1. The Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages

2. Don’t write
During the early middle ages, 500 to 1000, Europe was isolated from the more advanced civilizations in the Middle East, South Asia and China.
A Land of Great Potential 
Roman roads connected places, spreading Christianity, classical ideas, and the Latin language.

3. Geography: Western Europe: relatively small Resources: Dense forests
Rich black earth good for farming
Rich minerals
Seas (Mediterranean, Black, North, Baltic), and Atlantic Ocean

4. Germanic Tribes Farmers and herders Very different than the Romans
Small communities (no cities)
No written laws, relied on custom
Ruled by kings
Noble warriors
Divided Western Europe into small kingdoms.
Most successful kingdom: Franks

5. Islam: A New Mediterranean Power
Conquered Christian kingdoms in Spain and North Africa.
Tried to conquer France but lost the Battle of Tours (732).

6. Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
Around A.D. 800
 His empire unified Europe (France, Germany, Italy)—put together the old Roman Empire
Tall man, intimidating on a horse (giant), liked fighting
Spent most of his time fighting Muslims (Moors) in Spain, Saxons in the North, Avars and Slavs in the east and Lombards in Italy.
Crowned emperor by the Pope  paving way to split between East and West (*Eastern emperor was not happy!*)

7. Charlemagne’s Government
 Tried to spread Christianity.
Appointed missi domini to check on provinces

8. A Revival of Learning Tried to revive learning of Latin
Tried to reverse the trend of ignorance
Set up a school at Aachen run by
Alcuin
Subjects: grammar, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy
Books: Bible, ancient manuscripts

9. New Attacks
After Charlemagne’s death, Muslims, Magyars and Vikings attacked.
Vikings were the most vicious attackers but traded extensively too.
Leif Eriksson – sailed to N.A. in 1,000.

10. Political
Feudalism- A political system which exchanges land for military service.
King gives lord (vassal) a fief (land). In exchange, the lord (vassal) gives the king his loyalty and protection when needed.
Lords gradually became more powerful than kings as they acquired more land.

11. Feudalism King or lord Vassal or lord Required to give: -Fief (land)
-loyalty
-military service

12. Social Kings and Lords were at the top of the social hierarchy.
Knights- mounted warriors
Chivalry- code of
conduct for knights
(be brave, loyal,
polite)

13. Feudal lords battled constantly for power and land
By the 1100’s, fighting declined so lords held tournaments (fake battles) to entertain people.

14. Serfs- peasants who worked the lord’s land
They could not leave without permission
They paid the lord rent in food and labor (no $$) for use of the land and protection.

15. Role of Women
Noblewomen managed the household and were in change when men were away.
Rights:
Received a limited inheritance
Arranged marriages, expected to have many kids
Few knew how to read and write
Chivalry raised women to a new status. They were protected and cherished.

16. Economic
Manorialism- an economy where land, not money, is the basis of wealth

17. Manor- the lord’s estate, which included the town, peasant houses, church, and fields
- Self-sufficient, which led to a decline in trade
Three-field system- two fields planted, one left fallow (empty) to regain fertility