Western and Eastern Europe

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 CE

Visigoths 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

Europe isolated following end of Roman Empire - Church often only authority and most stable institution

Church administration centralized with Roman archbishop given “Papal Primacy”

Monastic Christianity

Monasticism - priests turning away from popular culture to study faith

Sought seclusion instead of self-tortureTwo types -

Hermit - complete seclusionCommunal - communities

of monks - missionary oriented - “cities of God” - ex. Benedictines

Division of Christendom

East and West compete for supremacy of Christianity

Eastern Church too preoccupied with Islam to use resources to bring West under control

Western Church allies with Franks against Lombards for protection

Gulf widens between doctrinal views

Western v. Eastern Christianity Pope has final say Church competes with

political for control Celibate priesthood Unleavened bread

Church councils decide Church accepts political

control Priest could marry Leavened bread

Influences of Christianity in the

West

300 – 500 C.E.

Ambrose (330 – 397 C.E.)Archbishop of Milan During his time, more

influential than the PopeForces late Roman

Emperor to do penance for killing civilians - Church over state

Jerome (347 – 420 c.e.) Translated Bible from Hebrew and Greek to Latin

(Latin Vulgate) Travels to Constantinople, Damascus and

Jerusalem Believed Bible allegorical,

not literal Classical training good if

Christian purpose served No baths for women

Augustine (354-430 C.E)

Bishop of HippoSaid the Bible is revealed obscurely - an

education needed to understandBelieved in original sin and

predestinationAuthor, “On the City of God”Canonized after death

Early Political Development – Europe Starting to look like Europe

It all starts with the Franks!

Franks

Merovingians

Carolingians

Charlemagne

Carolingian Renaissance

The Franks

Loose group of tribes inhabiting northeastern Europe in 3rd century

Clovis, unites group (Merovingian dynasty) to become largest political power in wake of Empire

Converts for alliance with the Church

Merovingians Solidify rule by giving control to non-nobles (to

create loyalty) with office of Count Counts gain land becoming another type of

aristocracy who become resentful Administration left to the “mayor of the palace” -

Pepin I takes control of Franks - establishes Carolingian dynasty

CarolingiansPepin I - Pepin II - Charles Martel -

Pepin III (the Short) - CharlemagneCharles 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 Church

Carolingians enlist Church to help maintain control - offer conversion opportunities to conquered groups - ex: Anglo-Saxons

Pope supports Carolingian takeover of remnants of Merovingian kingdom

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

Charlemagne

Increases Frankish realm - extends domain in name of Christianity

Forces 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

Large-extroverted-practical jokerExpected loyalty - taxes collected -

justice dispensedOccasionally resorted

to divine justice “trial by ordeal”

Builds large palace at Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)

Carolingian Renaissance

Charlemagne used resources taken from conquered tribes to attract scholars

Aix-la-Chapelle became center of learningPreserved Roman writings in easier to read

Carolingian scriptServed as vehicle to train bureaucrats

Breakup of Carolingian DynastyCharlemagne’s son Louis the Pious inheritsWithout talented leader, empire unmanageableLouis the Pious sons’

demand empire dividedLotharLouis the GermanPepin/Charles

Kingdoms devolve but Holy Roman Empire remains

Feudalism & Manorialism

Definition

Vocabulary

Vassalage

Knights

Workers

Feudal Contract

Manorialism

Feudalism

System of agriculture that bound workers (serfs) to owners of the land (lords)

Feudalism

Serf/peasant - farm workerLord - owner of feudal estateManor - farm/estate including local shopsfiefdom - estate or domain of a feudal lordFealty - loyalty sworn to lordVassal - one who swears loyalty to lordLiege - lord to which one is most loyalVagabond - escaped serf who roamed

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?Almost all nobles were knightsTraining began at age 7, 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” knightsChivalry - System of rules that dictates knights’ behavior towards others.

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

Coat of Arms

System of Identity among Medieval KnightsMeaning belongs to:

ColorsSymbolsHelmetMotto

Example

Gold=Generosity

Red=Warrior

Helmet=Protector

Cat=Liberty & Courage

Dragon=Valor and Protection

Workers on the ManorThere were two groups of peasant workers on the manor

Freemen- 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 Feudalism

Serfs 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.

Feudal Contract

LORDS

VASSALS

GIVEPROTECTION TO

GIVE SERVICE TO

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 - 1000 CE new wave of 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

Changes in Agriculture

Climate improves in Europe - 700-1200 CE temperature rises 1 degree centigrade

Moldboard plow allows deeper penetration3 field crop rotation system usedPadded collars for horsesHarness of water power for millsWheelbarrow developed

Family Life in the Middle Ages

How did the structure of family life change from Roman Empire times through the Middle Ages?

What accounted for these changes?

Roman Empire Middle Ages

Description of family life

details details

Influences on family life

details details

Family Life

•How did the structure of family life change from Roman Empire times through the Middle Ages?

•What accounted for these changes?

Western Europe during the

Middle Ages: Emerging Monarchs

France, England, Germany and Spain

France – the FranksClovis I (481-511)Charles Martel (688 –741)Charlemagne (742-814 C.E.)Philip 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 – beginning of absolutism

Philip IV “the Fair” (1300s)Established the Estates General (a feudal council which could advise the king while also pledging loyalty & submission).As noted in “Prominent Popes” Philip IV also defied & arrested the Pope. A French papacy was established at Avignon which remained under French control from 1305-1377.

EnglandWilliam I “the Conqueror” (Duke of Normandy) ca. 1028-1087

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.

THIS BRINGS FEUDALISM TO ENGLAND ALL AT ONCE. HOW IS THIS DIFFERENCE FROM THE REST OF EUROPE’S EXPERIENCE?

“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 England 1166-1216Known in the Robin Hood tale

Was 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.

It marks the beginning of England’s “democratic tradition.”

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” 1337-1453The “100 Years War” was fought between England & France.Main period of fighting. Treaty not signed till later.The most important cause was over territory in “France.”Under the leadership of Joan of Arc, France eventually won and England forever gave up claims to “French” territory.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc led French troops to victory in the 100 years war.

She was later captured by the British & burned to death as a witch.

Treaty to conclude the 100 yrs War in 1475

100 YRS War basically ended kings reliance on feudal armies

“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.Still remained roughly allegiant to the Holy Roman Emperor.

“Germany”

Two of Medieval Germany’s most prominent kings were:

Frederick I “Barbarosa” 1152-1190

Frederick II, 1212-1250.

E190Germ/ItMAP

Medieval Italy

During the Middle Ages Italy basically consisted of 3 parts:

North: Powerful & wealthy city-states such as Florence, Genoa & Venice 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 but Spanish leaders fought the Reconquista (1065-1500) & eventually drove the Muslims out. Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile and together they completed the Reconquista;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

The Bubonic plague (Black Death) caused a 30% decline in European population.Rise of towns: People found economic opportunities beyond the manors.The Crusades provided opportunities for people to leave the manors.100 Years Wars and other wars rallied allegiance to central rulers.Emerging monarchs (powerful, centralized authority) replaced feudal lords.

EndFinally!