TIME OF CHANGE: THE MIDDLE AGES Chapter 3, Section 4

Western Europe in Collapse Roman Empire collapsed in the fifth century. Collapse caused people to flee to the countryside to escape invaders from both the north and the east. Most towns and cities in Western Europe shrank or disappeared. With no more central government, roads, buildings, and water systems were not maintained. Long-distance travel was unsafe, and trade was uncommon.

The Beginning of the Medieval Era (or the Middle Ages) Time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the modern world. Many advances and inventions of the ancient world were lost. People turned to the Roman Catholic Church for leadership.

Charlemagne (or Charles the Great) and the Christian Church Famous Germanic King and military leader who worked to bring political order to the northwestern portion of the former Roman Empire. Lived from 2 April 742/747/748 to 28 January 814. Reigned from 10 July 774 to 28 January 814. Increased the size of his kingdom and improved the lives of his subjects.

Charlemagne (or Charles the Great) and the Christian Church (Cont’d) The Pope and Charlemagne joined forces and increased the power of the Catholic Church. In 800, the Pope crowned Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor. Education improved, governments became stronger, and Catholicism spread.

The Role of the Church Communities were centered around the church. Churches offered religious services, established orphanages, and cared for the poor, sick, and elderly. Churches hosted feasts, festivals, and other celebrations.

Monks and Nuns Religious people who dedicated their lives to serving God and the Church. Monks: Men who prayed; studied; and copied and decorated holy books by hand. Lived in monasteries, which were important centers of learning in medieval society.

Monks and Nuns Nuns: Women often became nuns after their husbands died. Lived in convents and prayed; sewed; taught young girls; cared for the poor; and copied and decorated holy books by hand.

Two Medieval Systems All land was owned by powerful nobles—lords, kings, and high church officials. Central government was weak. Nobles sometimes controlled the king and fought among themselves. To protect lands and position, nobles developed feudalism.

The Feudal System Political ties where powerful nobles, such as kings, gave land—also called a fief--to less powerful nobles or vassals. Vassal provided services, such as knights, foot soldiers, and arms for battle, to the king in exchange for land. The fief was a manor consisting of a house or castle, farmland, villages, and church.

Manorialism Peasants farmed and lived on manors; however, they didn’t own the land. Lord received food and labor in exchange for protecting the peasants on his manor. Serfs: Peasants who belonged to the fief they lived on. They were not slaves but couldn’t come and go as they pleased.

Castle Life Nobles had more power than peasants. The differences between the rich and poor weren’t very large. Castles were built for defense and not for comfort. Few windows and thick stone walls. Rooms were cold, damp, smoky, and dark. Lice and other pests were everywhere. No indoor plumbing.

Peasant Life Lived outside the castle walls in houses with dirt floors and straw roofs. Owned very little furniture. Farm animals were often kept in the houses. Worked two or three days a week for their lord by harvesting crops, repairing roads and bridges, etc. Worked the rest of the week on their plots of land. No one worked during religious holidays.

The Growth of Medieval Towns Life started improving in the 11th century. New farming methods increased the food supply and population. Farm workers left the farms and moved to town and created centers of trade. With increased population, more people owned property and started businesses.

Guilds or Business Associations Protected workers’ rights. Set wages and prices. Settled disputes. Similar to modern-day trade unions. Membership required for citizens who wanted to hold public elective office.

The Late Middle Ages Over time, towns grew in size, power, and wealth. Citizens established local governments and elected leaders.

Governments Challenge the Church Pope insisted he had supreme authority over all Christian lands. Kings and other government leaders did not agree. This issue is still discussed in modern times!

The Magna Carta Rulers of Western Europe also struggled for power with members of the nobility. In England, nobles rebelled against King John, and in 1215 forced him to sign the Magna Carta or Great Charter. Document limited the king’s power and gave nobles a greater role in the government.

The End—Questions?