the early middle ages (476-1000 ce )
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The Early Middle Ages (476-1000 CE ). Fall of the Roman Empire. Western Empire declines as Eastern flourishes Internal decay External threats Overextended borders Remaining influences Roman tradition Western Church Germanic tribes. Western Europe in 500 CE. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Early Middle Ages (476-1000CE)
Fall of the Roman EmpireWestern Empire declines as Eastern flourishesInternal decayExternal threatsOverextended bordersRemaining influences
Roman traditionWestern ChurchGermanic tribes
Western Europe in 500 CEVisigoths in Southern Gaul/Northern SpainVandals in Southern SpainHuns throughout Europe (sacked Rome 410)Angles-Saxons in EnglandFranks in Northern GaulOstrogoths in ItalyAlso Lombards, Burgundians
Development of Christianity in the West
As Roman control over Europe declines, the Christian Church fills the void- Age of Faith
Church administration centralized with Roman archbishop given “Papal Primacy”
Monastic ChristianityMonasticism - priests turning away from
popular culture to study faithSought seclusion instead of self-tortureTwo types -
Hermit - complete seclusionCommunal – monks lived at a monastery - missionary oriented - “cities of God” ex. Benedictines
Early Political Development – Europe Starting to look like Europe
FranksCarolingiansCharlemagneCarolingian Renaissance
The FranksLoose group of tribes
inhabiting northeastern Europe in 3rd century
Clovis, unites group to become largest political power in wake of Empire
Converts for alliance with the Church
CarolingiansCharles Martel (the hammer) creates large
cavalry force using aristocracy - awards control of local area back to nobles giving benefices or fiefs (gifts of land) – beginning of feudalism
Defeats the Muslims at the Battle of Tours in 732, effectively ended the Muslim advance into Europe
Battle of Tours
Carolingians and the ChurchCarolingians enlist Church to help maintain
control - offer conversion opportunities to conquered groups - ex: Anglo-Saxons
Reciprocal relationship: Carolingians protects Church from the East/Church legitimizes dynasty
Give lands surrounding Rome to the Church
Charlemagne (742-814 C.E.)Solidifies relationship with the ChurchCrowned head of (new) Holy Roman Empire
Christmas Day, 800AD
CharlemagneIncreases Frankish realm - extends domain
in name of ChristianityForces Eastern Empire to
recognize authority in west - though no takeover
Had strong indirect control over Church - restored Pope after capture
Governs in the Carolingian way - 250 Counts from aristocracy
Charlemagne Expected loyalty - taxes collected - justice
dispensedTight control over empire
Resorted to divine justice “trial by ordeal”
Builds large palace at Aix-la-Chapelle: center of learning
Breakup of Carolingian DynastyCharlemagne’s son Louis the Pious inheritsWithout talented leader, empire unmanageableLouis the Pious sons’
demand empire dividedKingdoms devolve but
Holy Roman Empire remains
FeudalismA political system based on granting land in
exchange for loyalty and service.
FeudalismKing- highest noble who owned all the landLord - owner of feudal estateVassal - one who swears loyalty to lordPeasant- workerSerf- peasant tied to the landManor - farm/estate including local shops fief – land given by a lord to a vassalDemesne- land for the lord’s personal useFealty - loyalty sworn to lord
VassalageHierarchy of vassalageKing - duke/baron - serfKnights serve lord of
the manorSerfs might be required
to fight alsoSome lords vassals to
more than one superior
WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?
Did feudalism bring about stability in Medieval Europe or was it a political and social disaster?
Relationship Between Lords and Vassals
The relationship between lords and vassals made up a big part of the political and social structure of the feudal system
Vassals had certain duties to perform for the lord
All nobles were ultimately vassals of the king.
What is a Knight?Mounted warriors who served the lordsAlmost all nobles were knightsTraining began at age 7-8, as a page, under the guidance of the lady of the manorBecame squires at age 15 and were trained by other knightsThose deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights
Knighting Ceremony
• Investiture ceremony- the lord and vassal agree to their obligations
• Feudal contract- the unwritten rules of obligations between a noble and his vassal
• Chivalry – code of conduct that dictates knights’ behavior towards others. Based on Christian values
Feudal Contract
LORDS
VASSALS
GIVEPROTECTION TO
GIVE SERVICE TO
Does Chivalry Have an Effect?
