FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO CHARLEMAGNE GERMANIC KINGDOMS, CHARLEMAGNE, VIKINGS AND OTHER INVADERS

Kingdom of the Franks After the fall of Rome, the Western Roman Empire became a number of states ruled by German kings The only kingdom to last long was the kingdom of the Franks Established in Gaul (modern France) in the late 400s by Clovis – Merovingian family He converted to Christianity around 500 when his troops won a difficult battle First Germanic ruler to do so This conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church

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Different view of law Roman system – murder is a crime against the state, not the person Germanic law – murder is a personal crime, could lead to a blood feud

Wergild – “money for a man” – a system using a fine was developed to avoid bloodshed after crimes such as murder Injured party’s family was paid a set amount of money (varied by social status) Ordeal – one way of determining guilt, based on a belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished If the accused was unharmed after a physical trial, they are presumed innocent One of these mayors was Charles Martel and he led the forces who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), which stopped the spread of Islam into Europe

Merovingian Family Clovis = Clotilda Theuderic I Chlodomer Childebert I Chlothar I 3 sons Sigibert I Gunthram I Charibert I Chilperic I = Brunhilda = Galswintha = Fredegund Childebert II Chlothar II 2 stepchildren Samson Theudebert II Theuderic II Rigunth Sigibert II Dagobert I

Charlemagne Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great” ruled from 768 – 814 Strong warrior and statesman, and a devout Christian Many historians consider him one of the most important leaders in European history Unified Europe for the first time since the fall of Rome Expanded the Frankish kingdom – Carolingian Empire

Became the most powerful Christian leader when in 800 he was crowned as Emperor of the Roman People The title implied that Charlemagne had restored the glory of the Roman Empire in Europe – idea of an enduring Roman empire Charlemagne’s rule had the full backing of the Church and God Charlemagne promoted learning which he led to the Carolingian Renaissance Renaissance = a rebirth of learning and culture It was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works of the Greeks and Romans

Invaders The relative peace of Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long Magyars = Invaded from the east, originally from central Asia Fierce warriors and skilled horsemen Muslims = Invaded from the south In the 700s the Muslims crossed over from northern Africa and conquered Spain, which they would rule for the next 700 years

The Vikings The fiercest warriors were the Vikings Came from Scandinavia – countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden Viking Raids Great shipbuilders and sailors, ships could carry crews of 100 and could cross the ocean

Viking raids were quick and devastating There was no warning before a Viking attack Fast-moving ships allowed the Vikings to reach their targets quickly Could sail upriver to attack inland They killed or captured anyone in their way, took what they wanted, and sailed away First targets of Viking raids were England and northern France, but were soon far-reaching They even attacked Russia and Baghdad Among the Vikings’ favorite targets were monasteries

Viking Settlements One of the first places settled by the Vikings was Iceland, followed years later by Greenland Vikings under the command of Leif Eriksson even reached North America, settling on the eastern shore of Canada They were the first Europeans to reach North America

The threat of these invaders and the lack of a strong central government led to a new political and social system as people turned to local landed aristocrats to protect them - Feudalism

Feudal System Developed out of the need for protection from invaders People wanted land and protection, and there was no central gov’t (Rome had fallen) Nobles had to find a way to defend their own lands Built castles for defense Needed trained soldiers for their own private armies, the most important of which were knights

Knight = highly skilled and heavily armored soldiers who fight on horseback Being a knight was expensive – had to purchase weapons, armor, and horses Knights demanded payment for their services Wealth was based on owning land – main source of income since there was little trade Most knights were paid with land for their services Vassal = person who owes military service to a lord who has given him land Fief = the land given to a vassal for service Feudal system = the system of exchanging land for service

Feudalism GIVES LAND LORDS VASSALS OWES MILITARY SERVICE

Feudal Obligations Idea of Vassalage = came from Germanic society where warriors swore an oath of loyalty to their leaders This act of loyalty was at the heart of the feudal system Feudal contract – set of unwritten rules that determined the relationship between lord and vassal, both the lords and vassals had responsibilities

Responsibilities of the vassal Owed the lord military service – usually 40 days a year Must promise to remain loyal to lord Helped to advise the lord Certain financial obligations, such as paying ransom for a captured lord and giving monetary gifts on the wedding of the lord’s eldest daughter and knighting of the eldest son Responsibilities of the lord Supported the vassal with a grant of land Protected the vassal against enemies and in court Treat vassal fairly and not demand too much of their time and money Act as judge in disputes between knights

Knights Knights became the dominate part of warfare Held great prestige and the institution of knighthood united the nobility Young knight, with no responsibilities, participated in tournaments in which knights showed off their skills, with the joust being the main event

Chivalry = ideal of civilized behavior among knights and nobility Knights were expected to: Defend the Church and defenseless people (especially women) Treat captives as honored guests (ransoming other knights = money) Noble women could legally hold property, but they still remained under the control of men

The Manorial System The feudal system was basically a political and social system The manorial system was the heart of medieval economics Built around large estates called manors These landowning nobles needed the leisure to pursue war and their feudal obligations – no time to farm Instead peasants worked the lands of these estates

Manor lords gave the peasants protection and plots of land for themselves and their families and in return, the peasants had to farm the lord’s land, along with other services Most of the peasants were serfs = peasants who are legally bound to the land, the manor on which they serve They were not slaves (could not be sold), but they were not free to leave the manor or marry without the lord’s permission Serfdom was hereditary Serfs worked the lord’s land, helped maintain the estate, paid rent, and were under the lord’s control The manor lord also had the right to try serfs in his own courts

Give land, protection Lord Peasant Farm the land