The Middle The Middle AgesAges

Latin Christendom/Latin Christendom/

Medieval WestMedieval West

•From “Rome” to Medieval From “Rome” to Medieval EuropeEurope– Fall of Rome – invasion of Fall of Rome – invasion of Germanic tribesGermanic tribes•““Roman” society replaced by Roman” society replaced by Germanic cultureGermanic culture

•Small Germanic kingdoms developed Small Germanic kingdoms developed and grew into larger and more and grew into larger and more powerful kingdomspowerful kingdoms

•Creation of a new medieval EuropeCreation of a new medieval Europe– ChristianChristian - Feudal - Feudal– Monarchies - Agriculture-basedMonarchies - Agriculture-based

• Medieval MindMedieval Mind– Providential - faith over reasonProvidential - faith over reason

– Theology over scienceTheology over science

– Life deterministic -goal of reaching Life deterministic -goal of reaching heavenheaven spiritual, superstitiousspiritual, superstitious

– Life as pilgrimage to afterlifeLife as pilgrimage to afterlife

– Arts are theocentric - painting, Arts are theocentric - painting, sculpture, cathedrals all influenced sculpture, cathedrals all influenced by religion by religion

• Political SituationPolitical Situation– Fall of Rome in West = Germanic Fall of Rome in West = Germanic

invasions—instabilityinvasions—instability

– Many tribes & tribal kingdoms Many tribes & tribal kingdoms each only lasting a short timeeach only lasting a short time

– Decline of central govt., town life, Decline of central govt., town life, commerce & learningcommerce & learning

– Germanic tribes not able to Germanic tribes not able to continue "Rome"continue "Rome"

• Germanic influenceGermanic influence– Culture - tribal Culture - tribal

• no cities or written literatureno cities or written literature (oral culture)(oral culture)• primitive intellectual & artistic achievementsprimitive intellectual & artistic achievements

– Loyalty - not to impersonal state, but to Loyalty - not to impersonal state, but to chieftain & kinchieftain & kin

– Kingdom - land seen as personal Kingdom - land seen as personal property of kingproperty of king

– Division of spoils - land, etc. to nobles Division of spoils - land, etc. to nobles => feudalism comes out of this=> feudalism comes out of this

– Strong Aristocracy - no bureaucracyStrong Aristocracy - no bureaucracy

– Law - common law (unwritten) Law - common law (unwritten) • (began getting Roman law concepts)(began getting Roman law concepts)• trial by ordeal: water testtrial by ordeal: water test hot hot

coalscoals

– Urban decay - no real cities; Church Urban decay - no real cities; Church presencepresence

– Cultural poverty - except for the Cultural poverty - except for the Church Church • Transmission of culture not creationTransmission of culture not creation• Bridge between classical civilization & Bridge between classical civilization &

Christian civilizationChristian civilization

• Church as unifying forceChurch as unifying force– While empire declining Church power While empire declining Church power

growinggrowing

– Set up administrative system in absence of Set up administrative system in absence of emperoremperor• Church fathers/leaders - popes & monksChurch fathers/leaders - popes & monks• Replaced power of emperorsReplaced power of emperors• Bishops – Bishops – seessees located in major cities of located in major cities of diocesesdioceses

– Membership in a universal church replaced Membership in a universal church replaced membership in universal empiremembership in universal empire

– Latin used throughout Western ChristendomLatin used throughout Western Christendom

• Church as unifying forceChurch as unifying force– Papacy Papacy

• Pope recognized as important authority Pope recognized as important authority figure throughout Europefigure throughout Europe

• Shift of power from Roman Emperor to Shift of power from Roman Emperor to Roman PopeRoman Pope

• Gregory I (the Great) (590-604)Gregory I (the Great) (590-604)– efficient (Roman) administrator of papal lands efficient (Roman) administrator of papal lands

& money& money – extended his authority outside Italy extended his authority outside Italy

strengthened papal power - all bishops and the strengthened papal power - all bishops and the Byzantine church subject to papal authority Byzantine church subject to papal authority

– looked to alliances to control the Lombards--looked to alliances to control the Lombards--FranksFranks

