The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

The Dark Ages (?) On a blank piece of paper, draw a mind map. Put the words “Dark Ages” in the middle. After looking at the following images, write words or phrases on lines coming out from “Dark Ages” relating to feelings of decay and disorder: 3.2B 3.2C 3.2E 3.2F

What do you think? Now, why do you think that in the early 15th century, some scholars referred to the early Middle Ages as the “Dark Ages?” Write your response on the back of your mind map.

The Franks Germanic people, living along the banks of the Rhine river Society: small groups - loyal to kin

Medieval Europe: Clovis 481 - one of the groups chose Clovis as ruler Clovis ambitious, self-interested, cruel Murdered kinsmen if thought to be competition Was a pagan - kept losing battles Wife was Christian - Clovis converted and won his next battle Conversion unified his kingdom and gave him support from the Pope, the Church, and Christian Romans living among Franks

Medieval Europe: After Clovis Frankish Kings who followed Clovis were poor leaders Next powerful ruler after Clovis – Charlemagne (Charles the Great) Charlemagne had two main goals: Unite all of western Europe under his power Convert all Germanic people to Christianity

Medieval Europe: The Rise of Charlemagne Saw himself as a soldier of Christ Set out to meet his objectives through war Known as cruel and brutal: Fought pagans in north Fought Muslims of Spain in south According to his secretary, Einhard, in 782, after a Saxon revolt, he had 4,500 Saxon rebel leaders beheaded in one day

Medieval Europe: The Rise of Charlemagne In the end, his goals largely met; he almost doubled the size of his kingdom and was more powerful than any ruler western Europe had seen since the time of the Roman Empire Christmas Day, 800, Pope Leo III placed a crown on Charlemagne’s head, declaring him the new Holy Roman Emperor.

Charlemagne’s Rise to Power Background on Franks: Germanic People Lived along Rhine River Loyal to kin Clovis converted to Christianity in 481 Charlemagne’s Created large empire made of self-sufficient manors Counts kept order in his kingdom Made Aachen a new center for learning

Charlemagne’s Rise to Power Steps to Charlemagne’s Rise to Power: Step 1: Converted Germans to Christianity through war. Step 2: Prevented Muslims from expanding in Europe Step 3: Brutally put down a Saxon revolt Charlemagne: large, heavy man with mustache & bright blue eyes. Said to be 6 ‘ 3 ½ “ tall “God Himself has made me king” “By authority of the Church, I crown thee Holy Roman Emperor”

Life Under Charlemagne People taught in church to obey Charlemagne Empire organized in manors, with counts watching over them. Counts had three main jobs: Maintain a small army loyal to Charlemagne Collect taxes Settle disputes

Life Under Charlemagne Minstrels wandered from manor to manor performing songs that glorified Charlemagne and his empire – helped hold empire together by providing a sense of unity Most people could not read or write. Charlemagne made his palace at Aachen a new center for learning. Children of royal officials trained to work in church or palace. Paid scholars to come teach at this school.

Death of Charlemagne Charlemagne died in 814 His three grandsons divided the kingdom into three parts. This eventually weakened the empire and contributed to its collapse Geneology of Charlemagne

The Vikings Also called Norsemen – from Scandinavian lands of northern Europe Seafaring Lived in small villages on coastlines In their language viking = pirate Traders and explorers as well as raiders Used large, dragon carved ships – very intimidating

Viking Raids Who were the vikings? Lifestyle: based on sea; viking = pirate; a-viking=to go on overseas adventure; both sexes wore long hair; married women respected Government: tribal units ruled by a jarl Values: culture of war; blood feuds common Education: not important Religion: worshiped many gods, used crop and animal sacrifices

Viking Raids Where did they raid and why? From Norway And Denmark Coastal villages throughout Europe, plundering, killing, burning & taking prisoners Europe weak after Charlemagne’s empire fell apart Viking longships and weaponry intimidated people of Europe Vikings were experienced sailors, traders & expolorers

Viking Raids What was their impact on Europe? Kept many Europeans in a state of terror Europeans looked to local lords to protect them Contributed to the development of feudalism Viking culture influenced some aspects of life in Europe “We could stop the Viking Raids if we had a strong central government”

Medieval Castles Early castles – motte and bailey Generally uncomfortable and crowded All earth and wood 12th & 13th centuries moved to stone walls Stronger, lasted longer, kept castle warmer in winter Complete description detail for notes using overhead transparency

Why Feudalism? People needed protection in war-like culture they lived in without a strong central government Manor = castle and farming estate of feudal lord Feudalism=system in which services were given in exchange for land Based on system of hierarch – justified by belief that God intended some people to be superior to others.

