The Middle Ages

Early Middle Ages Dark Ages (500 CE- 1000 CE)- scholars named this as a time when the forces of darkness (barbarians) overwhelmed the forces of light (Romans) Rise of influence of barbarians it was these barbarians who eventually became the new rulers of Europe.

Attack on Europe Magyars (Hungary) overran eastern Europe and Germany, parts of France, and Italy. Vikings (Scandinavia) expert sailors. looted and burned communities along the coasts and rivers of Europe. Groups categorized by languages and little else but will lead to vast empires. Celtic: Britons, Picts, and Scots Germanic: Goths, Franks, Vandals, Saxons Slavs: Ethnic group that inhabit Eastern Europe

Unifying Force The Church

Expanding Influence of the Church Christian Church has become an important political, economic, spiritual and cultural force in Europe Leading officials of Church were the Pope and Patriarch Banning of heresy (holding beliefs that contradict the official religion) conversion by force Christian Church has become an important political, economic, spiritual and cultural force in Europe Leading officials of Church were the bishops of Rome (Pope) and Constantinople (Patriarch) As influence grew, laws were passed to forced people to become Christians and banned heresy (holding beliefs that contradict the official religion) Fines were given against heretics, then harsher penalties and even death Eventually, conversion by force Eventually in 11th Century, Church split into two independent branches Eastern Orthodox (Greek) based in Constantinople and Roman Catholic in Rome

The Catholic Church gave administrators to the kings, and the kings protected the church. Eventually in 11th Century, Church split into two independent branches Eastern Orthodox (Greek) based in Constantinople and Roman Catholic in Rome Orthodox leaders were forced to obey the Byzantine Emperor

Justinian the Great (ruled 527-565 CE) Byzantine Emperor Goal to reunite the Roman world as a Christian Empire Ordered the codification of Roman laws in the Justinian Code that defined civil law in the Middle Ages

Byzantine Empire in 6th Century

The Caliphate Islam became the unifying force of North Africa and the Middle East. Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammed around 610 CE on the Arabian Peninsula when he traveled from the city of Mecca to Medina preaching that there is one God and he was the final prophet He will then return to Mecca in 630 and dedicate the Kaaba to Allah

Teachings of Islam Monotheistic The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam and contains Muhammed’s teachings. Islam does not separate religious and secular law, Islam is a way of life to be followed at all times. Five Pillars: Declaration of faith Daily prayer Fasting during Ramadan Charity Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca

Spread of Islam Mostly spread gradually through trade routes However, much of North Africa was conquered by Muhammed’s successors and the land they ruled was known as the Caliphate. The Caliphate united the lands, drove out the Christian Byzantines, and established centers of learning in Cordoba (Spain), Baghdad (Iraq), and Cairo (Egypt) The Caliphate reached it’s greatest extent under the Abbasid Empire They also established a massive trade network that will stretch from Indonesia to Spain

Early France

Merovingians Leader in 481 CE was Clovis I- he united Frankish tribes His conversion to Christianity won him support from the Church Merovingian is derived from the leader of the tribe of Franks First dynasty after the Romans and ruled for 300 years Leader in 481 CE was Clovis I- he united Frankish tribes and made a large fighting force in Northern Gaul, drastically expanding his territory His conversion to Christianity won him support from the Church Clovis I wrote Salic Law which assigned a specific financial value to everyone and everything and in the case of a crime, the guilty had to pay the victim for losses; as well trial options (trial by oath and trial by ordeal) Merovingian's founded and built many monasteries, churches and palaces and spread Christianity throughout Western Europe Eventually dynasty declined as kings relaxed power and became more like figure heads whereas the real power lay with the powerful officials and leading aristocracy He wrote Salic Law which assigned a specific financial value to everyone and everything and in the case of a crime, the guilty had to pay the victim for losses; as well trial options such as (trial by oath= people of status will swear in defence of accused) and trial by ordeal (accused to perform a physical test to show innonnce (believed that God would protect and help the innocent)

Carolingians Rise of Charles Martel who dominated Frankish kingdom in 8th century 732 AD Battle of Tours secures France for Christianity Rise of aristocratic Charles Martel who dominated Frankish kingdom in 8th century Solidified claim with military victories in pushing Muslims south and establishing Frankish control of southern Gaul He confiscated land given to Church and began Church reforms that would restore spirituality to clerical life His son Pepin the Short continued Church reforms and eventually with the support of reformed Church, removed last Merovingian king from throne Established the Carolingian dynasty, named to protect the papacy and establish the pope and bishops are the makers of kings Greatest legacy was Charles the Great, or Charlemagne

The Holy Roman Empire & Charlemagne Charlemagne (Charles the Great) who was a military general and restored Pope Leo III who had been exiled In return, Leo placed a crown on Charlemagne and named him the “Emperor of the Romans” which secured the relationship between Frankish kings and the papacy Charlemagne became the first Holy Roman Emperor Iberbia- (present day Spain) had privileged class of estate owners called seniores; strong ties to Church; southern Spain conquered by Moors (Islamic people from North Africa) and clashes between Christians and Muslims, who were called infidels (Latin meaning unfaithful)

Map of Europe in 998. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Europe998new.png

High Middle Ages 1000-1250 CE

High Middle Ages New royal dynasty called Capetians in France System of primogeniture= system where eldest son inherited everything (instead of dividing land / property / wealth) Lords and knights however had little loyalty and began competing more fiercely for land, power, influence and control Peace of God= a set of decrees issued in 989 CE that prohibited stealing church property, assaulting clerics, peasants and women with the threat of excommunication from Church Truce of God= set in 1027 CE truce encouraged idea that the only combat pleasing to God was in the defense of Christendom (idea of the righteousness of holy war) 1095 CE Pope Urban II referred to Truce of God when calling knights to the first Crusade in support of Christians

Feudal Contract A mutual pledge signed by the lord and his Vassal. The Vassal receives the Fief or estate (land) from the Lord and in exchange he promises military service, monetary (money) payments and crops back to the Lord.

Manors Manors were self sufficient; all economic activity occurred on the manor. This meant that little to no trade occurred during this time period.  Most of the peasants during the Middle Ages were serfs. Serfs were given land to farm in exchange for service to their lord.  Service included working in the fields, maintaining roads and the manor, or military service during wars. . 

The life of a peasant 1. Worked long hours 2. Disease - peasants lived beyond the age of 35. 3. Simple Diet – Usually no meat 4. hunger was common 5. peasants celebrated, marriages and births. Got breaks at Christmas and Easter

CONSTRUCTING THE PYRAMID OF POWER KING LOYALTY AND SERVICE LAND POWERFUL NOBLES LAND AND PROTECTION LOYALTY AND MILITARY SERVICE LESSER NOBLES (KNIGHTS) LABOR PROTECTION SERFS AND FREEMEN 30 30