Early Medieval West 476-1000

1. Germanic migrations Germanic migrations Germanic people are originally from the area occupied today by Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany. They started to move east and south and settled in the borders of the Roman empire.

1. Germanic migrations They were pre-urban tribal societies. They had a nomadic way of life. They were allowed to settle in the boundaries of the Roman empire in exchange for offering protection against new invaders. Some of the groups (Visigoths, Ostrogoths) were Christian and very familiar with Roman customs.

1. Germanic migrations In the 5th century they crossed the boundaries of the empire, raided its cities, and settled in the new regions forming Germanic kingdoms.

1. Germanic migrations England: Angles, Saxons: Britons/ Old English Spain: Visigoths: Romanized people: vernacular: Spanish (a Visigoth last name anyone?) Italy: Ostrogoths: Romanized people: vernacular: Italian France and Germany: Franks West: French East: German

2. General features Government? Economy? Urban or rural society? Structure of the society? Religion? Cultural achievements?

2. General features Monarchies Economy: barter, agriculture, feudalism. Rural society due to economy and security Society: warriors, clergy, serfs. Consolidation of Christianity Culture is relegated to monasteries, decline in education.

3. Feudalism Both a political and an economic system An exchange of land and protection for military service and a share of the produce of the land. Loyalty to the lord (a sworn Christian oath) Extremely hierarchical Based on the existence of isolated independent social entities rather than a centralized government.

4. Anglo-Saxons Rule over the native Britons (Celtic population). Their language is the origin of modern English. Beowulf: an epic poem in Old English (Anglo- Saxon)

4. Anglo-Saxon language (Old English) What percentage of the English vocabulary has a Germanic origin? A) 20% B) 40 % C) 80 % How often is this vocabulary used in everyday conversation? Why do you add ‘s at the end of a word? What is the origin of this? Ex: king’s castle Cyninges What is the origin of the remaining 80 % of the English vocabulary? French and Latin words Words from British territories: India, Africa… Not one language in particular but a compound of words from different languages.

5. Charlemagne (768-814) King of the Franks. First to establish a Christian empire in Europe after the fall of the Roman empire. Christian, Roman and Germanic influences.

5. Architecture Charlemagne's Palace Chapel (Palantine Chapel) Octagonal floorplan oldest cathedral in Europe

5. Monasticism Monasteries: cultural repositories Schools centers of evangelization independent economic entities.

5. Music and visual arts Music Painting: Writing: Literature: Gregorian chants Painting: Illuminated manuscripts Writing: Carolingian minuscule Literature: The song of Roland In the picture: Charlemagne flanked by Popes From the Sacramentary of Charles the Bald. Mid-ninth century.

6. Code of chivalry Towards women: Courtly love: idealization of aristocratic women Among the lords and vassals: honor, loyalty and courage (warrior’s code)

7. Viking civilization In the 9th and 10th century the Vikings expanded their influence over the coastal areas of Europe. They settled in Normandy (France). Their descendants invaded England defeating the Anglo-Saxon king Harold in 1066. French speaking aristocracy/ English speaking substratum.

8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century) Bayeux Tapestry. The defeat of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold by William the Conqueror of Normandy

8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century)

8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century)