Structure of Feudalism

Monarchs Monarchs – weaker after Charlemagne, but still considered high authority Gradually lost power to lords and began taking on position of powerful lord of more than one manor

Lords and Nobles Lived on manors in castles Included powerful clergy Hunted, defended manor, oversaw serfs, and settled legal disputes

Vassals Nobles but less powerful than lords Trained knights who began studying art of warfare at age of 7 Promised to follow code of chivalry Lord gave portion of land to vassal in exchange for loyalty and service Lord also promised to take care of knight

Peasants Some peasants were free. They would pay lord for use of land and could leave if they wished. Most were serfs. Serfs were bound to land – essentially prisoners. Not allowed to move from land, own land, or even marry without permission of lord. Lords couldn’t make serfs fight and could not force serfs off of land.

William the Conqueror & the Norman Invasion: Background Death of Edward the Confessor: 1066 – Edward the Confessor, King of England, died without any heirs He had promised his throne to the Duke William of Normandy (French) Harold Godwinsson’s Claim to the English Throne: Anglo-Saxon assembly chose Harold Godwinsson, Edward’s brother-in-law, instead (English) Harold Godwinsson had promised Edward he would support William, but broke his promise

Harold Hardrada’s Claim to the English Throne Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, also had rights to throne and wanted it (Norwegian) His love of fighting (berserking) motivates him to attack England Harold Hadrada described as: The word berserk has survived from the Norsemen’s language. A man who went berserk was seized by a battle-madness far beyond courage; he killed and killed, without mercy, reason or fear, and did not stop until there was nobody left to kill, or until he fell dead himself…Harold, in one word, was berserk: the most celebrated, feared, and admired berserker of that century.

Battle of Stamford Bridge, September 1066 Harold of England met Harold Hardrada of Norway at Stamford Bridge, Sept. 1066. Hardrada was killed, his army defeated

William sneaks in Two days after the Battle at Stamford Bridge, William set sail for England across English channel Harold’s men, tired from battle, had to march 250 miles south & try to replenish themselves before William got there

The Battle of Hastings, October 1066 Harold’s army relies on two-handed battle-ax William’s army uses flurries of arrows Normans win by faking a retreat and then turning and attacking Saxons

Importance of Battle of Hastings Norman culture dramatically changed Saxon traditions French words blended with Anglo-Saxon language Established the feudal system in England Increased the power of the English monarch

Shift in Power to Monarch Monarchy more powerful after William, nobles didn’t like it. King Richard: used large sums of money to finance crusade. During return trip, kidnapped. English people forced to pay large ransom to free him. Richard eventually died in battle. Younger brother, John assumed throne in 1199

King John and the Magna Carta King John, you have angered us by: Raising taxes & forcing us to buy goods at high prices Ordering us to build your palaces Demanding money for your war with France and losing land Engaging in a quarrel with Pope

King John and the Magna Carta King John’s thoughts “if I sign this document…I will be giving power to the lords and the English people” King John’s Personality assumed throne after death of brother, Richard nicknamed “Lackland” because he inherited no land from his father cruel, ignorant, and unpopular nicknamed “Softsword” because poor military leader

King John and the Magna Carta “Great Charter” limited monarch’s power by mandating: No imprisonment without jury trial Consultation with lords before taxing No interference with Church’s authority King had to choose competent officials who understood and obeyed the law themselves

Your Assignment Create a wanted poster for one of the individuals presented in this powerpoint. The poster should list grievances against the individual. The poster should list the benefit of either capturing or forcing this person to do something to rectify the situation he/she has created. The poster must include a drawing of the individual.