German States Remain Separate
Alliance with the Church led to wars with neighbors
Weaker and weaker rulers
Eventually collapsed
** Main Points**Church was the dominant power in Europe
during the Middle AgesAs time passes, emperors and kings struggle to
weaken Church authority and gain power for themselves