Effects of Constant Invasions and War in Western Europe
Germanic invaders attack western Roman Empire in 400sFighting disrupts trade and gov't; people abandon cities Marks the beginning of the Middle Ages-period from 500 to 1500
The Decline of Learning
As cities are abandoned, level of learning declines Knowledge of Greek language and culture is almost completely lost Loss of a common language Introduction to a German language changes Latin; dialects develop
Germanic Kingdoms Emerge
Years of invasion & chaos between 400-600Germanic kingdoms replace Roman ProvincesContinual wars change borders between kingdomsThe Church provides order and security
Papal power expands under Gregory the first
In 590 Gregory I becomes pope Under Gregory, church becomes secular Popes palace becomes center of Roman government Uses church money to raise armies, care for poorEstablishes a Christendom
An Empire in Europe's kingdoms
The Frank's control largest and strongest of Europes many kingdomsBy 511, Frankish rule extends over what is now France
Charles Martel-Charles the Hammer
Most powerful official in kingdom is Major DomoIn 719, major Domo Charles Martel becomes more powerful then King Defeats Muslims from Spain at Battle of Tours in 732; becomes a Christian hero Son, Pepin, begins Carolingian Dynasty
Charlemagne Becomes Emperor
From Pepin to Charlemagne Pepin dies in 768, leaves kingdom to two sons; in 771 one son dies Second son Charlemagne, rules kingdom
Charlemagne expands Frankish rule
Charlemagnes armies reunite Western Europe, spread ChristianityIn 800, Charlemagne travels to Rome to protect Pope Leo III from mobsPope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor and gives him his title as Roman Empire
Charlemagne Leads a revival
Charlemagne limits nobles power by governing empire through Counts Encourages learning and orders monasteries to open schools
Charlemagne's successors
Charlemagne dies in 814; his sons Louis and Pious, rules poorly Louis's three grandsons fight for control of empire In 843 they divide empire into three kingdoms; sign treaty of Verdun
The Vikings Invade from the North
Warlike Vikings raid Europe from Scandinavia-Denmark, Norway, SwedenViking long ships sail in shallow water, allowing raids inland Eventually, many Vikings adopt Christianity and become farmers
Feudalism Structures Society
850-950, feudalism emergesA lord gives fiefs in exchange for services Vassals become powerful landholders
The Feudal Pyramid
Power in feudal system much like a pyramid, with King at topKings served by nobles who are served by Knights Peasants at bottom Knights defend their lords land in exchange for fiefs
Social Classes
Medieval feudal system classifies people into three social groups -Those who fight (nobles and Knights)-Those who pray (Monks nuns leaders of the church)-Those who work (peasants)Social class is usually inherited; majority of people are peasantsMost peasants are serfsSerfs aren't shaved but what they produce belongs to their lords
Manors: The Economic side of feudalism-the lords estate
The lords estate, a manor, has an economic system Serfs and free peasants maintain the lords estate, give grain The lord provides housing, farmland and protection from bandits
A self-sufficient society
Medieval manors include Lords house, church, workshops, villages, mill etc. manors cover a few square miles of land, are largely self sufficient
The Hard Life on the Manor
Peasants pay taxes to use mill and bakery; pay a tithe to the priestTithe is equal to one tenth of a peasants income Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt floors, straw beds Daily grind of raising crops, livestock, feeding and clothing family Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years Serfs generally accept their lived as Gods Plans