The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

PowerPoint #1

The Middle Ages

Three time periodsEarly Middle Ages 476-1000The High Middle Ages 1000 – 1300The Late Middle Ages 1300 - 1450

The Early Middle Ages

Began with the fall of the Roman Empire The Roman Empire had ruled much of

Europe for 500 years – barbarians controlled the rest of the continent

After the fall life was dangerous and difficultPeople had to work hard to have

enough to eatNeeded to protect themselves from

invaders

Feudalism

Many invading groups set up kingdoms and were often at war with one another

Resulted from the difficult living situations in Europe

Political system where people pledge their loyalty to a lord

Clovis

Franks were a powerful group that eventually took over a large part of Europe

Fought with knights in armor on horseback

Clovis was one of the first leaders

Was a successful warrior Became king of the Franks at age 15

in 481 Ruled for 30 years Widened the boundaries of the

Frankish kingdom

Clovis and Christianity

Married Clotilda a Catholic woman Was baptized in to the Roman

Catholic Church Many people also became Catholic

Charlemagne

Most important Frankish leader Ruled from 768 to 814 Was 6’4” tall (tall for the time) – stately

and dignified Could not read or could read very little Had scholarly works read to him

Encouraged education – made his court a center of culture

Rewarded knights with land and privileges

Unified nearly all the Christian lands of Europe

Was called “King Father of Europe”

Pope Leo III and Charlemagne

Charlemagne had the help of Pope Leo III Church was central part of society The blessing of the Church sent the

message to the people “God is on my side” Leo needed the support of someone with an

army Pope crowned Charlemagne the Holy

Roman Emperor in 800

Empire survived many barbarian attacks

Charlemagne died in 814 Empire fell apart Weak rulers could not hold off

invaders

Ninth and tenth Centuries

Western Europe was threatened by three groupsMuslims from the middle east and

northern AfricaMagyars – a central Asian people

from the eastVikings swept down from present day

Norway and Denmark

Vikings

Terrifying raids on towns and villages Came in shallow boats carrying

swords and axes Killed and took prisoners People of western Europe needed a

way to defend and protect themselves

Monarchs

Believed in the divine right of kings the idea that God had given them the right to rule

Some had to work hard to keep control

Most did not have enough money to keep their own army

In early middle ages the nobles or lords grew very powerful and governed as independent

Monarch was little more than a figurehead and had no real power

English Monarchs

Monarchs were quite strong in England during the Middle Ages

Vikings had invaded and settled in England

By mid 11th century, this area was ruled by a powerful Germanic group called the Saxons

The king was a descendant of both the Saxon and Norman (French) families

He died without an adult heir William, the powerful Duke of

Normandy (present day France) believed he had the right to rule

England crowned his cousin Harold In 1066 William invaded England and

defeated Harold in what is known as the battle of Hastings

A line of Norman Kings ruled England William became known as William the

conqueror Brought feudal institutions from Europe with

him

Lords

Rulers or powerful land owners In return people received protection

from the lord

Knights

Armed warriors who fought on behalf of their lord

Peasants

Worked the land Serf a peasant that was not free to

leave the Lord’s land

Establishing Order

By High Middle Ages feudalism provided the needed protection and safety and social order

People were bound to one another by pledges of loyalty

In theory all the land in the kingdom belonged to the monarch – king or queen

fiefs

Land granted by the kings to the most important lords who became his vassals

In return the lords promised to supply the king with knights

Manors

Large estates where lords and wealthier knights lived

Located in the country far from towns Included

castle or manor houseOne or more villagesSurrounding farmland

Peasants

Had to produce everything needed in the manor

Social Class

People were born into it Had same position and job as their

parents