Middle Ages Chapter 13

I. Development of Germany ► Middle Ages: medieval period (AD ) A. Invasions of Western Europe 1.Disruption of Trade 2.Downfall of cities 3.Population shifts 4.Decline of learning 5.Loss of common language

Development of Germany (cont’d) B. Germanic Kingdoms Emerge 1.Replaced Roman Provinces 2.Government changed from written laws (Rome) to rule by tradition and loyalty to German Chiefs C. Germans adopt Christianity 1.Missionaries 2.Monasteries 3.Rules for monks

II. Rulers of Germany A. Clovis: Leader of Franks (people from Gaul; est. large kingdom) ► Spread Christianity B. Charles Martel: Mayor of Palace; unofficially ruled kingdom  Battle of Tours (ended Muslim threat to Europe) ► Carolingian Dynasty: ruled Franks from C. Pepin: CM’s son; anointed “King by the Grace of God” by the Pope

Rulers of Germany (cont’d) D. Charlemagne: “Charles the Great” ► Reunited Empire (greatest since Rome) ► Defeated Muslims; spread Christianity ► “Roman Emperor” by Pope; signified joining of Germanic Power, church, and Roman heritage ► Greatest accomplishment: encouraged learning

Rulers of Germany (cont’d) E. Pope Gregory I ► Broadened Papal authority ► Became secular (worldly) leader (politics) ► Used church $ to raise armies, repair roads, help poor, negotiate peace treaties

III. Attacks on Western Europe A. Vikings: ► Germanic peoples from North ► Eric Bloodaxe, Thorfinn Skullsplitter ► Fast raids, incredible warships ► Reign of terror ended when they converted to Christianity; warmer climate led to ag. (1000)

Attacks on Western Europe (cont’d) B. Magyars and Muslims ► Magyars: nomadic peoples from East (800) ► Superb horsemen ► Muslims: attacked from South ► 700: planned to conquer and settle ► 900: plundered ► Struck from sea * Attacks from all 3 caused widespread panic and suffering. People stopped looking to central ruler and looked to whoever could defend them

IV. Feudalism ► Political system where nobles use land but owe loyalty to the king ► System has a lord (landowner) who grants fief (land) to a vassal (person receiving land) in exchange for military service and protection ► Knights: mounted horsemen who pledge to defend their lord’s lands in exchange for fief

Feudalism (cont’d)

► Serfs: peasants; could not lawfully leave the place they were born  Majority of people  Not slaves; could not be bought or sold  What they produced belonged to the lord

Feudalism (cont’d) ► Manor: lord’s estate; basic economic arrangement ► Specifics of the Manor  Several square miles  Contained house, church, workshops  Self-sufficient

Feudalism (cont’d) ► Life on the Manor:  Lord gave serf: housing, farmland, and protection  In return, Serfs tended land, cared for animals, maintained estate  Peasants didn’t travel  Paid taxes on everything (wood, grain, mill, marriage, etc)  Owed tithe: church tax

V. Standards & Technology of Knights ► Technology:  Stirrups, saddles ► Role: defend territory of lord ► Code of Chivalry:  Display courage and loyalty  Defend 3 masters: feudal lord, heavenly Lord, and chosen lady

Standards & Technology of Knights (cont’d) ► Training:  Sons of nobles  Age 7—sent to another castle --Page: waits on hosts/ practices fighting skills  14—squire: servant to a knight  21—Full-fledged Knight

VI. Role of Women ► Most powerless (like most men) ► Noblewomen:  Could inherit estate  Could send knights to war  Act as commander and warrior (throws rocks and arrows)  Most limited; confined to house

Women (cont’d) ► Peasant women:  Majority  Endless labor

VII. Literature ► Themes: brutality of knighthood and warfare  Love stories  Glorified chivalry  Heroes (king Arthur) ► Troubadours: traveling poet musicians

VIII. The Church’s Role ► Became powerful b/c of weak central govt. 1. Structure: Pope= head of church  clergy=bishops and priests ► Canon Law: church law followed by everyone ► Sacraments: important religious ceremonies ► Manor system divided people; church bonded them

The Church’s Role (cont’d) 2. Power:  When Charlemagne crowned Roman Emperor, unknowingly set stage for future conflicts ► Otto I: most effective ruler of Germany  Invaded Italy b/c Pope said so  Crowned Emperor of Holy Roman Empire: strongest kingdom from Charlemagne's fallen empire (Germany and Italy)

IX. Conflict with the Church ► Church not happy that kings had control over the clergy ► Lay Investure: ceremony where kings and nobles appointed church officials  Pope felt kings should not have that power ► Pope Gregory VII banned lay investure in 1075

IX. Conflict with the Church Lay investiture – King can determine who the bishops of the church

Conflict with the Church (cont’d) ► King Henry IV: ordered Pope Gregory VII to step down. Gregory refused and excommunicated Henry. ► Henry eventually forgiven ► Concordat of Worms: compromise that allowed church alone to appoint clergy, but kings held a veto power.

X. Disorder ► By 1172, Germany needs a strong ruler  Choose Frederick I “Barbarosa”  Forceful personality, brutal tactics; invades Italy  Knights defeated by Italians (Battle of Legnano)  Fredrick I dies 1190; empire falls apart ► The inability to unite the Germanic kingdoms allows France and England to establish strong central authorities.