The Early

Middle Ages 7.1

Western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire

Germanic tribes carve up Europe into small kingdoms

Charlemagne unites much of Western Europe for a brief period

500-1000 (Medieval Period)Europe fell into political,

social and economic decline Politically divided, rural and largely cut off from advanced

civilizations Towns are emptied, waves of invaders, classical learning

ceases and trade slows to a trickle The Dark Ages of the Medieval Period (Latin for “middle age”) Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christendom traditions slowly

blend

Western Europe in Decline

486, Clovis, king of the Franks, conquers Gaul and creates the Merovingian Dynasty

Rules lands according to Frankish customs but retains much of Roman legacy

Converts to his wife’s religion (Clothilda was a Christian) after defeating an enemy in battle Gains powerful ally in the pope

Leaders of Church and Christian lands fear Muslim empire’s growth into Spain

Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

Charles Martel rallied warriors to

defeat Muslims at the Battle of Tours, 732, halting Islamic advance into Europe Sign that God is on their side Learns value of mounted warriors on

horseback (cavalry is born, ergo birth of Chivalry)

768, Charlemagne becomes king of the Franks and unites much of WesternEurope ( 768-814 CE )

Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

Christmas Day, 800 CE, Pope Leo III

crowns Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor

Significant b/c Christian pope crowned Germanic king successor to Roman Emperors

Revived Christian community which came to be called Christendom

Charlemagne helped spread Christianity to conquered peoples and appointspowerful nobles to rule local regions

Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

Sends out missi dominici to check on roads,

listen to grievances and see justice done Charlemagne uses education to unify kingdom

Revives Latin learning and encourages creation of local schools

Builds his court at Aachen and revives glory of Rome

Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms

After Charles’s death in 814 CE, his son Louis I

took over followed by Charlemagne’s grandsons

Treaty of Verdun, 843 CE, separates the Frankish Kingdom into 3 regions

Charlemagne’s Legacy Extended Christendom Set up strong, efficient governments

New Waves of Invasions ( map )

Europe After Charlemagne

Feudalism and the Manor Economy

7.2

*How did feudalism shape medieval society?*Describe the life of knights and nobles*How did the economic system of the manor work and affect peasants and nobles?

The Feudal Pyramid

King

Noble

Knights

Peasants

Serfs

Lord

Land and Protection

(fiefs)

Vassal

Loyalty and

service

Invasions from Vikings, Muslims and Magyars

forced people to seek protection Medieval society was a network of mutual

obligations Powerful local lords divided their landholdings

among lesser lords or vassals in return for loyalty and service

Feudalism

• Many people were both lord and vassal at the same time

• Many lords held multiple fiefs from various lords which made relationships complex at times

• Lord’s manors were meant to be self sufficient

• Only the lords children received a basic educated

• Peasants worked the land and also had to pay taxes in the form of products

• Serfs could only be free if they ran away the manor for a year and a day

Noble women played active roles

Became “lady of the manor” when husbands went off Some went to war to defend their lands Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) had a hand in French

politics Inheritance was most times passed

down through oldest son Some noblewomen had land as

their dowries Some were sent off to convents

Most were expected to run the manorial house

Cooking, cleaning, teaching children

Women’s Roles

The Medieval Church 7.3

*How the church shaped Medieval life*Monastic life and the influence of monks and nuns*How the power of the church grew during the Middle Ages *Describe the situation of Jews in Medieval Europe*The difference in the church’s architectural styles

At the center of every town and manor was

the church Priests celebrate the 7 sacraments and have

the most contact with the local population People believe that the sacraments will lead to

salvation Most peasants are illiterate so priests interpret

the Bible and teach through images Local priests guide on moral issues, feed the

needy and help the sick as well as run schools

Church dominates Life

Church Architecture

Romanesque churches

Small thick/heavy walls

Little windows Uses domes, arches

and vaults

Gothic Cathedrals Tall ceilings that

point to heaven/ shape of a cross

Stained glass windows

Flying buttresses

Benedictine Rule

Took 3 vows – obedience, poverty & chastity Worked in the fields

Developed new farming methods which helped improve the economy in the long run

Studied and served the poor Set up schools for learning, copied manuscripts from

Greco-Roman times . . . Kept learning/Latin alive Looked after poor and sick and set up lodging for

pilgrims

Monastic Life

Medieval popes claimed papal supremacy over secular

rulers Most clergy were highly educated and acted as advisors

to kings Noblemen usually wound up as high clergy Many had their own lands that were

added to the church’s land Power of Excommunication

And Interdiction Truce of God where clergy tried to force nobles into peace

Growth of the Church

Pope

Cardinals

Bishops

ArchbishopsClergy – priests,

monks, nuns and lay people

Economic Recovery

Sparks Change 7.4

New Technologies spark agricultural revolution Revival of trade revolutionized commerce and

led to growth of towns Rise of Middle Class and role of the guilds Life in Medieval Towns and Cities