The Dark Ages

Dark Ages A. New Germanic Kingdoms 1. Beginning in 3 rd CE Germanic tribes move into Roman territory a. fleeing the Huns from Central Asia b. continue to use Roman structure of gov’t, but forbade Romans to rule 2. Merging of Roman and Germanic traditions after the fall of Rome 3. Italy: Ostrogoths; Spain: Visigoths; Britain: Angles & Saxons 4. Kingdom of the Franks: Gaul a. Military leader Clovis -converted to Christianity -won the support of the RCC -Kingdom split after d. among his sons b. only Germanic kingdom to last a significant period of time

B. Germanic Society 1. Blending of cultures via marriages a. created a new society: Medieval European -extended family: families worked together and protected each other -effected the concept of law: crimes are personal (blood feuds) b. Wergild: “money for a man” -developed to avoid bloodshed -fine paid by wrongdoer to family c. Trial by ordeal -way to determine someone’s guilt via divine forces

C. Charlemagne and the Carolingians 1. Charlemagne (or “Charles the Great”) a. Became king of Frankish kingdom CE b. Expanded kingdom and created the Carolingian Empire -included much of Western & Central Europe c. Ruled through counts (Germanic nobles) -representatives of the king d. Had “spies” called missi dominici -sent out to local districts to ensure his orders were carried out e. Crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 800 CE -symbolized the merging of Roman, Germanic, and Christian elements that would become European Civilization f. Carolingian Renaissance -supported intellectual advancement -somewhat revived interest in Roman and Greek works -brief time when learning occurred during the Dark Ages

D. Feudalism 1. The Invaders (9 th -10 th CE) a. After Charlemagne’s death, Carolingian Empire begins to disintegrate -W/in 30 yrs split into 3 kingdoms b. Muslims invaded the south of France c. Magyars settled in Hungary d. The Vikings (Norsemen) attack all of Europe via land and sea -given a tracked of land in Northern France called Normandy 2. Development of Feudalism a. Due to invasions and end of Carolingians, people frightened for their safety b. Began to barter services for protection -led to a new socio-political and economic system

D. Feudalism (Cont’d) 3. Germanic warriors had personal bonds w/leaders who took care of them (Band of Brothers) -A man who served in a military capacity for a lord was known as a Vassal *vassals given land by lords in return for military support *land given to vassal called a fief *An oath of fealty was given to make it official 4. Over time feudal relationships became increasingly divided and complicated -a strict set of unwritten rules developed around these feudal contracts 5. The nature of the Frankish army changed during this period as well -larger horses and stirrups made it possible for the use of mail and armor (only foot soldiers previously) -Armies now had cavalry who became known as knights

D. Feudalism (Cont’d) 6. Nobility a. An aristocracy would arise that was composed of nobles that had political, social, and economic power -king, duke, earl, count, baron, knight -in some cases later on even bishops and archbishops could hold such titles b. United by noble blood lines and the virtue of being a warrior (knighthood) -social divisions based on wealth and rank c. Tournaments: by the 12 th CE knights fought in contests to display their fighting skills -jousting d. Chivalry: code of conduct and ethics knights were to follow -grew out of influence by the RCC -knights expected to defend the Church and the commoners -Desire for glory and honor, not material reward

E. Role of the Roman Catholic Church (very important and powerful) 1. The Church developed an organizational system by 4 th century a. Eventually the religious leader of Rome became known as the pope (leader of the Church) -territory controlled by pope around Rome called the Papal States 2. Monks (men who choose to live without worldly possessions and pleasures) converted non-Christians in Germanic Europe to Christianity 3. Monasticism: the practice of living life as a monk in a monastery (community of monks) a. Saint Benedict (6 th CE) began a monastery -He wrote the Benedictine Rule: rules that divided the day into a series of activities that emphasized prayer and manual labor -by following his Rule you would become closer to God