Christian Societies Emerge in Europe600-1200

Early Medieval Europe 600-1000

• A time of insecurity– Politically fragmented kingdoms

(Excluding Charlemagne)– Viking Invasions– William the Conqueror (Battle of

Hastings)1066• A Self Sufficient Economy

– No Rome = Regional Elites– Medieval Diet = (North) Beer, lard, butter,

bread (South) wheat, wine, olive oil – Manorialism = Small landowners (serfs)

sell land to lords, provide services in exchange for protection

• Early Medieval Society– Feudalism = Political, economic, social

system where military service & land ownership ruled

– Vassals = People who are given a fief (land) in exchange for military service

– Knight= Honor code of chivalry (contract)

Politics and the Church

• Holy Roman Empire = loose confederation of German princes

• Struggle for Power– Investiture Controversy =

Secular rulers vs. popes on who should choose bishops

– Ex: Pope Gregory VII vs. Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV

• Monasticism = Devotion to religious life– Celibacy, devotion to prayer,

isolation from society– Centers of literacy, learning,

refuge, inns, orphanages = all self-sufficient

– Hard for Catholic Church & papacy to control

Western European Revival 1000-1200

• Population & Agricultural Production Increases– Resurgence of trade– Kings strengthen control– Technology = Heavy

moldboard plow and the horse collar

• Self-Governing Cities– Relied on manufacturing &

trade for income (Ex: Venice = Maritime Power)

• Use of Gold & Silver– Coins linked with increase

of trade– Originally Viking, Muslim

and Byzantine merchants

The Crusades 1095-1204

• Crusades = Series of Christian Military campaigns against Muslims– Causes = Religious zeal, vassal

participation in church-sanctioned warfare, desire for land, trade

– Four Total (Jerusalem captured in the first, lost in the third)

• Holy Land = Focus of the Crusades– Tradition of Pilgrimages, Muslim

control of Christian religious sites– Pope Urban II initiated 1st Crusade

1095

• Impact of the Crusades– Ended Europe’s intellectual isolation– Exposed to larger urban areas– Trade between the East & West

Increased (East not as eager)