The Early Middle-Ages Foundations of Medieval Society and the Influence of the Catholic Church

Western Europe During the Middle-Ages Fall of Western Roman Empire Conquered by Germanic tribes in 476 CE Roman government and military collapsed Power fell to German warlords Medieval Europe ‘Medieval’ = middle ages (ca. 450-1500 CE (AD) Combined classical Roman culture with German culture and Christian religion

Influence of the Catholic Church during the Early Middle-Ages During the Middle-Ages secular authority declined and the power of the Church grew Catholic monasteries preserved Greco-Roman cultural achievements Missionaries spread Christianity and the Latin alphabet to Germania The Pope anointed Charlemagne Emperor in 800 CE (AD) Parish priests served the religious and social needs of the people

The Early Middle-Ages The Franks

The Franks The Franks Clovis Germanic tribe Settled in France and Germany in 5th century CE Clovis Ruler of the Franks Powerful warlord Converted to Christianity

The Franks Charles Martel Pepin the Short Ruler of Franks in 714 CE Defeated Muslims in Battle of Tours in 732 CE Preserved Christianity as the dominant religion of Europe Pepin the Short Crowned King of the Franks by the Pope in 752 CE Helped the Pope fight rival Germanic tribes

The Franks Charlemagne ‘Frankish Emperor and son of Pepin the Short Conquered Germany, France, Italy, and parts of Spain First emperor and empire in Western Europe since Roman Empire Crowned (anointed) Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope in 800 CE (AD) Churches, schools, and roads were built to unite the empire The power of the Church was directly connected with politics

Franks Frankish Empire Holy Roman Empire Created by Charlemagne Split up after death of Charlemagne Weakened by foreign invasions Power fell to local rulers and led to the rise of feudalism

The Early Middle-Ages Feudal Europe

Feudal Europe Feudalism Decentralized government = many local rulers Rulers gave land to elite nobility in exchange for loyalty and military service Nobility had to provide knights to fight for the ruler

Feudal Europe Feudal System Fief = land given by a ruler for military service Homage = oath of allegiance sworn by a vassal to a ruler in exchange for a fief Lord = noble ruler Vassal = noble who was given a fief by ruler Knight = professional soldier who served a vassal Chivalry = code of honor for knights

Feudal Europe: Nobility and Serfs Medieval Life Nobility Lords and ladies Lived in castles for protection Lords had total authority over their fiefs Made laws, taxes, and controlled the military Serfs were peasants bound to the land for survival This rigid social structure was based on feudal obligations

Feudal Europe: Knights Knighthood Page = 7 year-old boys who worked in a lord’s castle Squire = 15 year-old boys who worked as personal assistants to a knight and trained for war Knight = a squire who had been proven in battle Followed code of chivalry

Feudal Europe: The Manorial System Manorialism Manor = lord’s house and surrounding lands Peasants or serfs farmed land in exchange for protection Gave portion of crops to lord Manors were self- sufficient due to lack of trade