Early Middle Ages A.D.

Three Roots 1) Classical Roman Heritage 1) Classical Roman Heritage 2) Roman Catholic Church 2) Roman Catholic Church 3) Customs of multiple German tribes 3) Customs of multiple German tribes

“The Dark Ages” Constant Warfare Constant Warfare –Disrupted trade –Towns declined/ rise of feudal system –Decline of literacy  Barbarians could not read or write  Romans lost literacy due to moving to countryside  By 600 Priests were only literate Europeans  Multiple dialects also emerged causing communication issues

The Church Expands Power The church soon expanded its power into the political arena. Pope gave king credibility Pope gave king credibility In return, King provided military protection to Roman lands In return, King provided military protection to Roman lands Kings crowned by Pope Kings crowned by Pope Pope gained control of Papal States Pope gained control of Papal States

Sources of Expanding Power Literacy Literacy Heaven Heaven St. Patrick St. Patrick –Missonary who convinced Clovis, King of Franks, to convert Monasteries Monasteries –Community of Prayer –Men in Monastery & Women in Convent –Rules of Monastic living designed by Benedict and sister Scholastica Gregory I Gregory I –Pope who strengthened vision of Christendom –Made papacy office of political and spiritual life.  Negotiated Peace treaties with Barbarians  Wrote Religious Books

Monk Writing Manuscript Manuscripts had to be copied by hand usually in scriptorium in the monastery before invention of printing press. Manuscripts had to be copied by hand usually in scriptorium in the monastery before invention of printing press.

St. Patrick

Benedict & Monastic Life

Gregory I & Christendom

Rise of Charlemagne Divine Right Divine Right –Charlemagne believed his power came from God Great Warrior Great Warrior –Spread Empire larger than had been know since Roman Empire Loved Learning Loved Learning –ordering schools and libraries to be built –Allowing Jews in his kingdom b/c they were literate

Greater Split with Churches In 800 took troops to Rome to protect Pope from an uprising In 800 took troops to Rome to protect Pope from an uprising Pope placed crown on Charlemagne, declaring him Emperor Pope placed crown on Charlemagne, declaring him Emperor Byzantine Empire furious because they claimed their ruler was only true Emperor of Rome Byzantine Empire furious because they claimed their ruler was only true Emperor of Rome Roman Catholic and Greek (Eastern) Orthodox increase tensions Roman Catholic and Greek (Eastern) Orthodox increase tensions

Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses Three Grandsons argue over his Empire and go to Civil War Three Grandsons argue over his Empire and go to Civil War Finally Agree to Treaty of Verdun Finally Agree to Treaty of Verdun New Invaders attack and plunder, most dreaded… The Vikings! New Invaders attack and plunder, most dreaded… The Vikings!

Vikings Invade For 2 centuries Vikings plundered Europe For 2 centuries Vikings plundered Europe

Viking Warrior

Viking Terror Ends for 3 Reasons Europeans became better at defending themselves from Viking raids Europeans became better at defending themselves from Viking raids Vikings converted to Christianity Vikings converted to Christianity Climate warmed making farming easier in northern parts of Europe Climate warmed making farming easier in northern parts of Europe

Rise of Feudalism Feudalism: Political and Military System based on land holding Feudalism arose from the disappearance of cities Feudalism arose from the disappearance of cities Fear of the Barbarians Fear of the Barbarians Emphasis on Local Government, Local Protection, Self-sufficiency Emphasis on Local Government, Local Protection, Self-sufficiency

The Players in the Feudal System Lords & Vassals Lords & VassalsKing Duke Bishop Earls Knights Priests Knights Knights Priests Knights Free peasantsF.P. Free Peasants Free peasantsF.P. Free Peasants SerfsSerfs Serfs

The Heart of the Feudal System Oath between Lord and Vassal which traded physical loyalty for land Oath between Lord and Vassal which traded physical loyalty for land –Investiture –But was the Heart Broken? –Knights often gave loyalty to more than one Vassal. This became a problem when the 2 Vassals went to war with one another.

The Land Fief: usually a few square miles Fief: usually a few square miles Manor: a self-sufficient portion of the fief Manor: a self-sufficient portion of the fief –Ideally on a stream or river for fishing/ food –1/3 for growing grain –Another area for animals to pasture –Rest was forest

Manor

Fief

A day in the Life Kings– Enjoying parties, sports, hunting Kings– Enjoying parties, sports, hunting Clergy– Tending to multiple Fiefs/ Manors, tending to church, involved in politics, lived good life Clergy– Tending to multiple Fiefs/ Manors, tending to church, involved in politics, lived good life Nobles– Tending to multiple Fiefs/ Manors & spending time in King’s court Nobles– Tending to multiple Fiefs/ Manors & spending time in King’s court Knights– fighting and tending to Manor Knights– fighting and tending to Manor Free Peasants– Could leave land but owed more than ½ of income ($ and grain, etc.) to lord Free Peasants– Could leave land but owed more than ½ of income ($ and grain, etc.) to lord Peasants– Serfs, not bought and sold or traded like slaves, but couldn’t leave land Peasants– Serfs, not bought and sold or traded like slaves, but couldn’t leave land

Medieval King’s Castle

Medieval Peasant’s Home

Rules of the Game Object: To survive Object: To survive Deadly Scenarios: Deadly Scenarios: –Viking Attack: to block, must have 5 knights to defend you. If not, you die, and fiefs go back to Lord. –Moor Attack: Must have 7 knights –Famine: Knights must have 8 Fiefs, Kings 15 –Disease: You can die of disease at any time Knight or King may declare war on any other person. Group with greater # of people wins. Winners take fraction of losers land (determined by me). Knight or King may declare war on any other person. Group with greater # of people wins. Winners take fraction of losers land (determined by me).