intro to the dark and middle ages - mr. farshtey's...
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Intro to the Dark andMiddle Ages
Effects of the Fall of Rome Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.
Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.
Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes.
Kingdoms were always at war with one another.
People lost interest in learning.
Warfare increased. Trade decreased.The “Dark Ages” began.
The “Dark Ages” Historians call the period following the fall of
Rome the “Dark Ages.”
Formally, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages.
It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.
Disruption of Trade Merchants’ businesses were destroyed by
barbarians Unsafe to trade No Trade = No Cultural Diffusion
Downfall of Cities People retreat to countryside to evade
invaders
Lack of central government administration
More people live in rural areas than urban centers
Decline of Learning Germanic tribes were illiterate and had no written
language Illiteracy + Lack of Written Language = NO
VALUE ON EDUCATION
Loss of Common Language Germanic invaders did not speak Latin
Various dialects form from mixing Latin and Germanic languages By the 800s, French and Spanish had evolved
No Common Language = NO UNITY
Germanic-style Government Allegiance to family tribes as opposed to a
state No central authority; lack of an emperor No loyalty to a king; no “Hail Caesar”
The Rise of EuropeThe Early Middle Ages
During the early Middle Ages, Europe was a relatively backward region cut off from the advanced civilizations of Byzantium, the Middle East, China and India. Between 700 and 1000, Europe was battered by invaders. Slowly a new civilization would emerge that blended Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christian traditions.
Clovis and the Franks In 481 C.E. Clovis united the Franks and
became their king.
Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith.
Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices.
The Franks & Christianity The leader of the Franks,
Clovis, converted to Christianity to appease his wife and to repay God for a victory (similar to ____________________)
Rome supports Clovis & aids his military campaign to unite all Franks
The Franks & Christianity The Church builds monasteries to convert
German Monastery a religious community of men
(monks) who have given up their possessions to devote themselves to a life of prayer & worship
The Franks & Christianity Importance of monks
Opened schools & maintained libraries
Human printing press copied books; preserved aspects of Roman intellect
Gregory I Pope Gregory the
Great increases the power of the papacy by Becoming involved in
the secular world
Raising armies
Giving charity to the poor
Gregory believed the people of Europe were his responsibility
Charlemagne
Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire.
He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III.
He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “HolyRoman Emperor”.
During his reign, Charlemagne tried torecreate the Roman Empire. However,
after his death, the empire declined.
Legacy of Charlemagne (Holy Roman Empire)
Revival of Latin learning Extended Christian
civilization into northern Europe
Set up strong, efficient governments.
Began Holy Roman Empire. (Germany)
Could not repel further Viking and Magyar invasions.
The Rise of Feudalism While Charlemagne’s descendants were not
able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages.
Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.
Stabilizing Medieval Europe,700-1000
Stabilizing Medieval Europe New Economic order: Feudalism
Manorialism
The Role of the Catholic Church Regulating Marriage
Regulating Sexuality
Blessing Secular Rulers
Feudalism
Political System = Decentralized
Economic System = Agricultural
Social System = Hierarchical
Feudalism – What is it?
Has variously been described as: A political system / government
An economic system
A social system
A psychological state / mentalité
Feudalism
Medieval people would not haverecognized the term feudalism, but wouldhave talked about vassalage
Vassalage
Occurs between two free people, a lord and his vassal
Solidified by ceremonial swearing of oath of homage Vassal promises allegiance and military service to
lord In return lord grants land Initially the land was held conditionally
No service, no land
Typical Elements of Oath
One’s own name and the name of one’s lord
The fiefs, lands that will be held
Promise of allegiance and service
If one is a vassal of multiple lords- outline the order of loyalty
Typical Elements of theCeremony of Homage
Vassal approaches usually unarmed and kneels before his lord
Swears oath on Gospels, church altar or holy relics and in front of witnesses
Relationship is sealed with the kiss of peace
Complicated Loyalty
Vassals could and often did have multiple lords For this reason, oaths of loyalty could specify the
order of loyalty
Oaths of loyalty could also affect the actions of the seemingly extremely powerful i.e.: even kings were limited by their own oaths of
loyalty
Feudalism and Medieval Households
The Three Categories of Society: Those Who Work: Peasants or Serfs
Those Who Fight: Knights
Those Who Pray: Clergy & Religious
Patterns...
25-50 peasant families support one knight
90% of the population are peasants
Peasants owe 3 days/wk of service + fees to lord. Fees are required : to marry, to inherit
Knights owe 40 days/year service to lord to fight and must supply armaments, horses, etc.
Patterns... Farm output is about 10% of today’s
Midwestern farm.
Peasants (serfs, not slaves) are bound to land but have rights to the land
Manors are economic and military units, with fortifications for defense (a castle), may also be controlled by monastic order or church.
Medieval Manor
Evolved from Latifundiumand Need for Protection
Castle: Fortification
Manor House: Fortification + Wealth
Peasant House
Peasant House
Women Could and DidParticipate in Feudalism
Adela of Blois
Adela of Blois (ca 1060-1137)
Daughter of William the Conqueror
Husband sent on Crusade
Acted as feudal lord in his absence