Decentralized• Economically (manorialism)
and politically (feudalism)
• Loss of classical traditions & culture
• Little travel, trade and exchange
Feudalism (from Latin for grant of land)
• System of obligations and allegiances based on military service that serves as decentralized government
Lords & Vassals
• lord responsible for
• granting the fief
• providing leadership
• providing justice
• providing protection against other powers
Vassal’s duties:
• homage: formal act of submission to lord.
• fealty: sworn pledge of loyalty to uphold interests of lord.
• suit to court: requirement to convene at lord's residence to conduct business and to decide military, judicial and political matters.
• military service
• aids: material or financial assistance due to lord when required at certain times. These were not regular taxes.
Medieval Church
• Institution that survived imperial collapse
• Hierarchical – pope-------
• Growth in power - took on characteristics of a government:
–Laws - canon
–Taxes - tithe
–courts -
–All under pope (growing power)
• Conflicts between growing power of kings & growing power of church
• Church Courts & clerical immunity–Henry II vs. Pope -- England
– Thomas Becket
• Lay investiture–Henry IV vs. Pope -- HRE
– going to Canova
• Secular clergy – dealt with the outside world
• Pope – cardinals – archbishop – bishop
• Priests
• Monasticism – purpose?
• Regular clergy – secluded; lived “regulated” life - monks & nuns
• Benedictine rule: poverty, chastity & obedience
Germanic tribes try to create order
• Franks -
–Clovis unifies the Frankish tribes
–Clovis adopts Christianity
–Charles Martel - halts Muslim advance in France (Battle of Tours)
– Charles the Great - Charlemagne • Introduces a feudal structure;
• Angles & Saxons
–Invade Roman Britain
–Small principalities/ kingdoms
–Attacks by Vikings (Danes)
–Alfred the Great• Becomes “high King” to defeat the Danes
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