The Early Middle Ages 7.1

Western Europe in Decline Post Roman Empire

Political decline Social decline Economic decline

Dark Ages Middle Ages

500 AD to 1500 AD

The Franks

486, Clovis conquers Gaul

Clovis converted to Christianity

Gained allegiance of Christian Church in Rome

Importance?

Muslim Empires

Huge empire beginning to form Palestine to North Africa to present

day Spain

Battle of Tours Muslim army

crossed into France

Charles Martel rallied Frankish warriors

Christians triumphed

Sign of God? Or Christian Savior?

Charlemagne

Grandson of Charles Martel

King of Franks Became known as

Charlemagne “Charles the Great” Further brings

Church and state together

Pope Leo III

800 AD, Christmas Day

The Pope proclaimed him Emperor. Why?

Revived “Christendom”

Future of power struggles.

Unified Christian Empire

“Christendom” Missi Dominici’s

“administer laws fully and justly in the case of the holy church”

Learning

Charlemagne held education in high regards

Stressed the revival of Latin Created local schools

Legacy Blended Germanic,

Roman, and Christian traditions

Strong and efficient governments

Treaty of Verdun

Eastern Roman Empire Flourishing Eastern

emperor saw himself as the sole Roman ruler and religious leaders as well

New Invaders

Muslim forces Created a

stronghold in Sicily Magyars

Present day Hungary

Vikings

Scandinavian raiders

Traded and sailed around Scandinavia and Mediterranean

1000 AD set up colony in North America

Feudalism and the Manor Economy 7.2

Feudalism

The invasions of the Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars weakened emperor’s ability to maintain law and order

Result? Feudalism▪ Loosely organized system of rule in which

powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser lords▪ Lesser lords (vassals), pledged service and loyalty to

the greater lord

Mutual Obligations

Feudal contract Lord granted his

vassal a fief (estate / land)▪ Peasants to work the

land were included

Promises

Lord promised to protect his vassal Vassal pledged loyalty to his lord

40 days of military service pledged

Structured Society

Monarch Powerful Lords (Dukes and Counts) – Largest fiefs▪ Vassals▪ Vassals had vassals

Knights

Knights – Mounted warriors

Age of 7 Boy was slated to

be a Knight Difficult training Structured

discipline Tournaments a part

of life and training

Chivalry

Brave, loyal, and true to their word

Code of conduct developed by the Church to calm the knights down.

Code of Chivalry To guard the honour of fellow knights To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit To keep faith At all times to speak the truth To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun To respect the honour of women Never to refuse a challenge from an equal Never to turn the back upon a foe

To fear God and maintain His Church To serve the liege lord in valour and faith To protect the weak and defenceless To give succour to widows and orphans To refrain from the wanton giving of offence To live by honour and for glory To despise pecuniary reward To fight for the welfare of all To obey those placed in authority To guard the honour of fellow knights

Manor System

The lord’s estate Peasants referred

to as serfs Farm land Repair roads,

bridges and fences Pay taxes Bound to the land Guaranteed food,

housing and land

The Medieval Church

Village Church

Social center Largest public

building Took great pride in

their church buildings

Tithe – Christians required to pay a tenth of their income

Role of the Parish Priest

Only contact people had with the church

Celebrated mass Administered

sacraments