The Early Middle Ages
The Middle Ages ( CE) After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe went through DISORDER and CHANGE! Development of Western Culture Classical heritage of Rome Christian beliefs Customs of Germanic tribes Middle Ages or Medieval Period – Middle of what?
German Invasions c. 500 C.E Running From Huns South: Ostrogoths, Vandals England: Angles and Saxons Germany: Franks Spain: Visigoths Europe c. 500 C.E.
Anglo-Saxons c.420 CE England From Denmark & Germany Conquer Britons Splintered kingdoms
Increasing Power of Church Priests are educated class St. Benedict – monasticism Convert Germanic tribes St. Patrick – Ireland St. Boniface – Germany Serve religious & social needs Power over kings & nobles Excommunication
Frankish Rulers and the Rise of Feudalism
Clovis and the Merovingians Clovis ( ) Conquered France (called Gaul) Converted to Christianity Founder of Merovingian dynasty
Invasions disrupt trade Lords and Knights provide protection Manors Towns decline Feudalism strengthened Rise of Feudalism
Manorial System (economy) Manor Large farming estate Support Lord and knights Peasants (serfs) work land Part for self /part for lord
Medieval Manor
Feudalism (political and social system) Lords – leader/higher rank Grant land (fief) to vassal Vassal lower lord promises loyalty and military service to lord Knights Serfs Peasants legally bound to land
Knights Heavily armored horses lances Disadvantages expensive long training Chivalry Code of behavior Courage, fairness, loyalty, courteous
Carolingian Dynasty Charles Martel (The Hammer) Battle of Tours (732 CE) Pepin the Short Gets Pope’s support Becomes King of Franks Took Italy from Lombards Gives land to Pope (Papal States) Son is Charles…the Great
Charlemagne CE Wants to unite all Christian lands and create a “new Roman Empire” Includes most of Western Europe Anointed Holy Roman Emperor Crowned on Christmas day in 800 Byzantines protest HRE lasts from 800 to 1806 CE!!
more Charlemagne… Government and Culture All must accept Christianity Supports learning Churches, roads, and schools Roaming judges check on empire New Bible
Which figure – Charlemagne or Pope Leo III - is depicted as more powerful in this French illustration from the 1300s? Why might that be so? Pope Leo III Charlemagne
Charlemagne and Harun al-Rashid exchanging gifts - Franks: Spanish horses, cloaks, hunting dogs Abassids: silks, perfume, a water clock, and an albino elephant named Abul Abbas
Yep, still Charlemagne Death in Treaty of Verdun splits empire among 3 grandsons France, Germany, Italy Progress ruined by Vikings Feudalism follows
Invasions Vikings by boat c. 700 to 1100 CE From Scandanavia Attack all over Europe Along coast and sail up rivers Settle in Russia, Britain, France Magyars on horseback c. 893 CE From Hungary Pillage from Greece to Spain Knights stop invasions Both convert to Christianity St. Stephen I First King of Hungary
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