Did improve the lifestyle of the early feudal lordsHowever…Knights only required to act courteously toward those of his own class. Those of a lower class were free game
Workers on the ManorThere were two groups of peasant workers on the manorFreemen- skilled workers who paid rent and could leave the manor whenever they wished. (They usually had a skill needed by others on the manor.)Serfs – workers bound to the land by contract with the nobles. (They had no freedom - they where the noble’s property.)
Characteristics of FeudalismSerfs bound to the land - multigenerationalLevels of serfdom
free serfs - some rights, had some bargaining power (small landowners)
servile serfs - no rights, needed permission for marriage, travel, etc.
Troubadour- wandering poets who glorified women in songs and poems
Why did Feudalism work? Lords needed stable workforce for land Serfs needed a job and protection Periodic waves of invaders threatened safety of
the landless - Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims Crusades were partly an excuse to give the knights
something to do Lords traded use of land for share of crop Small landowners trade also with lords Necessary antecedent for Nation-States
•Economic system around a lord’s manor
•Manor included a village and the land surrounding it
•Each group in society had their own job and responsibility to fulfill
•Self-sufficient community
Manorialism
Changes in AgricultureClimate improves in Europe - 700-1200 CE
temperature rises 1 degree centigradeMoldboard plow allows deeper penetration3 field crop rotation system used (always
have 2 fields planted and 1 field unplanted)Padded collars for horsesHarness of water power for millsWheelbarrow developed
CastleMain purpose was defenseAttacking armies use wide range of strategies and weapons:
Siege tower: plat formed tower that soldiers would use to climb over wallsBattering Ram: metal tipped heavy timber used to crack castle walls and doorsTrebuchet: worked like a slingshot to propel objects over the wall
Launched: pots of burning lime, boulders, dead enemies, diseased animals
The ChurchThe Structure of the Church:
Pope (supreme authority)Clergy (religious officials) • Bishops- settle Church disputes• Priests- lived and served in the villages
Religion as a unifying forceClergy administers the sacraments—rites to achieve salvationVillage church is a place of worship and celebration
Church LawAll medieval Christians expected to obey canon law—Church lawCanon law governs marriages and religious practicesPopes have power over political leaders through threat of:
Excommunication—banishment from Church, denial of salvationInterdiction—king’s subjects denied sacraments and services
Kings and emperors were expected to obey pope’s commands.
Clash Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII:Pope Gregory VII bans lay investiture—kings appointing Church officialsHenry IV orders pope to resign; Gregory VII excommunicates Henry
Gothic style evolves around 1100; term from Germanic tribe, GothsGothic style has large, tall windows for more light; pointed archesChurches have stained glass windows, many sculpturesAbout 500 Gothic churches are built from 1170 to 1270
Cathedrals
Gothic Architecture
1. ribbed vaults that supported the roof’s weight
2. flying buttresses that transferred weight to thick, exterior walls
3. pointed arches that framed huge stained glass windows
4. tall spires that seemed to be pointing to heaven
The Crusades: The BeginningIn 1093, Byzantine emperor asks for help fighting the TurksPope Urban II issues a call for a Crusade—a “holy war”
Goals of the CrusadesPope wants to reclaim Jerusalem and reunite ChristianityKings use Crusades to send away knights who cause troubleYounger sons hope to earn land or win glory by fighting Later, merchants join Crusades to try to gain wealth through trade
The Third Crusade : 1189-1192
One is Richard the Lion-Hearted—king of EnglandThe Robin Hood stories and legends often surround Richard I returning from the Third Crusade.
A Spanish CrusadeMost of Spain controlled by Moors, a Muslim peopleChristians fight Reconquista—drive Muslims from Spain, 1100-1492Spain has Inquisition—court to suppress heresy; expels non-Christians
The Effects of the CrusadesShow power of Church Women who stay home manage the estate and business affairsMerchants expand trade, bring back many goods from Southwest AsiaFailure of later crusades to recapture and unite Christendom …
weakens pope and nobles, strengthens kingsCrusades create lasting bitterness between Muslims and Christians
Women’s Role in Feudal SocietyStatus of Women
According to the Church and feudal society, women were inferior to men
NoblewomenCan inherit land, defend castle, send knights to war on lord’s requestUsually confined to activities of the home or convent
Peasants WomenMost labor in home and field, bear children, provide for familyPoor, powerless, do household tasks at young age
Convents provided women in the middle ages an alternative to married life. Childbirth was often deadly for women, so becoming a nun was a respectable and perhaps attractive alternative.
