The Early Middle Ages
The Middle Ages ( CE) After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe went through DISORDER and CHANGE! Development of Western Culture Classical heritage of Rome Christian beliefs Customs of Germanic tribes Middle Ages or Medieval Period – Middle of what?
German Invasions Running From Huns South: Ostrogoths, Vandals England: Angles and Saxons Germany: Franks Spain: Visigoths Europe c. 500 C.E.
Anglo-Saxons England From Denmark & Germany Conquer Britons Splintered kingdoms
Increasing Power of Church Priests are educated class Convert Germanic tribes St. Patrick – Ireland St. Boniface – Germany Serve religious & social needs Power over kings & nobles Excommunication
Frankish Rulers Germanic peoples shape post-Roman Europe!
Clovis and the Merovingians Clovis ( ) Conquered France (called Gaul) Converted to Christianity Founder of Merovingian dynasty
Carolingian Dynasty Charles Martel Pepin the Short Gets Pope’s support Becomes King of Franks Took Italy from Lombards Gives land to Pope (Papal States) Son is Charlemagne
Charlemagne - ruled for 46 Years!! Wants to unite all Christian lands and create a “new Roman Empire” Includes most of Western Europe Anointed Holy Roman Emperor Crowned on Christmas day in 800 Byzantines protest
more Charlemagne… Government and Culture All must accept Christianity Supports learning Churches, roads, and schools Roaming judges check on empire New Bible
Charlemagne and Harun al-Rashid exchanging gifts - Franks: Spanish horses, cloaks, hunting dogs Abassids: silks, perfume, a water clock, and an albino elephant named Abul Abbas
Yep, still Charlemagne Death in Treaty of Verdun splits empire among 3 grandsons France, Germany, Italy Progress ruined by Vikings Feudalism follows
Feudalism
Invasions Vikings by boat From Scandanavia Attack all over Europe Along coast and sail up rivers Settle in Russia, Britain, France Magyars on horseback From Hungary Pillage from Greece to Spain Knights stop invasions Both convert to Christianity St. Stephen I First King of Hungary
Invasions disrupt trade Lords and Knights provide protection Manors Towns decline Feudalism strengthened Rise of Feudalism
Knights Heavily armored horses lances Disadvantages expensive long training Chivalry Code of behavior Courage, fairness, loyalty, courteous
Feudalism (political and social system) Lords – leader/higher rank Grant land (fief) to vassal Vassal lower lord promises loyalty and military service to lord Serfs Peasants legally bound to land
Manorial System (economy) Manor Large farming estate Support Lord and knights Peasants (serfs) work land Part for self /part for lord
Medieval Manor
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