POST CLASSICAL WESTERN EUROPE FROM 476 TO 1250 C.E.

Post Classical Era characterized: DID… But did NOT Separate hemispheres (E and W) Belief systems were the primary unifying force Civilization continued to spread Trade and communication increased interdependence Tech expanded, but innovation slowed No polt form dominates Envi changes did not have great impact Most societies remain patriarchs w/clear social distinctions

Periodization in Europe Civilization suspended, then grows: Early Middle Ages: 600 – 1000 Few read/write, small villages, little long distance trade: isolation/self-sufficiency Late/High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1450 Signs of recovery, towns and trade grow, establishment of a new middle class

QUEST FOR POLITICAL ORDER AFTER 476 CE Germanic kingdoms Visigoths—Spain (470's to early 8th cen) Ostrogoths/Lombards—Italy (5th cen to mid-8th cen) Franks, Burgundians—Germany, Netherlands Angles, Saxons—Kingdoms in Britain Roman concept of rule by law replaced by family ties/personal loyalty Individual kingdoms = no centralized govt Towns declined, only non-German structure was the church

EUROPE c. 526 – 600 C.E.

RISE OF THE FRANKS The Franks Clovis Belgium, Northern France, Western Germany Developed group identity during the 3rd cen Politically inexperienced, little exposure to Roman society Clovis Eliminated last vestiges of Roman authority Built the most powerful and dynamic state in western Europe Converts to Christianity Descendants lose control

CAROLINGIANS Need to resist Viking invasions Carolingians asserted authority, the early 8th century Charles Martel Charles the Hammer Stops Muslim invasion of Europe, 732 at Battle of Tours Pepin becomes king, 751 Pope appointed Pepin as King of the Franks Pope allows Franks to reign as King of Italy Pepin grants the area in Italy around Rome to Pope

CHARLEMAGNE Charlemagne (reigned 768-814 C.E.) Charles Martel's grandson, Control extended to northeast Spain, Bavaria, north Italy Relied on aristocratic deputies, known as counts Used missi dominici to oversee local authorities Pope Leo III proclaimed Charlemagne emperor, 800

THE RISE OF THE FRANKISH EMPIRE

BREAKUP OF THE FRANKISH EMPIRE Louis the Pious (re. 814-840) Charlemagne's only surviving son, lost control of the counts His three sons divided the empire into three kingdoms, Treaty of Verdun 843 The Vikings Scandinavian homelands Raided regions from Russia to Spain Established colonies in Iceland, Greenland, Canada Conquered parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, France Outstanding seafarers—fleets could go to interior regions via rivers Attacked towns and villages; favorite targets were Christian

VIKINGS, MAGYARS, AND ARABS

NEW REGIONAL STATES England Germany and Italy France Small Celtic, German kingdoms merged into larger realm 1066—William of Normandy invaded and brought Anglo-Saxon rule to and end Germany and Italy local lords took control Imposed authority in Central Europe—ruled Germany, Netherlands, Burgundy, Austria, Switzerland Led armies to support the papacy in Italy France Counts and other local authorities became local lords Vikings settled in northern France Nobles elect Counts of Paris as King to replace Carolingians Spain and Southern Italy Spanish Christian states in North warred against Muslim caliphs Northern Europe Vikings establish three kingdoms: Denmark, Norway, Sweden

EUROPE c. 1000 C.E.

Feudalism

FEUDAL SYSTEM Lords and vassals Feudal politics Lord owned land, needs soldiers Trades land for service Grants of land called fiefs Vassal provided defense, military equipment Received livelihood from land Vassals owed lord: Loyalty, obedience, respect, counsel Military service when called into service Lords often made smaller grant to others Called sub-division of fief Lowest, service owning noble was a knight Church often made vassals of soldiers for defense Church could hold land as a vassal to a lord Church often held land in own right Feudal politics Multi-layered network of lord-vassal relationships Political stability depended on discipline, control Lords, knights often had conflicting loyalties

The Road to Knighthood KNIGHT: Ideals – Loyal, Brave, Courteous SQUIRE: Around the age of 14; Took care of knight’s armor, weapons, and warhorse PAGE: Sent by parents to another lord; Waited on their guests; Played chess; Practiced sword fighting

Medieval Castle

Interior of Castle

MANORALISM: ECONOMIC FEUDALISM Serfs' obligations Could not move without permission had right to work on land, pass job to heirs, did not OWN land often drafted as foot soldiers in feudal armies Free peasants gave up land ownership to become serfs for protection Manors Principal form of agricultural organization; large estate controlled by lord; Lord could execute serfs for misconduct Responsibility to protect serfs to maintain “community” Manors were largely self-sufficient communities Trade: luxuries, manufactured products, finished goods Serfs had to work lord’s land first, before their own plots

ECONOMY Agriculture Agricultural production suffered from repeated invasions Small wooden plows of Med. farmers did not work well in the N Heavy plows could turn soils Common from 8th century, production increased Cultivation of new lands, watermills, and three field system = rotating crops A rural society Agricultural surplus not enough to support large cities Towns were few and sparsely populated

POPULATION Population 200 C.E.=36 million 400 C.E.=31 million 800 C.E.=edged up to 29 million 900 C.E.=30 million 1000 C.E= back to 36 mil

The Medieval Manor

Life on the Medieval Manor

Late Medeival Town Dwellings