1. Early Medieval West

2. 1. Germanic migrations Germanic migrations
Germanic people are originally from the area occupied today by Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany.
They started to move east and south and settled in the borders of the Roman empire.

3. 1. Germanic migrations They were pre-urban tribal societies.
They had a nomadic way of life.
They were allowed to settle in the boundaries of the Roman empire in exchange for offering protection against new invaders.
Some of the groups (Visigoths, Ostrogoths) were Christian and very familiar with Roman customs.

4. 1. Germanic migrations
In the 5th century they crossed the boundaries of the empire, raided its cities, and settled in the new regions forming Germanic kingdoms.

5. 1. Germanic migrations England: Angles, Saxons: Britons/ Old English
Spain: Visigoths: Romanized people: vernacular: Spanish (a Visigoth last name anyone?)
Italy: Ostrogoths: Romanized people: vernacular: Italian
France and Germany: Franks
West: French
East: German

6. 2. General features Government? Economy? Urban or rural society?
Structure of the society?
Religion?
Cultural achievements?

7. 2. General features Monarchies
Economy: barter, agriculture, feudalism.
Rural society due to economy and security
Society: warriors, clergy, serfs.
Consolidation of Christianity
Culture is relegated to monasteries, decline in education.

8. 3. Feudalism Both a political and an economic system
An exchange of land and protection for military service and a share of the produce of the land.
Loyalty to the lord (a sworn Christian oath)
Extremely hierarchical
Based on the existence of isolated independent social entities rather than a centralized government.

9. 4. Anglo-Saxons Rule over the native Britons (Celtic population).
Their language is the origin of modern English.
Beowulf: an epic poem in Old English (Anglo- Saxon)

10. 4. Anglo-Saxon language (Old English)
What percentage of the English vocabulary has a Germanic origin?
A) 20%
B) 40 %
C) 80 %
How often is this vocabulary used in everyday conversation?
Why do you add ‘s at the end of a word? What is the origin of this?
Ex: king’s castle
Cyninges
What is the origin of the remaining 80 % of the English vocabulary?
French and Latin words
Words from British territories: India, Africa…
Not one language in particular but a compound of words from different languages.

11. 5. Charlemagne (768-814) King of the Franks.
First to establish a Christian empire in Europe after the fall of the Roman empire.
Christian, Roman and Germanic influences.

12. 5. Architecture Charlemagne's Palace Chapel (Palantine Chapel)
Octagonal floorplan
oldest cathedral in Europe

13. 5. Monasticism Monasteries: cultural repositories Schools
centers of evangelization
independent economic entities.

14. 5. Music and visual arts Music Painting: Writing: Literature:
Gregorian chants
Painting:
Illuminated manuscripts
Writing:
Carolingian minuscule
Literature:
The song of Roland
In the picture: Charlemagne flanked by Popes From the Sacramentary of Charles the Bald. Mid-ninth century.

15. 6. Code of chivalry Towards women:
Courtly love: idealization of aristocratic women
Among the lords and vassals: honor, loyalty and courage (warrior’s code)

16. 7. Viking civilization
In the 9th and 10th century the Vikings expanded their influence over the coastal areas of Europe.
They settled in Normandy (France). Their descendants invaded England defeating the Anglo-Saxon king Harold in 1066.
French speaking aristocracy/ English speaking substratum.

17. 8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century)
Bayeux Tapestry. The defeat of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold by William the Conqueror of Normandy

18. 8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century)

19. 8. The Bayeux Tapestry (11th century)