Ch 13 European Middle Ages

1. Ch 13 European Middle Ages 500-1200

2. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Sec 1

3. Middle Ages • The gradual decline of the Roman Empire ushered in the Middle Ages, or medieval period that last from about 500 to 1500 • During this time a new society emerged with roots in the heritage of Rome, the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church and the customs of various Germanic tribes

4. Invasions of Western Europe • In the fifth century, Germanic invaders overran the western half of the Roman Empire

6. Effects of Germanic Invasions • 3 main effects of the Germanic Invasions • Disruption of trade • Downfall of cities • Population shift from cities to the countryside

7. Other Effects • Other effects included a decline of learning and the loss of a common language

8. Germanic Kingdoms • In the years of upheaval between 400 and 600, small Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces • While the kingdoms changed frequently the Church remained to provide order and security

10. What was government like under the Romans?

11. Change of Government • Loyalty to the government and written law was replaced by loyalty to family and unwritten laws and traditions • The stress on personal ties made it impossible to establish orderly government for large territories

12. Clovis Rules the Franks • In the Roman province of Gaul (France), a Germanic people called the Franks held power • Their leader Clovis brought Christianity to the region and united the Franks into one kingdom

14. Germans Adopt Christianity • With the help of Frankish rulers the Church converted many Germanic peoples • To adapt to the rural lifestyle monasteries were built • Monasteries became a center of learning in the Middle Ages

16. Church Expands its Power • Under Pope Gregory I, the Church broadened its power by becoming involved in politics • The Pope used Church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and help the poor

18. An Empire Evolves • In 751, the Carolingian Dynasty came to be ruler of the Franks • In 771, Charlemagne came to rule the kingdom and extend the empire • Charlemagne united western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire

20. Holy Roman Emperor • In 800, Charlemagne traveled to Rome to crush a mob that had attacked the Pope • In exchange the Pope crowned Charlemagne, Roman Emperor • This event marked the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and Roman heritage

23. Death of Charlemagne • After Charlemagne death in 814, the empire lost strength under his son and grandsons • The lack of central authority led to a new style of governing and landholding- feudalism

24. Feudalism In Europe Sec 2

25. Invaders Attack Western Europe • From about 800-1000, invasions destroyed the Carolingian Empire • Vikings from Scandinavia were a warlike people that raided Europe and explored the world • Muslims from North Africa invaded Spain and Italy

28. Effects of Raids • These invasions caused widespread disorder and suffering • Kings could not effectively defend their land from invasion so people no longer looked to a central ruler for security • Many people turned to local rulers who had their own armies

29. Feudalism Structures Society • The feudal system is based on rights and obligations • In exchange for military protection and other services, a lord, or landowner, granted land to a vassal

31. Knights- mounted horsemen who pledged to defend their lord’s land in exchange for land Knights

32. Serfs • In Europe in the Middle Ages, the vast majority of people were peasants • Most peasants were serfs, peasants who could not lawfully leave the land where they were born • Annoying Peasant

34. Social Classes • In the feudal system, status determined a person’s power and prestige

35. Manors • The manor was the lord’s estate • The manor system was the basic economic arrangement of the Middle Ages • The lord provided serfs with housing and protection and the serfs tended the land, took care of the animals, and maintained the estate

36. Self-Contained World • Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles from their homes • The manor contained the lord’s manor house, a church, workshops, a village, and was surrounded by fields • The manor was largely a self-sufficient community • The peasants raised or produced nearly everything that they needed

37. Harshness of Manor Life • Peasants paid a high price for living on the lord’s land • The peasants had to pay high taxes to the lord and to the church • Peasant cottage often had one or 2 rooms and dirt floors • Pigs were brought into the house to warm the houses • Families often slept together on a bed of straw often filled with insects

38. Harshness of Manor Life • Life for the peasant was all about work • Average life expectancy was about 35 years

39. Chivalry Sec 3

40. Warfare • During the Middle Ages, nobles were constantly at war • Mounted knights were the most important part of the army • Lords gave knights land in exchange for loyalty • The land given to the knights gave them enough wealth to devote their lives to war

41. Chivalry • Chivalry- complex set of ideals that demanded a knight fight bravely for his lord, God, and his lady • The ideal knight was brave, loyal, and courageous • Most did not meet these demands

42. Knight’s Training • Sons of nobles were sent off to the castle of another lord at the age of 7 to serve his host and begin training • At 14, the boy became a squire, servant to a knight • At around the age of 21, a squire became a knight

43. Tournaments • To gain experience some knights took part in tournaments that were mock battles • jousting

44. Brutal Warfare • By the 1100s, castles dominated the landscape of western Europe • Attacking armies used a wide range of weapons and strategies to force castle residents to surrender including siege towers and catapults • Defenders of castles would pour boiling water, oil, or molten lead on enemy soldiers • Castle Siege

45. Power of the Church Sec 4

46. The Church • Amid the weak central governments, the Church emerged as a powerful institution • The Church gave people stability during tough times

47. Structure of the Church • Like the feudal system, power was based on status • The Church was headed by the Pope • All clergy, bishops and priests, fell under his authority

48. Unity • The Church gave the people of Europe a common bond during a time of political instability and constant warfare • The Church unified people through beliefs, rituals, and a system of justice • Church law provided guidelines for things such as marriage and religious practices

49. Holy Roman Empire • Holy Roman Empire- German-Italian empire that remained the strongest state in Europe from 962 to about 1100

50. Feudalism • YouTube - Knights Tale Tribute-- WE WILL ROCK YOU