The Middle Ages in Europe (Medieval Europe)

The Dark Ages 500 A.D. – 800 A.D. Germanic barbarians destroyed Rome and the Roman way of life which led to fall of the Roman Empire. Germanic barbarians destroyed Rome and the Roman way of life which led to fall of the Roman Empire. During this time civilization declined in Europe. During this time civilization declined in Europe.

Early Middle Ages The Germanic people who conquered the Romans divided themselves into the following tribes: The Germanic people who conquered the Romans divided themselves into the following tribes: 1. Visigoths 2. The Franks 3. Anglo-Saxons

Early Middle Ages The Great European Plain: This plain stretches across most of Northern Europe. Farmers during this time learned to farm the plains by clearing forests, inventing a heavy iron plow, and by using oxen to pull their plows. Farmers were able to raise a surplus of food.

Early Middle Ages Charlemagne: Son of Pepin the Short, he ruled most of Western Europe by 800. He built the largest empire in Europe since the time of Rome. His name means “Charles the Great.” His empire did not last long after his death in 814 because his grandsons fought over who would rule.

Early Middle Ages Alfred the Great: Was the ruler of Wessex (a kingdom in Southern Was the ruler of Wessex (a kingdom in SouthernEngland). He raised an army to defeat the Danish (people from Denmark) and invaded their kindgdom. He raised an army to defeat the Danish (people from Denmark) and invaded their kindgdom. He worked hard to strengthen his kingdom and improve learning. He worked hard to strengthen his kingdom and improve learning.

The Church in the Middle Ages By 1000 A.D., most of Europe was Christian. By 1000 A.D., most of Europe was Christian. In every town or village there was a church and daily life was centered around the church bells. In every town or village there was a church and daily life was centered around the church bells. The priest was an important part of village life. The priest was an important part of village life.

Monks and Nuns Monks: men who lived in monasteries who devoted their lives to God. Monks: men who lived in monasteries who devoted their lives to God. Nuns: women who lived in convents who devoted their lives to God. Nuns: women who lived in convents who devoted their lives to God. Monks & Nuns lived by strict rules. They spent most of their time in work, prayer, and study. These two groups made up what is known as the clergy. Monks & Nuns lived by strict rules. They spent most of their time in work, prayer, and study. These two groups made up what is known as the clergy.

Monks & Nuns During the middle ages, they converted most of Europe to Christianity. During the middle ages, they converted most of Europe to Christianity. In most towns, only monks & nuns could read and write. They helped people learn. In most towns, only monks & nuns could read and write. They helped people learn.

The Crusades Series of holy wars fought between many Christians in Europe (known as the Crusaders) who wanted to fight for the Christian way of life against the Muslims. Series of holy wars fought between many Christians in Europe (known as the Crusaders) who wanted to fight for the Christian way of life against the Muslims. They drove the Muslims out for some time but they eventually returned. They drove the Muslims out for some time but they eventually returned.

How did the Crusades change Europe? The Crusaders found that Muslim leaders could be civilized and well educated. The Crusaders found that Muslim leaders could be civilized and well educated. Seasoning of food with spices developed so trade increased. Seasoning of food with spices developed so trade increased. Desire for silk clothing Desire for silk clothing Since trade flourished, it helped cities to grow & develop. Since trade flourished, it helped cities to grow & develop.

The Power of the Church If people broke the rules of the church, they were excommunicated (cut off from the church). This was terrible for these people because all hope of going to heaven was now gone. If people broke the rules of the church, they were excommunicated (cut off from the church). This was terrible for these people because all hope of going to heaven was now gone. There was a struggle for power between the pope and the king during the middle ages. There was a struggle for power between the pope and the king during the middle ages.

Feudalism The system of government/social organization developed during the middle ages. The system of government/social organization developed during the middle ages. The king had most of the power. The king had most of the power. Under the king, was the noble class which went lords, knights, and vassals. Under the king, was the noble class which went lords, knights, and vassals. Under the noble class were the church officials. Under the noble class were the church officials. At the bottom was the townspeople and serfs and peasants. At the bottom was the townspeople and serfs and peasants.