Western Europe during the
Middle Ages: Emerging Monarchs
France, England, Germany and Spain
France: Clovis I, (481-511)Clovis I Charles MartelCharlemagnePhilip II “Augustus” (1190-1223) - Expanded the kingdom of France by taking Normandy, Anjou, & Touraine from the British.Louis IX “St. Louis” (1226-1270) - He convinced his subjects that the monarchy was essential to their happiness & well-being
Philip IV “the Fair” (1300s)Established the Estates General (an advisory council which)Defied & arrested the Pope in 1303. A French papacy was established at Avignon which remained under French control from 1305-1377. Great Schism-
There was a Pope in Avignon and a Pope in Rome.Each Pope excommunicated (kicked them out of the Church) each otherThe Holy Roman Emperor and the Council of Constance forced the two Popes to resign and choose a new Pope in 1417
EnglandWilliam I “the Conqueror” (Duke of Normandy)Defeated the Celts, Angles, Saxons & Jutes in England at the Battle of Hastings (1066) He thus united England & laid the foundations for a sovereign nation-state.
“Domesday Book”William I compiled the “Domesday Book” in 1086 which surveyed the people of England.He thereby contributed still further to the unification of England.
Henry II of England (1154-1189)Married Eleanor of Acquitaine & thereby extended the territory of England to include land in “France”. He also established a Court system which enforced a common set of laws. His style & energy were models for future monarchs.
Henry II Eleanor of Aquitaine
Thomas a BecketWas appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II. Although this is an example of “lay investiture,” Thomas a Becket pledged his first loyalty to the Pope. As a result of this power struggle Thomas a Becket was eventually killed, but he was also forever admired.
King John of EnglandKnown in the Robin Hood taleWas forced by nobles to sign the Magna Carta (1215).This document limited the King’s power by insisting that he consult with the Nobles before raising taxes and/or waging war.
John did not follow the Magna Carta Influenced American government
It marks the beginning of England’s “democratic tradition.”
MagnaCarta
Parliament (1265)A British institution that provides for elected representation of the people in government. It is another example of England’s evolving Democratic Tradition. Parliament consists of a House of Lords (Nobles) & a House of Commons.Gradually the House of Commons became the most powerful.
The “100 Years War”The “100 Years War”(1337-1453) was fought between England & France.The most important cause was over territory in “France.”Under the “miraculous” leadership of Joan of Arc, France eventually won and England forever gave up claims to “French” territory.
100 Years War: France vs. England
Treaty to conclude the 100 yrs War in 1475
100 YRS War basically ended kings reliance on feudal armies because of new weapons like the long bow
“Germany” Remained fragmented throughout the medieval period and would not be united as a sovereign nation-state until 1870.
At the time of Charlemagne much of “Germany” had been part of the “Holy Roman Empire,” but after Charlemagne’s death the HRE was split into 3 parts.
E190Germ/ItMAP
Medieval Italy During the Middle Ages Italy basically consisted of 3 parts:
North: Powerful & wealthy city-states competed with Muslims & Byzantines for trade with Asia.Central: Papal States. South: Kingdom of the two Sicilies.
Italy would not be united until 1870.
Medieval SpainMuslims conquered Spain in the 700s (Moors) but Spanish leaders fought the Reconquista (1065-1500) & eventually drove the Muslims out. Ferdinand & Isabella united all of SpainLed the Age of Exploration (late 1400s).
Isabella & Ferdinand of Spain
Reasons for the Decline of Feudalism in Medieval Europe
Rise of towns: People found economic opportunities beyond the manors.The Bubonic plague (Black Death) caused a 30% decline in European population.
Social order broke down- People were no longer tied to the land
The Crusades provided opportunities for people to leave the manors.Emerging monarchs (powerful, centralized authority) replaced feudal lords.
EndFinally!