Medieval Medieval EuropeEurope

(500 – 1500)(500 – 1500)

The Middle Ages or Medieval Europe is the

1,000 year period after the fall of Rome and before the

Renaissance.

I. Geography:A. Europe is on the western end of Eurasia.

B. Natural Resources:

• Dense forests• Fertile soil• Rich minerals• Seas

Fall of Rome

Dark Ages in W. Europe

Tribal Warfare

Money is not used

Greek & Roman learning forgotten

No central gov’t

Literacy declined

A. Farmers and herders1. No written laws 2. Created small

kingdoms

Not these Franks!

B. The Franks- most powerful in Gaul (France)

1. Clovis

• 1st King of the Franks

• Allied (supported) with the Roman Catholic Church

2. The Battle of Tours- In 732 CE, the Franks defeated the

Muslims in Spain.

DON’T WRITE THIS

This could have changed European history! Christians did not want Islam to spread into Europe, even though they learned science and math from Arab Muslims.

C. Charlemagne (Charles the Great)

1. 800 CE- king of the Franks

2. Pope Leo III named him Roman Emperor

3. Legacy• Blended and spread Christian,

Roman and German culture• Efficient gov’t (bureaucracy)

• Set up schools

Curriculums, or formal courses of study, included reading, grammar, math, music, and astronomy.

Don’t write this!

Peace Out, Charlemagne!

When Charlemagne died in 814, his empire fell apart as his heirs fought over it.

Don’t write this!

4. The Treaty of Verdun divided the empire.

5. This became the Holy Roman Empire.

Feudal Hierarchy

Draw this in your notes! (the best you can)

Feudalism- A political system that exchanges land

for military service.

DON’T WRITE THIS!–Lords gradually became

more powerful than kings as they acquired more land.

King or lord

Was required to give a

fief (land)

Vassal Was required to

give

loyalty & military service

I. Feudalism (Political)

II. Social• Kings and Lords were at the top of

the social hierarchy.

• Knights- mounted warriors–Chivalry- code of conduct for knights –be brave, loyal, polite

• By the 1100’s, fighting declined so lords held tournaments (fake battles) to entertain people.

• Serfs- peasants who worked the lord’s land –They couldn’t leave without permission

–They paid for the lord’s protection in food and labor (no $$).

DON’T WRITE THIS!• Role of Women

– Noblewomen managed the household and were in change when men were away.

– Rights:• Received a limited inheritance• Arranged marriages, expected to have many

kids• Few knew how to read and write• Chivalry raised women to a new status. They

were protected and cherished.

III. EconomicManorialism-

an economy where land, not money, is the basis of wealth

Manor- the lord’s estate including the town, peasant houses, church, and fields- It was self-sufficient, which slowed trade

• Three-field system- two fields planted, one left fallow fallow (empty) to regain fertility

Europe was isolated BUT, there were advanced civilizations in the Middle East, South Asia, and China!