– MonasteriesMonasteries (Religious & Practical (Religious & Practical Importance)Importance)• Continued Latin learning & Greek learningContinued Latin learning & Greek learning • Especially Irish monasteries => copied Especially Irish monasteries => copied

manuscripts Biblical analysismanuscripts Biblical analysis

– MonasteriesMonasteries (Religious & Practical (Religious & Practical Importance)Importance)• Irish monks and nuns spread influence to continentIrish monks and nuns spread influence to continent• Beginning to create a unified Christian EuropeBeginning to create a unified Christian Europe• Acted as advisors to rulersActed as advisors to rulers• Farming techniques Farming techniques - better drainage techniques- better drainage techniques

– New plowNew plow - more & better land available - more & better land available– Horse collarHorse collar

• Social work – provided Social work – provided charity for the poorcharity for the poor

• Protected by popes because seen as warriors for Protected by popes because seen as warriors for the faiththe faith

• Early Germanic KingdomsEarly Germanic Kingdoms• MonarchiesMonarchies• Controlled by powerful familiesControlled by powerful families• Christian or would become ChristianChristian or would become Christian

– Franks (France, Belgium, Holland)Franks (France, Belgium, Holland)• Clovis (481-511) (Merovingian Family)Clovis (481-511) (Merovingian Family)

– Conquered all of the Frankish tribes to become sole Conquered all of the Frankish tribes to become sole kingking

– Converted to Christianity through his wife’s Converted to Christianity through his wife’s influenceinfluence

» Put him in good standing with the PopePut him in good standing with the Pope» Needed the pope’s help Needed the pope’s help

• Kingdom divided among 4 sons of ClovisKingdom divided among 4 sons of Clovis– Constant fighting against each other weakened the Constant fighting against each other weakened the

kingdomkingdom– Power fell into hands of the “mayors of the palace”Power fell into hands of the “mayors of the palace”

•Pepin II (687-714)Pepin II (687-714) – Triumphed over other mayors to become Triumphed over other mayors to become

sole mayorsole mayor– Founded the Carolingian Dynasty (family Founded the Carolingian Dynasty (family

power)power)

•Charles Martel (717-741) (still mayor)Charles Martel (717-741) (still mayor)– Called “The Hammer”Called “The Hammer”– Able to defeat the Muslims at the Battle of Able to defeat the Muslims at the Battle of

Tours (732)Tours (732)– Won the support of Frankish noblesWon the support of Frankish nobles– Won the support of the ChurchWon the support of the Church

•Pepin the Short (741-751/751-768)Pepin the Short (741-751/751-768)– Overthrew last Merovingian kingOverthrew last Merovingian king– Crowned by the pope as king of the FranksCrowned by the pope as king of the Franks– Donation of Pepin (land given to Pope Donation of Pepin (land given to Pope

Stephen)Stephen)

•Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (768-Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (768-814)814)

– Expanded Frankish kingdom (Lombard area, Expanded Frankish kingdom (Lombard area, Bavaria, Saxony, northeast Spain)Bavaria, Saxony, northeast Spain)

– Created an efficient administrationCreated an efficient administration» all males swear an oath of loyalty to himall males swear an oath of loyalty to him » 250 counties administered by loyal 250 counties administered by loyal

nobles (counts)nobles (counts)land in exchange for land in exchange for

loyaltyloyalty» Royal capital city with messengers Royal capital city with messengers

appointed to keep an eye on the nobles appointed to keep an eye on the nobles and report back to Charlemagneand report back to Charlemagne

– Relationship with the ChurchRelationship with the Church» Helped the pope – so pope crowned him Helped the pope – so pope crowned him

King of the Romans in 800King of the Romans in 800» Beginning of Holy Roman EmpireBeginning of Holy Roman Empire» Helped to spread Christianity while he Helped to spread Christianity while he

enhanced his own powerenhanced his own power

•Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (768-814)Charlemagne (Charles the Great) (768-814) – Breakup of his empireBreakup of his empire

