post roman empire political decline social decline economic decline dark ages middle ages 500...
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The Early Middle Ages 7.1
Western Europe in Decline
Post Roman Empire Political decline Social decline Economic decline
Dark Ages Middle Ages
500 AD to 1500 AD
The Franks
486, Clovis conquers Gaul
Clovis converted to Christianity
Gained allegiance of Christian Church in Rome
Importance?
Muslim Empires
Huge empire beginning to form Palestine to North Africa to present
day Spain
Battle of Tours
Muslim army crossed into France
Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors
Christians triumphed
Sign of God? Or Christian Savior?
Charlemagne
Grandson of Charles Martel
King of Franks Became known as
Charlemagne “Charles the Great” Further brings
Church and state together
Pope Leo III
800 AD, Christmas Day
The Pope proclaimed him Emperor. Why?
Revived “Christendom”
Future of power struggles.
Unified Christian Empire
“Christendom” Missi Dominici’s
“administer laws fully and justly in the case of the holy church”
Learning
Charlemagne held education in high regards
Stressed the revival of Latin Created local schools
Legacy
Blended Germanic, Roman, and Christian traditions
Strong and efficient governments
Treaty of Verdun
Eastern Roman Empire
Flourishing Eastern
emperor saw himself as the sole Roman ruler and religious leaders as well
New Invaders
Muslim forces Created a
stronghold in Sicily Magyars
Present day Hungary
Vikings
Scandinavian raiders
Traded and sailed around Scandinavia and Mediterranean
1000 AD set up colony in North America
Feudalism and the Manor Economy 7.2
Feudalism
The invasions of the Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars weakened emperor’s ability to maintain law and order
Result? Feudalism▪ Loosely organized system of rule in which
powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser lords▪ Lesser lords (vassals), pledged service and loyalty to
the greater lord
Mutual Obligations
Feudal contract Lord granted his
vassal a fief (estate / land)▪ Peasants to work the
land were included
Promises
Lord promised to protect his vassal Vassal pledged loyalty to his lord
40 days of military service pledged
Structured Society
Monarch Powerful Lords (Dukes and Counts) – Largest fiefs▪ Vassals▪ Vassals had vassals
Knights
Knights – Mounted warriors
Age of 7 Boy was slated to
be a Knight Difficult training Structured
discipline Tournaments a part
of life and training
Chivalry
Brave, loyal, and true to their word
Code of conduct developed by the Church to calm the knights down.
Code of Chivalry
To guard the honour of fellow knights To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit To keep faith At all times to speak the truth To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun To respect the honour of women Never to refuse a challenge from an equal Never to turn the back upon a foe
To fear God and maintain His Church To serve the liege lord in valour and faith To protect the weak and defenceless To give succour to widows and orphans To refrain from the wanton giving of offence To live by honour and for glory To despise pecuniary reward To fight for the welfare of all To obey those placed in authority To guard the honour of fellow knights
Manor System
The lord’s estate Peasants referred
to as serfs Farm land Repair roads,
bridges and fences Pay taxes Bound to the land Guaranteed food,
housing and land
The Medieval Church
Village Church
Social center Largest public
building Took great pride in
their church buildings
Tithe – Christians required to pay a tenth of their income
Role of the Parish Priest
Only contact people had with the church
Celebrated mass Administered
sacraments