Early Middle Ages

What happened? There are 3 big changes that occurred: There are 3 big changes that occurred: 1. Disruption of trade – businesses collapsed and no trade destroyed cities and economic centers meaning there was no money. 2. The downfall of cities – the Roman Empire fell and their cities were abandoned. 3. Population shifts – nobles retreated to rural areas and the cities were left with no strong leaders leaving many others to flee to the countryside.

The Decline of Learning Germanic invaders in Europe did not read and write. Germanic invaders in Europe did not read and write. In turn, they influenced their Roman subjects and gradually, literacy fell. In turn, they influenced their Roman subjects and gradually, literacy fell. Few people left could read except priests and other church officials. Few people left could read except priests and other church officials.

Loss of a common language With a mix of German and Roman speakers, it caused Latin to change and it was no longer understood from region to region (dialects develop) With a mix of German and Roman speakers, it caused Latin to change and it was no longer understood from region to region (dialects develop)

The Influence of the Church Missionaries succeeded in converting many Germanic peoples to Christianity Missionaries succeeded in converting many Germanic peoples to Christianity In rural communities, the church built religious communities called monasteries. In rural communities, the church built religious communities called monasteries. In monasteries, monks gave up all their private possessions and became servants to God. In monasteries, monks gave up all their private possessions and became servants to God. Likewise, women began to live in communities called convents and became nuns. Likewise, women began to live in communities called convents and became nuns. Monasteries and convents were the best educated communities in Europe. Monasteries and convents were the best educated communities in Europe. Monks opened schools, maintained libraries and copied books. Monks opened schools, maintained libraries and copied books. They are given credit for preserving Greco-Roman cultural achievements. They are given credit for preserving Greco-Roman cultural achievements.

Charlemagne Expands Frankish Rule Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was the son of Pepin the Short. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was the son of Pepin the Short. He expanded the empire greatly He expanded the empire greatly He fought the Muslims in Spain and other Germanic tribes from the lands south and east. He fought the Muslims in Spain and other Germanic tribes from the lands south and east. Through the course of his expansion, he also spread Christianity in those areas. Through the course of his expansion, he also spread Christianity in those areas. He reunited western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire. He reunited western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne goes to Rome In 800, he traveled to Rome to put down a mob attacking the Pope. In 800, he traveled to Rome to put down a mob attacking the Pope. In gratitude, Pope Leo III crowned him emperor. In gratitude, Pope Leo III crowned him emperor. This marked the first time the Pope conferred the title of “Roman Emperor” on a European king. This marked the first time the Pope conferred the title of “Roman Emperor” on a European king.

Government under Charlemagne Limited the authority of the nobles. Limited the authority of the nobles. Sent out royal agents who made sure landowners (counts) governed their counties justly. Sent out royal agents who made sure landowners (counts) governed their counties justly. He regularly visited areas of the kingdom – judging cases, settling disputes and rewarding followers. He regularly visited areas of the kingdom – judging cases, settling disputes and rewarding followers.

Revival of culture Charlemagne encouraged learning throughout the empire. Charlemagne encouraged learning throughout the empire. For his children, he established a palace school. For his children, he established a palace school. Ordered monasteries to build schools to train future monks and priests. Ordered monasteries to build schools to train future monks and priests.

Charlemagne’s heirs One before his death, Charlemagne crowned his son Louis the Pious. One before his death, Charlemagne crowned his son Louis the Pious. He was a very religious man (some believe he would have been a better monk). He was a very religious man (some believe he would have been a better monk). He was an ineffective leader. He was an ineffective leader. He left 3 sons who fought each other and eventually divided his empire. He left 3 sons who fought each other and eventually divided his empire.

