Greatest Frankish king (768-814) restores order

His rule will end the dark ages- creates “Carolingian Renaissance”

Gave people confidence- full of energy. Excellent warrior- rebuilt cities and schools- tried to regain knowledge (monastaries)

Charlemagne had one son- Louis the Pius- not a great leader- so his sons (Charlemagne’s grandsons) force him to give up the kingdom

Empire divided into three pieces (old Frankish tradition- will cause huge problems- and start primogeniture)› Charles the bald (FR) Louis the German (GR)

Lothair (HRE)› Civil war over who got “best” part- “king”

loses power- local nobles gain it. HRE will continue to exist for 600 years- but never be as powerful again

800 Charlemagne goes to Italy to help Pope fight Lombards.

Christmas Day- Pope rewards Charlemagne crowning him “Holy Roman Emperor”- saying that he has restored the glory of Rome- and that his power comes from God. (through pope)

Charlemagne continues to conquer new land- spreading feudalism and order across northern Europe.

Invasions had never really stopped- but Charlemagne’s strength had kept them away from his territory.

800s- 1000(ish) 3 new sets of invaders start to arrive- and they bring new problems› Moors- Muslims out of north Africa. They want

land eventually take over Spain.› Magyars- From the east- old school invaders

sack/plunder- they want $$$. Can be paid off.

The ones to worry about- most scary of all invaders- ever.

From the North (Scandinavia) expert seamen- used the sea to attack- and leave.

Famous for killing EVERYONE- no mercy, no negotiation- so ½ the battle was the fear.(valhalla)

Culture very different from Europe (pagan, clan culture) very upsetting

Explorers/adventurers- would colonize new world 500 years before Columbus

Three Parts of SocietyFeudal system. Your place in the world was concrete- you did one of three things

› Nobility (including king) and Knights. In charge of Safety- therefore the government

› Had power and privilege-castles and armor-supposed to use it to protect others

› Inherited position. Wealthy .Educated in fighting- and the law. Code of behavior (Chivalry)

Peasants (farmers, merchants, craftsmen) Work and lifestyle vary widely across Europe- and by what you did- some comfortable- others miserable.

Tough lives: Work from birth until death (at 40!) Education almost unheard of- so we know the least about them

Serfs- lowest group in society- tied to the land. Virtually slaves

The Clergy- the Catholic church. Christianity is the glue holding society

together- the one thing everyone has in common.

Medieval people believed church was the only path into heaven- clergy had HUGE power

Preserved knowledge- only group that was literate. They kept the records

Only group you can “join”- the only real option if you want a different life from the one you were born to.

King Nobles Nobles

Knights Knights Peasants Peasants Peasants

Peasants

The land in the Feudal system All the land belongs to the king

(kingdoms change size frequently). King gives land to nobles (Duke, Baron, Count, Lord) who defend land with their knights (warriors).

In order to get the fief- you must swear Fealty (loyalty) and pay Homage (honor) every year ($$ )

Oath of Fealty By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I

will to be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and despise all which he despises, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever, with thought or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will punish me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.

II: It is right that those who offer to us unbroken fealty should be protected by our aid. And since such a faithful one of ours, by the favor of God, coming here in our castle with his arms, has seen fit to swear trust and fidelity to us in our hand, therefore we decree and command by the present precept that for the future such be counted with the number of vassals.

The person who GETS the fief. (having sworn fealty)

Nobles who get land must swear to protect all who live there (build castle, pay knights)

All who live there then owe Fealty and Homage to the noble (must work for the noble- and/or pay a percentage of their crop) Serfs come with the land

Feudalism is hereditary- Primogeniture- all land and title goes to oldest son

The purpose of feudalism was protection. Castle main defense- run inside and hide! But if

that doesn’t work- call the knights. Knights were the warriors- Not like Greece and

Rome (where everyone fought)- knights had special training (started in childhood), advanced weapons.

To be a knight you needed› Noble birth/training Jousts- practice fights› Horse became popular › Armor entertainment

Castles- the first line of defenseMotte and Bailey Castles