Chapter 13 European Middle Ages

Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne 13.1

Invasions Trigger Change in Western Europe By the end of the 5th century Germanic groups overran the western half of the Roman Empire A series of changes occurred in government, economy, and culture Disruption in trade Downfall of cities Population shifts Decline in Learning Germanic invaders could not read or write Greek literature, science, and philosophy was lost Loss of a Common Language Different dialects of Latin became common: Spanish, Italian, French

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge Clovis—King of Franks Converts Kingdom to Christianity Began a partnership with the Church and Pope Christianity Missionaries tried to spread Christianity throughout Europe Religious communities called monasteries were built in rural areas Monks—servants of God Well educated communities Church becomes secular—involved in politics

Empire Evolves Charles Martel—Defeated the Muslim invasion trying to enter the Kingdom from Spain Battle of Tours—732 Pepin, Charles’s son began the Carolingian Dynasty Charlemagne, son of Pepin, became the most powerful king of the middle ages

Charlemagne Built an empire greater than any known since Roman times In 800, he traveled to Rome to crush a mob that had attacked the Pope. In return, the Pope, Leo III, crowned him emperor. This signaled the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne’s Government Limited the power of the nobles Sent royal agents to oversee the powerful landowners Surrounded himself with scholars to promote learning Charlemagne was followed by weak leadership and his empire would eventually be divided into three kingdoms

Feudalism 13.2

Invasions in Western Europe Between 800-1000, invasions destroyed the Carolingian Empire Muslims—from the south and along the Mediterranean Magyar—from the east Vikings—from the north Western Europeans looked to local rulers for protection

The Feudal System King—controlled the kingdom Lords (nobles)—land owners Knights—mounted warriors pledged to defend their lord’s land Serfs—peasants who worked the land (could not lawfully leave the land where they were born)

The Feudal System Social class was usually inherited

The Age of Chivalry 13.3 Chivalry—a code of behavior for knights in medieval Europe, stressing ideals such as courage, loyalty, and devotion

Warriors on Horseback Knights on horseback became the ideal position for warfare Knights devoted their lives to war Knights developed skills and purchased the most advanced weapons to ensure their success They were rewarded with large plots of land by their lords

Knighthood and Chivalry Ideals Loyalty Bravery Courtesy Defense of 3 masters: Feudal Lord Heavenly Lord Chosen lady Cowardly knights faced public shame Knights would practice their skills in tournaments

Literature and Women Literature downplayed the brutality of knighthood, instead it was glorified Poems and songs were also written that recounted a knight’s deeds and adventures Women’s role became more limited to the home and convent Women were responsible for defending the castle when her husband was away fighting

The Church Wields Power 13.4 Because of the weak central government, the Church emerged as a powerful institution

Scope of the Churches Authority The Church wanted to influence both the spiritual and political matters

Church Structure Ranks of the Clergy (people in the Church) Priests—Lowest Ranking Main contact with the people Conducted mass Bishops—Regional Managers Supervised the priests Settled disputes over church teachings and practices Pope—Head of the Church (Rome)

Religion as a Unifying Force Shared beliefs and teachings bonded people together Stable—provided a sense of security Sacraments—religious rituals Social Centers—meet, talk, and gather

Church Justice The Church created a system of justice to guide people’s conduct Canon Law—church laws Marriage Religious practices Court system Punishment Excommunication—banishment from the Church Interdict—religious services banned

Church Conflict Lay Investiture—Kings and nobles were allowed to name church officials such as Bishops and Priests Pope Gregory banned Lay Investiture and excommunicated King Henry IV Concordat of Worms—compromise between the Church and State Pope could appoint, but the King could veto appointment