» 806 divided his kingdom among his 3 sons806 divided his kingdom among his 3 sons» 814 died – kingdom taken over by only 814 died – kingdom taken over by only

surviving son – Louis the Pioussurviving son – Louis the Pious» Louis had to deal with rebellious noblesLouis had to deal with rebellious nobles

Died in 840 – fighting over who would ruleDied in 840 – fighting over who would rule» Treaty of Verdun (843)Treaty of Verdun (843)

Louis the German (eastern area – Germany)Louis the German (eastern area – Germany)

Charles the Bald (western part – France)Charles the Bald (western part – France)

Lothair (middle part – source of conflict)Lothair (middle part – source of conflict)

» Decentralization opened the area to Decentralization opened the area to invasioninvasion

Magyars, Arabs, Vikings, etc.Magyars, Arabs, Vikings, etc.

•Carolingian RenaissanceCarolingian Renaissance – Charlemagne couldn’t write, but he could Charlemagne couldn’t write, but he could

speak 3 languages & felt it was his duty to speak 3 languages & felt it was his duty to spread Christianityspread Christianity

– Encouraged the spread of education among Encouraged the spread of education among the clergythe clergy

– Sponsored important scholarsSponsored important scholars» Came to court to teach & train others to Came to court to teach & train others to

teachteach» Alcuin (735-804) – Anglo-Saxon monkAlcuin (735-804) – Anglo-Saxon monk

Director of the palace school created Director of the palace school created to trainto train

clergy and court clergy and court officialsofficials

Expanded schools & librariesExpanded schools & libraries

Imposed basic literacy standards on Imposed basic literacy standards on clergyclergy

– Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons• Angles & Saxons combined after they moved Angles & Saxons combined after they moved

into the British area & pushed the Celts futher into the British area & pushed the Celts futher North & WestNorth & West

• Collection of small kingdoms – no single powerCollection of small kingdoms – no single power

• Christianity – in 2 formsChristianity – in 2 forms– Irish Christianity vs. Roman ChristianityIrish Christianity vs. Roman Christianity– Eventually decided to accept Roman formEventually decided to accept Roman form– Ireland kept the Celtic form (introduced by Ireland kept the Celtic form (introduced by

St. Patrick)St. Patrick)– Created division between Britain & IrelandCreated division between Britain & Ireland

• Open to InvasionOpen to Invasion– 865 – Vikings begin invading (drawn by 865 – Vikings begin invading (drawn by

wealth of monasteries)wealth of monasteries)– 871 – King Alfred the Great (r. 871-899)871 – King Alfred the Great (r. 871-899)– Began to unify Britain into a single kingdomBegan to unify Britain into a single kingdom

– ItalyItaly•Germanic tribes had invaded & sacked Germanic tribes had invaded & sacked RomeRome

•Helped to cause the fall of the Roman Helped to cause the fall of the Roman EmpireEmpire

•Who would rule?Who would rule?– Theodoric (Ostrogoth) brought in by Theodoric (Ostrogoth) brought in by

Emperor in Constantinople to oust Odoacer Emperor in Constantinople to oust Odoacer and to become the ruler of Rome (493)and to become the ruler of Rome (493)

– Pope didn’t want a German ruling over the Pope didn’t want a German ruling over the ItaliansItalians

conflict w/ emperor in Eastconflict w/ emperor in East– Lombards (568) invaded and eventually took Lombards (568) invaded and eventually took

over Rome over Rome » Pope asked for help from Franks to get Pope asked for help from Franks to get

ride of the Lombardsride of the Lombards» Donation of PepinDonation of Pepin

•Late 8th century – Division of ItalyLate 8th century – Division of Italy– North was controlled by Franks North was controlled by Franks

(Charlemagne)(Charlemagne)– Center was controlled by the PopeCenter was controlled by the Pope– Naples & Sicily was controlled by the Naples & Sicily was controlled by the

ByzantinesByzantines

• Medieval SocietyMedieval Society– Basic divisionsBasic divisions

• Clergy – prayerClergy – prayer– Pope = cardinals = bishops = monks Pope = cardinals = bishops = monks

= priests = priests

• Lord/noble – ruler/warriorLord/noble – ruler/warrior– Major landownersMajor landowners

