1. The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe
PowerPoint #1

2. The Middle Ages Three time periods Early Middle Ages 476-1000
The High Middle Ages 1000 – 1300
The Late Middle Ages

3. The Early Middle Ages Began with the fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire had ruled much of Europe for 500 years – barbarians controlled the rest of the continent
After the fall life was dangerous and difficult
People had to work hard to have enough to eat
Needed to protect themselves from invaders

4. Feudalism
Many invading groups set up kingdoms and were often at war with one another
Resulted from the difficult living situations in Europe
Political system where people pledge their loyalty to a lord

5. Clovis
Franks were a powerful group that eventually took over a large part of Europe
Fought with knights in armor on horseback
Clovis was one of the first leaders

6. Was a successful warrior
Became king of the Franks at age 15 in 481
Ruled for 30 years
Widened the boundaries of the Frankish kingdom

7. Clovis and Christianity
Married Clotilda a Catholic woman
Was baptized in to the Roman Catholic Church
Many people also became Catholic

8. Charlemagne Most important Frankish leader Ruled from 768 to 814
Was 6’4” tall (tall for the time) – stately and dignified
Could not read or could read very little
Had scholarly works read to him

9. Encouraged education – made his court a center of culture
Rewarded knights with land and privileges
Unified nearly all the Christian lands of Europe
Was called “King Father of Europe”

10. Pope Leo III and Charlemagne
Charlemagne had the help of Pope Leo III
Church was central part of society
The blessing of the Church sent the message to the people “God is on my side”
Leo needed the support of someone with an army
Pope crowned Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor in 800

11. Empire survived many barbarian attacks
Charlemagne died in 814
Empire fell apart
Weak rulers could not hold off invaders

12. Ninth and tenth Centuries
Western Europe was threatened by three groups
Muslims from the middle east and northern Africa
Magyars – a central Asian people from the east
Vikings swept down from present day Norway and Denmark

13. Vikings Terrifying raids on towns and villages
Came in shallow boats carrying swords and axes
Killed and took prisoners
People of western Europe needed a way to defend and protect themselves

15. Monarchs
Believed in the divine right of kings the idea that God had given them the right to rule
Some had to work hard to keep control
Most did not have enough money to keep their own army

16. In early middle ages the nobles or lords grew very powerful and governed as independent
Monarch was little more than a figurehead and had no real power

17. English Monarchs
Monarchs were quite strong in England during the Middle Ages
Vikings had invaded and settled in England
By mid 11th century, this area was ruled by a powerful Germanic group called the Saxons

18. The king was a descendant of both the Saxon and Norman (French) families
He died without an adult heir
William, the powerful Duke of Normandy (present day France) believed he had the right to rule

19. England crowned his cousin Harold
In 1066 William invaded England and defeated Harold in what is known as the battle of Hastings
A line of Norman Kings ruled England
William became known as William the conqueror
Brought feudal institutions from Europe with him

20. Lords Rulers or powerful land owners
In return people received protection from the lord

21. Knights
Armed warriors who fought on behalf of their lord

22. Peasants Worked the land
Serf a peasant that was not free to leave the Lord’s land

23. Establishing Order
By High Middle Ages feudalism provided the needed protection and safety and social order
People were bound to one another by pledges of loyalty
In theory all the land in the kingdom belonged to the monarch – king or queen

24. fiefs
Land granted by the kings to the most important lords who became his vassals
In return the lords promised to supply the king with knights

25. Manors Large estates where lords and wealthier knights lived
Located in the country far from towns
Included
castle or manor house
One or more villages
Surrounding farmland

26. Peasants
Had to produce everything needed in the manor

27. Social Class People were born into it
Had same position and job as their parents