Feudal System Lord: land owner, a king or powerful noble Lord: land owner, a king or powerful noble Vassal: promised to serve & obey the lord. Many knights were vassals. Vassal: promised to serve & obey the lord. Many knights were vassals. Church officials: priests, bishops, etc. Church officials: priests, bishops, etc. Townspeople: merchants, farmers, craftsmen, etc. Townspeople: merchants, farmers, craftsmen, etc. Serfs/Peasants: poorest class, farmers who lived & worked on the land Serfs/Peasants: poorest class, farmers who lived & worked on the land

The rise of nations in Europe Later in the Middle Ages, feudalism began to die out and kings began to build modern nations (countries). Later in the Middle Ages, feudalism began to die out and kings began to build modern nations (countries). Some of these modern nations that began were England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Norway, & sweden. Some of these modern nations that began were England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Norway, & sweden. England was the first country to unite under a strong monarchy (a govt. headed by a king or queen). England was the first country to unite under a strong monarchy (a govt. headed by a king or queen).

The Magna Carta During the reign of King John in England in the early 13 th century, the nobles rebelled against him and forced him to sign a charter (an agreement that gives you certain rights). During the reign of King John in England in the early 13 th century, the nobles rebelled against him and forced him to sign a charter (an agreement that gives you certain rights). This charter became know as the Magna Carta or the Great Charter. This charter became know as the Magna Carta or the Great Charter.

What did the Magna Carta say? The king could not collect taxes unless agreed upon by a council. The king could not collect taxes unless agreed upon by a council. Gave the accused the right to a fair trial. Gave the accused the right to a fair trial. Most importantly, it put limits on the king’s power. Most importantly, it put limits on the king’s power.

The Parliament Began in England in Began in England in Was a council that included representatives of small landowners & townspeople. Was a council that included representatives of small landowners & townspeople. At first the parliament had little power, but later they gained power to pass laws in England. At first the parliament had little power, but later they gained power to pass laws in England.

The Bubonic Plague (Black Death) This widespread illness spread through Europe in the late 1340’s. This widespread illness spread through Europe in the late 1340’s. The plague killed so many people that the population in Europe was almost cut in half!! The plague killed so many people that the population in Europe was almost cut in half!!

The Hundred Years War War between France & England in the late Middle Ages that lasted 100 years. War between France & England in the late Middle Ages that lasted 100 years. The reason for the war was mainly over land. The reason for the war was mainly over land. While the English won many important battles, the French eventually drove the English out and won the war. While the English won many important battles, the French eventually drove the English out and won the war.

Joan of Arc In 1429, this 17-year-old peasant girl asked to see the king of France. She told him she had been hearing voices from heaven & that she had been ordered to save France. In 1429, this 17-year-old peasant girl asked to see the king of France. She told him she had been hearing voices from heaven & that she had been ordered to save France. The king put her at the head of the army which gave them hope. The king put her at the head of the army which gave them hope. Joan was captured & burned to death by the English. This angered the people of France and united them together. Joan was captured & burned to death by the English. This angered the people of France and united them together.

Joan of Arc

Change & the development of new ideas provided the people with a chance of growth while the time of the Middle Ages came to an end. Change & the development of new ideas provided the people with a chance of growth while the time of the Middle Ages came to an end.

Questions to Ponder: What is feudalism and how did it affect the people of the Middle Ages? What is feudalism and how did it affect the people of the Middle Ages? What made Charlemagne so successful? What made Charlemagne so successful? How were the people of the Middle Ages influenced by the Church? How were the people of the Middle Ages influenced by the Church? Why was the Magna Carta so important? Why was the Magna Carta so important? What replaced feudalism as the main form of government? What replaced feudalism as the main form of government?