Ch. 13 – The Rise of the Middle Ages

1. Ch. 13 – The Rise of the Middle Ages

2. For hundreds of years following the breakup of the Western Roman Empire, Europe was the scene of widespread disorder and change. • Waves of barbarian invasion and settlement brought new customs to many parts of Europe. Gradually Europeans began to restore order to their lives. • This transition in the development of Western culture is known as the Middle Ages • The Middle Ages lasted approximately 900 years. They began around 500 AD and lasted until 1400 AD.

3. Early Middle Ages • The years 500 to 1000 AD are known as the Dark Ages. • During this time Vikings were invading much of Europe. • Tribal disputes were causing constant war. • Pagan worshipping was common. • Only the monks in the monasteries kept learning alive.

4. High Middle Ages • The High Middle Ages lasted from 1000 to 1300 AD. • During this time society, nobility, and the church grew stronger. • The feudal system became organized. • William the Conqueror became the King of England. • The Magna Carta was signed by King John in 1215, limiting the king's power for the first time.

5. Late Middle Ages • The Late Middle Ages lasted from 1300 to 1400 AD. • This was time of tragedy and hope. • The 100 Years' War between England and France and the bubonic plague known as the Black Death took many lives. • The church was fighting. • Hope began when the working people began to rise. New ideas grew. Overseas exploration led to a modern time.

6. Feudalism and the Manorial System

7. Feudal System • With the fall of the Roman Empire, farmers were forced to sell farms and rent land owned by nobles • By AD 400, many Romans were living as tenant farmers on huge farms owned by rich lords • The lord lived on a huge estate called a manor • To keep the farmers happy, a Catholic Church was built on each manor • The only people that could protect the people of the former Roman Empire were wealthy lords

8. Feudal System • Organized, large-scale government in Europe basically disappeared • Replaced by local, independent leaders called lords • System of organization is called feudalism • Powerful noble granted land to lesser noble • Lesser noble could use the land and its products but could not “own” the land • Lesser noble promised loyalty and military assistance in exchange for land

9. Lord: person who granted land (today: “landlord”) • Fief: grant of land • Vassal: person who received the fief • Vassal could further divide the land and grant it to others, such as knights • So, vassal could also be a lord

10. Fief eventually passed down from vassal to eldest son – system called “primogeniture” • Every landholder was a vassal to the king • Church owned vast amounts of land, so even the church was part of the feudal system

12. Structure of Feudalism: King and Queen Church officials and nobles Knights Peasants (serfs) http://youtu.be/HCPp7XWZfHo

13. Manorial System • Manors were large farming estates • Basically no central authority or organized trade at this time – people on manors needed to be self-sufficient • Lord and several peasant families shared land of manor • Peasants gave lord some crops, helped farm, paid taxes

17. Life spans of peasants were short – hard work, disease, starvation, frequent warfare • Peasants who were not allowed to leave the land were called serfs (slaves) • Nobles did not live in luxury or comfort • Castles were built on fortified hills • The only thing that unified Western Europe at this time was that each manor had a Catholic church that communicated with the Pope

18. The Catholic Church • The medieval church had broad political powers • Performed many “governmental” functions • Presence felt throughout Europe • Great economic force – a leading landowner

19. Monasticism • Two types of clergy: • Secular – priests, bishops, and pope • Regular – male monks (female nuns not considered clergy) • Monks and nuns served God through fasting, prayer, and self-denial • Monks lived in monasteries; nuns in convents • Monks and nuns took care of the needy; some became missionaries

20. Pope was religious AND political leader • Church had its own code of law (canon law) and its own courts • Had power to tax (tithe – 10% of income) • In 1200s, at height of power, church was wealthiest single institution in Europe

21. Problems of the church • Lay investiture – noble appointing a friend to be a bishop (only clergy should have this power) • Simony – buying high positions within the church • The Inquisition – search for heretics (those teaching against the church) – those who did not confess were sometimes burned at the stake

22. The Struggle for Power in England and France

23. King William I of England (William the Conqueror) • Ruled England from 1066 to 1087 • Brought feudalism from France to newly conquered England • Shaped feudal system so that the king, not the nobles (lords), held supreme authority • Required each feudal lord to swear loyalty to him

24. Kept lords from uniting against him by scattering their fiefs (land) throughout England • Laid strong foundation for centralized government and strong monarchy in England • Set up accurate, central tax system

25. Henry II (ruled England 1154 – 1189) • Vassals (nobles) could pay him a fee instead of providing military service • Used money to hire soldiers – thus soldiers were loyal because he was paying them • Tried to increase authority of his royal courts at the expense of the church (tried clergy members in his courts after they had already been tried in church courts)

26. King John(ruled England 1199 - 1216) • One of Henry II’s sons • Demanded the nobles pay more taxes to support his wars • High nobles joined together against him – forced him to accept Magna Carta in 1215

27. Magna Carta • Latin for “Great Charter” • Protected freedoms of nobles • Gave outline of rights for ordinary people • King John agreed to NOT: • collect any new taxes • take property without paying for it • sell justice

28. King John signing the Magna Carta in 1215

29. John’s acceptance of Magna Carta meant that the king had to obey the law • Law – not king – was now supreme power in England • Our constitution (Bill of Rights) contains many ideals laid out by the Magna Carta • An original copy of the Magna Carta was on display this past year at National Archives in Washington, D.C. • Magna Carta - YouTube