The eastern Roman Empire developed independently from the struggling West. The Byzantine Empire excelled as Rome collapsed. Emperor Justinian ruled with his wife Theodora who insisted upon strength and brutality. Emperor Justinian won much of Italy, Spain, and North Africa back from the Vandals and Ostrogoths. Issued the Justinian Code that decided legal questions and guided Byzantine life.

As the Eastern and Western cultures grew separately, so did their religious practices. Emperor Leo III banned the use of icons (religious images). Iconoclasts (“icon breakers”) broke into churches to destroy them and the people rioted. In 1054, the pope and the eastern patriarch (leading bishop) excommunicated (cast out of the church) each other after disagreeing on beliefs causing the a schism or break in the church. The result was the Roman Catholic (East) and Orthodox Church (East)

After Justinian’s death, the empire suffered many setbacks. A plague (killing at its peak 10,000 people a day) lasted about 200 years and killed a large percentage of the population. With the empire weakened, many groups (Avars, Slavs, Bulgars, Persians, Russians, and many Arab Muslim groups) tried to invade and conquer them. Constantinople finally fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453.

Also known as the medieval period or “dark ages” Western Europe (Old Western Roman Empire) Characterized by:  Lack of trade and money  Cities are abandoned  People move into rural areas  Different languages make education (literacy) difficult  The Church provided order and security

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, small independent villages formed ruled by a chief. Germanic peoples mixed with the Romans and the languages began to mix with Latin forming French, Spanish, and other dialects. Personal loyalty to a leader they knew and respected. (vs. loyalty to the state)

Germanic tribe in the Roman province of Gaul (Modern France). Clovis –  Leader of the Franks,  Converted to Christianity  Baptized and supported by the Roman Church (which survived the fall of the empire)  United the Franks into one kingdom

A.D. 732 Charles Martel defeated the Muslims at the battle of Tours and kept Western Europe from becoming a part of the Muslim Empire. Carolingian Dynasty began with Pepin the Short who agreed to fight to protect the church in Rome. A.D. 751 The pope named him “king by the grace of God” What effect would this have on the church and the kings power?

A.K.A. Charles the Great, Son of Pepin the Short Seized control after his brother died in A.D Very imposing at 6’4’’ (6’3.5’’) Conquered all of modern France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and most of Germany, Italy and Spain. Largest empire since Rome. Restored and protected Pope Leo III who had been imprisoned by the aristocracy in Rome.

Crowned Emperor by the Church in Rome and began the Holy Roman Empire Charlemagne controlled his empire by using both the church and the state. He valued education for the clergy (those who serve the Church) After his death, his sons divided up his kingdom but could not control it.

Emerged due to ineffective central governments and the constant threat of famine, disease, and invasions (Vikings). Freemen became vassals (people who agree to serve a Lord or a King in exchange for protection) The Lords were Nobles with land who tried to acquire as many vassals as possible (military strength lay in numbers).

Feudal System  Kings – top  Nobles/Lords (wealthy landowners) and Church Officials  Knights – mounted warriors who protected their lord’s land in exchange for a fief (land grant)  Peasants – bottom class worked the fields; sometimes serfs (cannot leave the land) King Peasants Nobles/ Lords/ Church Officials Knights

Basic economic arrangement between serfs (peasants) and the lords. The lord provided the land, housing, and protection and the serfs would work the farmland and animals. How is this different from slavery? Three-field system – a practice of alternating crops on three different fields during the year to allow the land to replenish its soil. Manors were self-sufficient: Peasants rarely traveled further than 25 miles. Peasants paid many taxes to both the lord and the church (tithe)

Rome fell in A.D. 476 as a result of invasion by the Germanic tribes. Central Government broke down and trade was disrupted. Cities were abandoned and population centers shifted to rural areas. Ties of personal loyalty and family bound Germanic peoples together. Common needs for economic self- sufficiency and local protection led to a new pattern based on land ownership. The manor became the main economic unit. Church leaders helped to integrate community life. The feudal system developed with a king at the top and mutual duties linking local lords, vassals, and peasants. The lack of centralized government created the need for a new social order. Christianity remained a major unifying force throughout most of western Europe. Recreate this chart in your own words on page 34 of your notebook.

Knights – professional soldiers who fought for their lord (noble) in exchange for land. Chivalry – Knights promised to fight for three masters: Heavenly Lord, feudal lord, and his chosen lady. Knights gained experience through local wars and tournaments. Troubadours (poet-musicians) wrote songs about the love between knights and their ladies. Epics told stories about famous knights (King Arthur, Charlemagne)

What was the difference in the roles of men and women during feudalism? Why do you think it was like this?