Age of Charlemagne

What are the ‘Middle Ages’? The time after the Roman Empire declined Medieval Europe was fragmented after the Germanic Tribes took over

Germanic Customs Germanic invaders could not read or write so learning declined Germanic tribes did have a rich oral tradition of songs and legends but NO WRITTEN language No common language since Latin began to change from region to region

Christianity Germanic tribes adopted Christianity Monasteries – communities of nuns and monks who were servants of God –They were Europe’s best educated –They opened schools

Christianity –Maintained libraries –Copied important books: this preserved Greco- Roman cultural achievements

The Carolingian Dynasty Charles Martel – Expanded Frankish power and became more powerful than the king His son Pepin the Short was anointed by the Pope as king by the grace of God This began what is known as the reign of the Carolingian Dynasty = time of Frankish rulers

Charles the Great He was 6ft 4inches = taller than many in Europe AKA Charlemagne Becomes king of the Francs Quickly controlled the entire kingdom of the Francs Spread Christianity and reunited western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire

Age of Charlemagne He regularly visited every part of his kingdom Limited the power of the nobles Encouraged learning which revived Roman Culture The Pope crowned him Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire After he died his united kingdom fell apart

MORE INVASIONS! From 800 to 1000 the Magyar warriors terrorized Germany and Italy From the north, the Vikings attacked Vikings attacked with quick speed. –They beached their ships, attacked, then shoved out to sea again –They were also traders and explorers (Leif Ericson) –Impressive warships

The Middle Ages Feudalism

A New Social Order: Feudalism Feudalism Structures Society –After Charlemagne, feudalism emerges—political system based on land control A NOBLE lord (landowner) gives fiefs (land grants) in exchange for services NOBLE Vassals—people who receive fiefs— become powerful landholders –This is an arrangement between NOBLES!!!

Feudalism Rises A system of landholding and governing It was based on an exchange of protection for other services

The Feudal System& Manor System Monarchs/kings (feudal system) Lord/high ranking nobles (Feudal system) Vassals/knight/lower ranking nobles (feudal system) Peasants (free and serfs) (manor system) Loyalty and military service Labor/food land Land/protection protection

A New Social Order: Feudalism Social Classes Are Well Defined –Medieval feudal system classifies people into categories those who fight: noble lords & knights – FEUDAL SYSTEM those who work: peasants (free and serfs) – MANOR SYSTEM those who pray: monks, nuns, leaders of the Church –Social class is usually inherited majority of people are peasants –Serfs generally accept their lives as part of God’s plan

Feudal Society Rigid (strict) class structure FiefLand given to a Vassal from a Lord VassalThe person receiving the fief SerfPeasants who work the land

Noble Vassals Nobles with less power than lords Trained as knight starting at age 7 –Page (about age 7)- education in chivalry Code of chivalry -MANNERS –Obedience (to lords, respect for noblewomen, honor church) –Helping those in trouble –Honesty and honor in battle –Squire (about age 14) –knight/servant in training –Knight (early 20s)

Pledged loyalty and military service to lords FOR LIFE in “act of homage” ceremony –Military service most important Defensive battles = serve as long as necessary Offensive battles = after 6 weeks = extra pay! Typically did not fight in winter/fall

–Give advice (when asked), financial help (marriage, battles), need approval to give land to the church –Received protection (i.e. strength in numbers) and fiefs –Participate in tournaments for sport, exercise, and 1-1 battle

Peasants Majority of people Basic, crowded, wood frame cottages with thatched roofs, dirt floors, straw for beds Worked year round –Harvest grain, oats, barley, peas, beans, slaughter livestock, shear sheep, tend vegetable gardens, etc.. –Carpenters, shoemakers, metalworkers, etc.. –BREAKs during Catholic feast days/holidays

Attended Sunday worship services Women –Work in fields AND raise children –Prepared food for family! Bread, vegetables, milk, nuts, fruit, eggs, meat, ale to drink, pork –Used herbs to make food taste better when not fresh Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make life expectancy 35 years

Had to pay taxes whenever lord needed money Fee to marry Had to use the lord’s mill & bakery –And pay! pay a tithe to priest –Tithe—a church tax—is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income

Peasants – majority of people Free –Paid lord for use of land (in food) –Could leave at will –Could be forced to leave Serfs (most peasants) –people lawfully bound to place of birth (property/prisoners of land) –Can’t move, marry, own property without lord’s permission –Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce belongs to their lord –Guaranteed protection (Lord had a duty to protect) –Can’t be bought, sold, or kicked off land

The Manor System: The Economic Side of Feudalism The Lord’s Estate/Manor has an economic need (manor system) –Serfs and free peasants maintain the lord’s estate, pay rent & taxes with food/labor –The lord provides housing, farmland, protection

Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism A Self-Contained World –Medieval manors include lord’s manor house/castle, church, workshops, village –Manors can cover a few square miles of land- like a privately owned village –This system allows manors to be self- sufficient and produce everything needed for survival

Manors The manor is the lord’s estate The manor system is an economic arrangement that is self- sufficient

Manors Lord provides housing, strips of farmland, and protection from bandits In return, serfs tend the lands, cared for his animals, and maintained the estate/manor

Life on the Manor Rarely traveled more than 25 miles from the manor Generally families lived in the village on a manor Everything needed such as food, clothes, fuel, lumber and leather goods were produced on the manor Only outside purchases were salt, iron and unusual objects