Western Europe

Early Medieval Society after the fall of Western

Roman Empire

Decentralized• Economically (manorialism)

and politically (feudalism)

• Loss of classical traditions & culture

• Little travel, trade and exchange

Manorialismmanor -self

sufficient farm/estate

serfs- bound peasants

three field system

Feudalism (from Latin for grant of land)

• System of obligations and allegiances based on military service that serves as decentralized government

Fiefs – each held by a lord

Lords & Vassals

• lord responsible for

• granting the fief

• providing leadership

• providing justice

• providing protection against other powers

Vassal’s duties:

• homage: formal act of submission to lord.

• fealty: sworn pledge of loyalty to uphold interests of lord.

• suit to court: requirement to convene at lord's residence to conduct business and to decide military, judicial and political matters.

• military service

• aids: material or financial assistance due to lord when required at certain times. These were not regular taxes.

Subinfeudation- oh, the complication!

Medieval Church

• Institution that survived imperial collapse

• Hierarchical – pope-------

• Growth in power - took on characteristics of a government:

–Laws - canon

–Taxes - tithe

–courts -

–All under pope (growing power)

• Conflicts between growing power of kings & growing power of church

• Church Courts & clerical immunity–Henry II vs. Pope -- England

– Thomas Becket

• Lay investiture–Henry IV vs. Pope -- HRE

– going to Canova

• Secular clergy – dealt with the outside world

• Pope – cardinals – archbishop – bishop

• Priests

• Monasticism – purpose?

• Regular clergy – secluded; lived “regulated” life - monks & nuns

• Benedictine rule: poverty, chastity & obedience

Germanic tribes try to create order

• Franks -

–Clovis unifies the Frankish tribes

–Clovis adopts Christianity

–Charles Martel - halts Muslim advance in France (Battle of Tours)

– Charles the Great - Charlemagne • Introduces a feudal structure;

• Angles & Saxons

–Invade Roman Britain

–Small principalities/ kingdoms

–Attacks by Vikings (Danes)

–Alfred the Great• Becomes “high King” to defeat the Danes

More unified kingdoms emerge

• 10th c.

• Otto the Great – Holy Roman Empire

• Hugh Capet – France

• 11th c.

• William of Normandy – 1066 England; Impact? Significance?