Downfall of Charlemagne’s Empire Between 800 and 1000, various invasions destroyed the empire of Charlemagne. Between 800 and 1000, various invasions destroyed the empire of Charlemagne. Angles and Saxons came from Europe to England Angles and Saxons came from Europe to England Muslim invaders from the south seized Sicily, raided Italy and sacked Rome in 846. Muslim invaders from the south seized Sicily, raided Italy and sacked Rome in 846. Magyars from the east took Germany and Italy (current day Hungary) Magyars from the east took Germany and Italy (current day Hungary) Vikings came from the north (Scandinavia) into Russia. Vikings came from the north (Scandinavia) into Russia.

Vikings influence The Vikings were called known as Northmen or Norsemen. The Vikings were called known as Northmen or Norsemen. They often carried out violent raids by beaching ships and striking with swords and using shields and helmets for protection and quickly leaving ships. They often carried out violent raids by beaching ships and striking with swords and using shields and helmets for protection and quickly leaving ships. They were master shipbuilders They were master shipbuilders

Magyar influences The Magyars were nomads from the east who were superb horseback riders. The Magyars were nomads from the east who were superb horseback riders. They did not settle on conquered land, but instead captured people as slaves. They did not settle on conquered land, but instead captured people as slaves. Attacked isolated villages and monasteries. Attacked isolated villages and monasteries. They overran Italy They overran Italy

Foundations of the Medieval Society Classical heritage of Rome Classical heritage of Rome Christian beliefs Christian beliefs Custom of Germanic tribes Custom of Germanic tribes

A New Social Order Due to years of invasions and attacks, rulers created a system of governing and landowning called feudalism. Due to years of invasions and attacks, rulers created a system of governing and landowning called feudalism. Feudalism was based on mutual obligations. Feudalism was based on mutual obligations. In exchange for military protection and other services, a lord, or landowner granted land called a fief. In exchange for military protection and other services, a lord, or landowner granted land called a fief. Person receiving a fief of was a vassal. Person receiving a fief of was a vassal.

Feudal Pyramid King Church & Nobles Knights (defended Lord’s land for fiefs) Peasants The relationship between various lords, and their vassal were never clear cut.

Peasants in the Feudal System The vast majority of people were peasants The vast majority of people were peasants Most peasants were serfs – people who could not lawfully leave the place where they were born. Most peasants were serfs – people who could not lawfully leave the place where they were born. They were NOT slaves They were NOT slaves Wealth of a feudal lord came from the labor of peasants. Wealth of a feudal lord came from the labor of peasants.

Manor The manor was the lord’s estate The manor was the lord’s estate The lord provided serfs with housing and strips of land and protection from bandits. The lord provided serfs with housing and strips of land and protection from bandits. Serfs tended lords land, cared for animals and performed other tasks to maintain the estate. Serfs tended lords land, cared for animals and performed other tasks to maintain the estate. All peasants, free or serf, owed the lord certain duties, including few days labor each week and certain portion of their grain. All peasants, free or serf, owed the lord certain duties, including few days labor each week and certain portion of their grain.

A self contained world Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles from their own manor. Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles from their own manor. A manor usual consisted of lord’s manor house, a church and workshops. A manor usual consisted of lord’s manor house, a church and workshops families lived in a village families lived in a village. Fields, pastures and forests surrounded the village and sometimes a stream or pond ran through the manor providing fish. Fields, pastures and forests surrounded the village and sometimes a stream or pond ran through the manor providing fish.

The manor was a self sufficient community. The manor was a self sufficient community. Serfs and peasants produced all that was needed for daily life. Serfs and peasants produced all that was needed for daily life. Only outside purchases were salt, iron and a few unusual objects like millstone (used to ground flour) Only outside purchases were salt, iron and a few unusual objects like millstone (used to ground flour)

The serfs homes were cottages of 1-2 rooms. The serfs homes were cottages of 1-2 rooms. They warmed homes by bringing pigs in. They warmed homes by bringing pigs in. Slept on a pile of straw. Slept on a pile of straw. Their diet consisted of vegetables, coarse brown bread, grain, cheese and soup. Their diet consisted of vegetables, coarse brown bread, grain, cheese and soup.