Early Middle Ages, Key People, Events, Feudalism Part 1

Part 1 - Early Middle Ages

Decline of Civilization Unifying hegemony (Influence of power and culture) of Rome is gone People flee cities due to neglect and invasions. Many move to the country to seek protection Roads and public works fall into disrepair and are not protected. Trade decreases Trade routes no longer controlled by RomeClassical learning is kept in the church. Language of the Church is in Latin which was not the language of the common person Once powerful uniting central Gov. of Rome is replaced with feudalism

Effects of the Fall of Romes Central Government

Middle Ages: The period between ancient times and modern times during A.D. 4761500

476 AD with the official fall of the Roman Empire marks the start of the Middle Ages

Medieval from the Latin Mid Avum meaning Middle Ages

Medieval refers to life and culture during the Middle Ages

Charlemagne 724 814 AD the grandson of Charles Martel briefly united Western Europe building an empire stretching across France and Germany

Vikings Expert sailors from Scandinavia who raided European river towns starting in the late 700sAfter winning a battle in 496, King Clovis, First King to convert to Christianity, established a Christian kingdom in Western Europe. It was one of many kingdoms that developed when Roman authority collapsed. Early Middle Age Figures

Charles Martel a Frankish leader who rallied warriors to push Muslims out of France and Western Europe in the. Battle of Tours 732 AD

What replaced the Roman Empire?When the unifying force of the Roman empire disappeared from Western Europe, Germanic kingdoms replaced it.Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian traditions blended during the Middle Ages.

Lots of fighting for power and landMany Germanic tribes conquered parts of the Roman empire. After converting to Christianity, Clovis earned the support of his subjects in Gaul and the pope in Rome.

Pope Leo 3rd in Rome, crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor Christmas day 800 AD

Charlemagne was a skilled leader who revived Latin learning and brought scholars to his court.Charlemagne, Martels grandson, briefly united Western Europe.Charlemagne Video

Muslim armies overran Christian lands and crossed into France.Charles Martel led Frankish warriors in the battle of Tours to push them back.

After Charlemagnes death 814 his empire was split up. His incompetent heirs faced waves of invasions from Vikings

Charlemagnes empire broke apart even more when the Vikings began attacking European coastal and river towns.These Scandinavian people were expert sailors.They opened trade routes linking northern Europe to the Mediterranean.Eventually Vikings become Christians

Feudalism in Western Europe

Feudalism provided was a localized political system of government based on mutual obligation.

Feudalism results in mixed loyalties and constant power struggles.

The Manor

Manoralism the economic system of Feudalism

The power and structure of the Church was hierarchal:

Constantine set up the church in the same way his government was.

Later the doctrine of Papal Supremacy put the power of the Pope above the King

The Roman Catholic Church was the Central Focus for Each Christian during Medieval LifePeople needed the Church throughout their lives (Birth to Death) in order to go to heavenSacraments: holy rites which had to be performed by bishops, priestsBaptism at birth :Bishop, priestEucharist Bishop or priestMarriage Bishop or PriestPenance (Confession) Bishop or priestAnointing of the Sick Bishop or priestLast Rites before death Bishop or Priest

End of Part 1

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