1. Middle Ages Notes #1 AD

2. I. End of the Roman Empire (476 AD)
A. Barbarian Invasions and the collapse of the Roman Government .

3. I. End of the Roman Empire (476 AD)
B. Results in the Dark Ages or Medieval Period
( AD)
1. Violence, slaughter, insecurity
2. Collapse of trade
3. Decline and destruction of towns
4. Loss of literacy and common language
5. Decline of education

4. II. Decentralization of Authority
A. Power remains with local lords 1. Feudalism (political organization) a. Kings depend on nobles for military service b. Lords (nobles) control the manor (economy) c. Self-sufficiency of the manor 1. Everything produced on the individual manor

6. II. Decentralization of Authority
A. Power remains with local lords
2. Society held together by feudal and manorial obligations; local, rather than state loyalties.

7. III. Medieval Society A. Classical heritage of Rome.
B. Christian beliefs
C. Customs of Germanic tribes (Northern Europe,
England, Germany=Christmas tree, Netherlands)

8. IV. The Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church grew in importance after
Roman authority declined after 476 AD.
1. It became the unifying force in Western Europe.
B. During the Middle Ages, the Pope anointed the Holy
Roman Emperors, missionaries carried Christianity to the
Church served the social, political and religious needs of
the people.

9. V. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman (Secular) authority declined, while church authority grew.
1. Monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements. (Monks copied the books, no print)
2. Missionaries carried Christianity and the Latin alphabet to Germanic tribes.
3. Parish priests served the religious and social needs of the people

10. V. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church

11. V. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church
B. The Bishop of Rome (Pope) became the strongest political
leader in Europe.
1. Claimed spiritual authority over all Christians because the Apostle Peter was the first Bishop.
2. Catholic Church taught that all were sinners and must participate in the sacraments, Baptism, confirmation, matrimony, anointing the sick.
3. The Pope anointed Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor in 800 A.D.

12. V. Influence of the Roman Catholic Church
B. The Bishop of Rome (Pope) became the strongest political
leader in Europe.