The Middle Ages

The Collapse of Trade and Towns Warfare disrupted trade. Towns and Cities declined – Without the empire, no need for cities as centers of administration. City dwellers moved back to the countryside, western Europe became very rural as the population shifted from urban to rural.

Loss of Literacy The “barbarians” who invaded the Germanic Kingdom were illiterate Learning declined as people moved out of the cities By the 600’s priests and clergy were the only Europeans who were literate

Loss of a Common Language Latin declined after the Empire collapsed. Formation of the Romance Languages – different dialects of Latin formed (combo of Latin and languages of the Germanic tribes) By the 800’s – French, Spanish, Italian and other Romance languages had evolved

The Concept of Government Changes Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces – borders were constantly shifting Family ties and personal loyalties replaced public government and public law. Made orderly government for large areas difficult

Alliance Between the Church and the Franks Clovis – Frankish king, converted to Christianity in the 490’s. His conversion created an alliance between the Franks and the Church that would last for centuries. By 600 – Roman Catholic church had converted many Germanic tribes to Christianity.

Europe after the Fall of the Roman Empire

Benedict and the Benedictine Rule THE BENEDICTINE RULE  Must vow to stay for life  Spend 7 hours a day in manual labor  Two hours daily devoted to reading the Bible  Pray and worship 8 times daily  Meals should be limited with no red meat allowed Benedict Italian Monk in the 500’s who developed a strict set of rules for monastic life – called the BENEDICTINE RULE Established a model for religious communities called monasteries for monks and convents for nuns

Role of Monasteries and Convents Stable communities in a time of chaos in Europe Well governed because they followed an orderly written body of rules Most educated communities – operated schools, libraries and copied books Monasteries preserved a large part of Rome’s intellectual heritage with illuminated manuscripts.

Pope Gregory I Became Pope in 590. Expanded the power of the Pope Made the Papacy a political office as well as religious power. Gregory’s palace became the center of Roman government Used church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and relieve the poor – Pope acted as mayor of Rome Sent missionaries to England to spread Christianity among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms Ignored political divisions between kingdoms – had a vision of Christendom – A Christian kingdom ruled by the Pope.

The Frankish Kingdoms and Charles (the Hammer) Martel  In 732 Charles the Hammer Martel met and defeated the Moors (Muslims) in the Battle of Tours in France.  This saved Europe from further Muslim invasion and protected Christianity and the Church.  Frankish Mayor of the Palace (Major Domo)  Held the real power of the Frankish Kingdom  Commanded Frankish Army

Pepin and Establishment of the Carolingian Dynasty  Succeeded his father Charles Martel as Mayor of the Palace.  He defeated the Lombards who were threatening Italy and the Church.  He gave the land of the Lombards to the Church. This became the Papal States.  Appointed by the Pope as King of the Franks.  Pepin established the Carolingian dynasty.

Charlemagne (Charles the Great)

 Succeeded his father Pepin as King.  Considered the greatest of medieval kings.  United all Frankish lands under his rule.  His empire was larger than any since the Roman Empire.  Divided his land into counties administered by counts.

Charlemagne’s Empire

Charlemagne (Charles the Great)  Greatly interested in learning and started schools to bring literacy back to Europe.  Crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire on Christmas Day in 800.  His son Louis the Pious inherited the Empire. After he died his kingdom split among his three sons (Charlemagne’s grandsons)  Lothair – Central (Italy, Switzerland)  Charles the Bald – West (France)  Louis the German – East (Germany)  They fought each other and in 843 signed the Treaty of Verdun dividing the empire.

Division of the Frankish Empire Treaty of Verdun 843 After the death of the three brothers the Carolingian kings lost power and central authority broke down. A new system of governing and landowning called Feudalism emerged

The Holy Roman Empire

Europe in the 1300’s

Growth of England and France