Early Middle Ages, Key People, Events, Feudalism Part 1

Effects of the Fall of Rome’s Central Government Decline of Civilization – Unifying hegemony (Influence of power and culture) of Rome is gone People flee from cities due to neglect and Viking invasions. Many move to the country to seek protection Roads and public works fall into disrepair and are not protected. Trade decreases Trade routes no longer controlled by Rome Classical learning is kept in the church. Language of the Church is in Latin which was not the language of the common person Once powerful uniting central Gov. of Rome is replaced with feudalism

Middle Ages: The period between ancient times and modern times during A.D. 476–1500 476 AD with the official fall of the Roman Empire marks the start of the Middle Ages Medieval – from the Latin Mid Avum meaning Middle Ages Medieval refers to life and culture during the Middle Ages

Early Middle Age Figures After winning a battle in 496, King Clovis, First King to convert to Christianity, established a Christian kingdom in Western Europe. It was one of many kingdoms that developed when Roman authority collapsed. Charlemagne 724 – 814 AD – the grandson of Charles Martel briefly united Western Europe building an empire stretching across France and Germany Vikings – Expert sailors from Scandinavia who raided European river towns starting in the late 700s

What replaced the Roman Empire? When the unifying force of the Roman empire disappeared from Western Europe, Germanic kingdoms replaced it. Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian traditions blended during the Middle Ages.

Many Germanic tribes conquered parts of the Roman empire. Lots of fighting for power and land At the same time, Muslims were creating a new civilization and empire in the Mediterranean region. After converting to Christianity, Clovis earned the support of his subjects in Gaul and the pope in Rome.

After Charlemagne’s death 814 his empire was split up After Charlemagne’s death 814 his empire was split up. His incompetent heirs faced waves of invasions from Vikings

Charles Martel – a Frankish leader who rallied warriors to push Muslims out of France and Western Europe in the. Battle of Tours 732 AD

Charlemagne, Martel’s grandson, briefly united Western Europe. Pope Leo 3rd in Rome, crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor Christmas day 800 AD Charlemagne was a skilled leader who revived Latin learning and brought scholars to his court. Unified his empire, brought law and encouraged education

Charlemagne spread Christianity and Latin as a peaceful way to unite Germanic Tribes throughout his kingdom and set up a strong, efficient government. However, the pope’s action angered the emperor in Constantinople and deepened the split between east and west.

Muslim armies overran Christian lands and crossed into France. Charles Martel led Frankish warriors in the battle of Tours to push them back.

European coastal towns They were know for violence and brutality Vikings Vikings or Northman attacked costal communities in Europe Vikings left their homelands in Scandinavia and travelled to Britain and Ireland others too. When the people of Britain first saw the Viking longboats they came down to the shore to welcome them. European coastal towns They were know for violence and brutality It was a bad day when the Viking came to town

Vikings These Scandinavian people were expert sailors. Charlemagne’s empire broke apart even more when the Vikings began attacking European coastal and river towns. Picture to Right shows Viking tower in Quebec 500 years before Columbus These Scandinavian people were expert sailors. They opened trade routes linking northern Europe to the Mediterranean. Eventually Vikings become Christians

Feudalism in Western Europe

1. Feudalism was founded on the need of protection. 2 1. Feudalism was founded on the need of protection. 2.. localized political system of government based on mutual obligation. Feudalism results in mixed loyalties and constant power struggles.

The Manor Manoralism – the economic system of Feudalism Completely Self sustained economies

The power and structure of the Church was hierarchal: Constantine set up the church in the same way his government was. Later the doctrine of Papal Supremacy put the power of the Pope above the King

The Roman Catholic Church was the Central Focus for Each Christian during Medieval Life People needed the Church throughout their lives (Birth to Death) in order to go to heaven Sacraments: holy rites which had to be performed by bishops, priests Baptism at birth :Bishop, priest Eucharist Bishop or priest Marriage – Bishop or Priest Penance (Confession) Bishop or priest Anointing of the Sick Bishop or priest Last Rites before death Bishop or Priest

End of Part 1