THE MIDDLE AGES

1. THEMIDDLEAGES

3. The fall of Rome brought many important changes to Western Europe.

4. Effects of the Fall of Rome • Germanic tribes took over Roman lands. • Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe. • Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes. • Kingdoms were always at war with one another. • People lost interest in learning.

5. Warfare increased. Trade decreased. The “Dark Ages” began.

6. The “Dark Ages” • Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.” • Formerly, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages. • It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.

7. “THE DARK AGES” • COVERED ABOUT 600 YEARS (400 A.D. TO 1000 A.D.) • LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TIME (MOST PEOPLE WERE NOT EDUCATED AND NEITHER READ NOR WROTE) • INTELLECTUAL LIFE VANISHED • EVEN CHARLEMAGNE WAS ILLITERATE • THE CHURCH WAS THE MAINSTAY OF MEDIEVAL LIFE

8. Clovis was an important king of the Franks. The Franks were one of the largest Germanic tribes.

9. Germanic Kingdoms • Clovis converted to Christianity after calling for Jesus’ help during battle – the enemy fled after the plea • Clovis gained support of the Roman Catholic Church • By 510, Clovis established Frankish kingdom from Pyrenees to present day Germany • After Clovis death, his sons divided the kingdom • Germans & Romans intermarried = German customs had an important role • Extended family was center of society

10. Clovis

12. CHARLEMAGNE CHARLEMAGNE’S STATUE OUTSIDE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

13. Charlemagne • 600 & 700’s, Frankish kings lost their power to the chief officers of the king’s household = mayors of the palace • Pepin assumed the kingship • Pepin’s son became king after his death in 768 His son was Charles the Great – Charlemagne • Charlemagne = one of history’s great kings/ curious, driven, intelligent, strong warrior, devout Christian/ was illiterate, but strongly supported learning • Ruled from 768 to 814/ Expanded the Frankish kingdom into Carolingian empire = covered much of western & central Europe

14. Fall of Carolingian empire • Charlemagne died in 814/ by 844 Carolingian empire divided into 3 kingdoms by grandsons • Muslims invaded southern France • Magyars settled on the plains of Hungary • Vikings (Norsemen of Scandinavia) attacked the empire • Vikings were superb warriors & shipbuilders/ famed dragon ships carrying about 50 men could go shallow rivers to attack inland • 9th century, Vikings settled in Europe • 911, Frankish king gave Vikings land of Normandy

16. Feudalism • Invaders posed a threat to the safety of the people due to decentralized government • People began to turn landed aristocrats or nobles for protection/ led to feudalism • Feudalism arose between 800-900/ similar system in Japan- Samurai • Vassalage = center of feudalism/ came from Germanic society where warriors swore oath to their leader • Vassal = man who served a lord militarily

17. Feudalism: Military Service for Land

18. Feudalism • Knights = heavily armored warriors • Male = armor made of metal links or plates • Frankish army initially set up foot soldiers in mail • Heavily armored knights dominated warfare for over 500 years • Knights had great prestige & formed much of European aristocracy • Early Middle Ages (500-1000) wealth was based on owning land/very little trade • Nobles gave a piece of land to vassals in exchange for fighting = fief

19. Feudalism • Vassals had political authority in their fief/in charge of keeping order • Feudalism became complicated = kings had vassals who had vassals • Feudal contract = unwritten rules that characterized feudalism/relationship between king & vassal/knights for about 40-60 days a year • Vassals were to advise the lord, financial obligations to the lord, knighting of his eldest son, • Lord supported the vassal with land grant & protection in military & court

20. Feudalism • 11th & 12th century, under influence of Church- chivalry became important to knights • Chivalry = civilized behavior, knights were to defend the church & defenseless people, treat captives as honored guests, fight for glory not rewards • Women could own property, but were under control of men/ first their fathers, then their husbands • Lady of the castle in charge of household & estate • Eleanor of Aquitane = married to king Louis VII of France & Henry II of England/ 2 children became kings of England

21. Vassals: Military service for 40-60 days. Homage. Serve on the lord’s court. Gifts for weddings and knighthoods. Ransom. Lords: Protection. Justice. Wardship – oversee personal affairs and family if vassal dies in service. Feudal Obligations

22. Feudalism • Castles = permanent residences & fortresses/#’s increased in high middle ages(1000-1300) • Middle Ages = nobles dominated European society/ main concern was warfare • Nobles = kings, dukes, counts, barons, bishops, archbishops • Knighthood = united lords & knights in aristocracy • Knights = trained as warriors/ no adult responsibility • Young knights held tournaments to show their skills/ joust became main attraction

24. Alfred the Great Unified The Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy

26. England • King Alfred the Great united the various kingdoms of England that had been ruled by Anglo-Saxon kings • Angles, Saxons, Germanic people were united

27. Norman Conquest • 10/4/1066, William of Normandy defeated King Harold of England at the battle of Hastings • William was then crowned King of England • Norman knights received land as a fief and swore allegiance to the king • Marriage of French & Anglo-Saxons led to a new English culture • Normans adopted Anglo-Saxon institutions = office of sheriff, census called Domesday Book • William further developed taxation & royal courts

28. William I, the Conqueror Brought Norman Feudalism To England