• Merchant/artisan – making & Merchant/artisan – making &

selling goodsselling goods• Peasant – farmingPeasant – farming

– Not slaves though permanently Not slaves though permanently

connected to the landconnected to the land

• Medieval SocietyMedieval Society•Women Women

– Subject to male authority though seen as Subject to male authority though seen as equal in Christequal in Christ

– Noble womenNoble women» 2 options – marriage or convent 2 options – marriage or convent

(become a nun)(become a nun)

marriage for family alliancesmarriage for family alliances

responsible for operations of the responsible for operations of the household/castlehousehold/castle

» Some education – reading & domestic Some education – reading & domestic skillsskills

– Peasant womenPeasant women» Wife – take care of household (children, Wife – take care of household (children,

food, clothing, care for animals, etc.)food, clothing, care for animals, etc.)» No educationNo education

• FeudalismFeudalism– Political & military system of elitesPolitical & military system of elites– Developed in response to collapse of central Developed in response to collapse of central

authority, invasions, decline of societyauthority, invasions, decline of society– Means of creating order & stabilityMeans of creating order & stability

– Powerful nobles controlled the best landPowerful nobles controlled the best land• Gave parts to lesser warriors (knights) as fiefsGave parts to lesser warriors (knights) as fiefs• In ceremony they declared their loyalty as vassals In ceremony they declared their loyalty as vassals

to the lordto the lord• Obligations of vassal/knight to lordObligations of vassal/knight to lord

– Military service >> sit as judge at Military service >> sit as judge at lord’slord’s

– Provide lodging to lordProvide lodging to lord courtcourt– Raise ransom if lord captured in battleRaise ransom if lord captured in battle– Gift when lord’s son or daughter got marriedGift when lord’s son or daughter got married

•Vassals then divided their land among Vassals then divided their land among the peasantsthe peasants

– Manual labor was demeaning to a knightManual labor was demeaning to a knight– Peasants worked the land & got food from Peasants worked the land & got food from

some of the landsome of the land– Peasants got protection from their lordPeasants got protection from their lord

•Oath of Loyalty – Code of ChivalryOath of Loyalty – Code of Chivalry– Based on honor & code of behaviorBased on honor & code of behavior– Fight bravely, demonstrate loyalty, treat Fight bravely, demonstrate loyalty, treat

other knights with respect and courtesyother knights with respect and courtesy– Protect the weak: women & childrenProtect the weak: women & children– Defend the ChurchDefend the Church

•Everyone has a duty to someone else.Everyone has a duty to someone else.

• ManorialismManorialism– Economic systemEconomic system– Developed in response to collapse of Developed in response to collapse of

central authority, invasions, decline of central authority, invasions, decline of societysociety

– Means of creating order & stabilityMeans of creating order & stability

– Peasants gave up freedom to large Peasants gave up freedom to large landowners in exchange for protectionlandowners in exchange for protection• Majority of people in Europe lived under this Majority of people in Europe lived under this

systemsystem• Made possible by improvements in land Made possible by improvements in land

cultivation/farmingcultivation/farming• Relationship between lord & peasantsRelationship between lord & peasants

– Lord owned the land (demesne) Lord owned the land (demesne) – Lived in manor houseLived in manor house

•Demesne worked by peasants (own portion Demesne worked by peasants (own portion as well as lord’s portion)as well as lord’s portion)

• In return peasant got farm & cottage, plus In return peasant got farm & cottage, plus common grazing area for animalscommon grazing area for animals

•Other duties done by peasantsOther duties done by peasants– Dig ditchesDig ditches - build fences- build fences– Gather firewoodGather firewood - repair roads & bridges- repair roads & bridges

•RestrictionsRestrictions– Bound to the land; had to have permission to Bound to the land; had to have permission to

leaveleave– Needed consent for you or children to marryNeeded consent for you or children to marry

•EntertainmentsEntertainments– Holy daysHoly days - festivals & fairs- festivals & fairs -market days-market days– Weddings, baptisms, funeralsWeddings, baptisms, funerals