The First Medieval Synthesis
Charlemagne Post-Charlemagne Viking Invasions Feudal Society
Cultural Background as a German, Roman, Christian Blend What is First Synthesis? Pepin, the Lombards and the Papacy in 756 Summary p. 144 Religious Reformer – David and Josias Pope Leo III and Crowning Emperor
Palace at Aachen Educational Reform Alcuin Monastic schools Curriculum
Carolingian script (miniscule) Carolingian Liturgical Reforms Alcuin’s Revision of Roman Rite Rebirth of Drama Attempts to develop vernacular culture Legends of Charlemagne in Notker and Song of Roland
Bust of Charlemagne, Cathedral Treasury, Aachen. 14 th Century
Louis the Pious, only surviving son of Charlemagne Louis and monastic reform Louis’ sons, Louis, Charles, and Lothar, Kings of East Franks, West Franks and Lotharingia Louis crowned Lothar Emperor in 817 Thus a divided empire. Pope Nicholas and Charles the Bald and the role of the Pope
Otto I and the reinstitution of an Empire Otto II and Theophano and the Byzantine Connection Ottonian Renaissance
Description of Viking Invasions Weakening of already weak kings They started under Charlemagne but kicked up on Louis the Pious
911 the Northman Rollo was granted the duchy of Normandy Alfred became Alfred the Great Fighting Vikings There were other invasions: Muslims, Magyars (Hungarians), and Slavs (Poles)
These invasions short-term disasters but most became Christina kingdoms Long term influences vary but the Norman influence on England in 1066 was most significant 1066 and All That Bayeux Tapestry
Post-Charlemagne royal or centralized authority weakened Internal instability and invasions Emergence of Lord and Vassal Power Arrangements – freeman to freeman bond
What is a vassal The changing nature of the warrior, the knight In return for expensive service land, money, or title Fief and subinfeudation
The role of the Count Vassal roles inherited or not As fiefs were divided among children there arose a money shortage Vassalage and the Private Possession of Political Power: what is it
Where did it flourish Was it the “feudal system”? The later idealization of vassalage – chivalry Song of Roland as a text of idealized vassalage
The reemergence of Central Authority – Feudal Monarchies Kings would take pay instead of service, use money to buy army Kings used the judicial system to tighten authority over lords Kings began to develop more elaborate bureaucracies
Spread of vasslage culture To Love To Religion To the Three Orders of Society
Oratores, Bellatores, Laboratores