Europe in the Middle Ages Ms. Van WBHS World History Notes Unit 2

Feudalism A social structure that involved serfs, peasants, lords, nobles, and kings Every person had their own role In return for land, money, or loyalty---the nobility would grant knights certain benefits Knights had to pledge to abide by a code of chivalry A promise to protect their serfs and nobles

The Middle Ages, 500-1500AD Came after what was known as ”the Dark Age” Unfavorable social, economic, and political conditions Thousands died from disease and famine -Church was the center of village life regardless of social class/title

Major events Great leaders such as Joan of Arc and Charlemagne were part of the Middle Ages as well as key events such as the Black Plague and the rise of Islam After the fall of the Roman Empire, a lot of the Roman culture and knowledge was lost. This included art, technology, engineering, and history.  800 - Charlemagne, King of the Franks, is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Charlemagne united much of Western Europe and is considered the father of both the French and the German Monarchies. 835 - Vikings from the Scandinavian lands (Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) begin to invade northern Europe. They would continue until 1042. Read more at: http://www.ducksters.com/history/middle_ages_timeline.php

Fall of Constantinople (1453) and the Plague (1346-1353)