THE MIDDLE AGES

Fall of RomeCharlemagne's EmpireMiddle Ages – 3 stages

FALL OF ROME

ROME COLLAPSESWhy does Rome collapse? Well Good Question. The empire was too big to manage effectively, invaders from the East and the North threatened many cities and people eventually left making it even harder to govern people.

In approximately 500 the Roman Empire collapses.

People fled From the countryside from invaders from the north and the east

No central government to maintain roads, waterways, or public systems

Long distance travel became unsafe so trade became less common

CHANGING EMPIRES

Roman Empire

CHARLEMAGNE

Charlemagne (Charles the Great) reunited much of Europe. He built his empire by 800. He restored the church based education and revived Roman imperial government. The empire did not survive his 814 death. His sons divided territory and rulers after lacked talent. Local lords and city-states separated and went their own ways.

THE MIDDLE AGES

-Though this era is often referred to as one period of time,

this is not the case.

-The middle ages (Medieval era) is divided in three periods:

The Early Middle Ages

The High Middle Ages

The Late Middle Ages

These periods do not have DEFINTE dates.

THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

Often called the Dark AgesBegins with the fall of RomeReign of CharlemagneChristianity spread through EuropeThe birth and rapid expansion of Islam

THE HIGH MIDDLE AGES

 Crusades

Papacy struggles with secular governments

Intellectual renaissance

Universities established in Paris, Oxford, and Bologna

Explosion of stone-castle building

Construction of magnificent cathedrals in Europe

Feudalism was firmly established

Trade flourished

Europe was at an economic and cultural height

THE LATE MIDDLE AGES: The Black Death wiped out up to 50% of the population

The church suffered reduced status when some of its priests refused to minister to the dying during the plague but enjoyed enormous profits in bequests from plague victims.

People began looking after each other which sowed the seeds of human rights

King

Lord (Vassal)

Knight(Vassal)

Peasants & Serfs

Feudalism: a political structure

Manorialism: a social structure

The king grants Fief in return for a vow of service

A lord promises a knight property in return for military service

The lord provides protection in return for taxes paid by the peasants on their goods and services (in the form of crops or labor)

Serfs are not slaves but are owned by the Land where they live

Peasants did not own the land they worked. They traded their work and a portion of their crops in return for protection.

Vocabulary:

KeepBaileyMoatGreat HallTowersGatehouseDrawbridgeOuter wardInner ward

COAT OF ARMS TELLS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY TREE & IS USED TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE IN BATTLE