Medieval Europe “The Middle Ages”

Why was this period referred to as “The Middle Ages”?

It was the period between two very important times…the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. In the middle – The Middle Ages Many people thought that nothing important happened during this period. They were wrong!

The Early Middle Ages The Geography of Europe Europe After the Fall of Rome Feudalism and Manor Life Feudal Societies Today we will study Europe after the Fall of Rome.

PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 234 IN YOUR TEXT

EUROPE AFTER THE FALL OF ROME CHAPTER 9 LESSON 2 The students will describe the spread of Christianity and the roles played by the early church and monasteries in a one- paragraph summary.

In your summary you might include the following… *Who was the head of the church? *Which group of people traveled far distances to spread Christianity? *Were they all sent by the church? *Which group of people lived apart from communities, and where did they live? *What services did they provide that helped spread Christianity?

TODAY’S FOCUS QUESTION: How did the church and monasteries contribute to the spread of Christianity?

Europe After The Fall of Rome Europe was a dangerous place after Rome fell.. CHAOS!

Without the Roman government, Europe had no central authority to keep order.

As a result, outlaws and bandits became common.

Violence was common. People looked for ways to bring order to their lives.

As the Roman Empire fell, various groups moved into former lands and formed their own states.

The rulers of these states, usually warlords, called themselves kings.

These kings often fought among themselves.

The creation of these kingdoms marked the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Christianity Spreads to Northern Europe

Missionaries The Pope sent missionaries into northern Europe to spread Christianity. The Pope sent missionaries into northern Europe to spread Christianity. Missionaries are people who try to convert others to a particular religion. Missionaries are people who try to convert others to a particular religion.

Monks Monks spread Christianity, but unlike missionaries, they did not travel. Monks spread Christianity, but unlike missionaries, they did not travel. They spent their time in prayer, work, and meditation. They spent their time in prayer, work, and meditation.

Monasteries Monks lived apart from society in monasteries. Monks lived apart from society in monasteries. The monks had to follow rules that told them how to dress and what to eat. The monks had to follow rules that told them how to dress and what to eat.

Monastery A place where monks or nuns live and work.

Monks In addition to giving aid to people in their communities, monks In addition to giving aid to people in their communities, monks Ran schools and copied books for those who couldn’t read or write. Ran schools and copied books for those who couldn’t read or write. Collected and saved ancient writing from Greece and Rome Collected and saved ancient writing from Greece and Rome Served as scribes and advisors to local rulers. Served as scribes and advisors to local rulers.

The Benedictine Rule Look at page 236 in your text. Look at page 236 in your text.

There is a special day named after a monk. See if you can guess what it is. Hints: Hints: It involves pinching. It involves pinching. You are to wear green. You are to wear green. It is during the month of March. It is during the month of March. It is of Irish origin. It is of Irish origin.

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick was a monk who helped convert the Irish to Christianity. Saint Patrick was a monk who helped convert the Irish to Christianity. According to legend, he won favor with the Irish by driving all of the snakes in Ireland into the sea. According to legend, he won favor with the Irish by driving all of the snakes in Ireland into the sea.

Charlemagne A Christian king who conquered much of the old Roman Empire and spread Christianity. A Christian king who conquered much of the old Roman Empire and spread Christianity. Built schools. Built schools. Look at page 237 in your text. Look at page 237 in your text.

Invaders Threaten Europe Even while Charlemagne was building his empire, new threat appeared in Europe…

Muslim armies poured in from Africa and the Middle East.

Fierce warriors called the Magyars invaded from Asia attacking fields and destroying towns.

From Scandinavia came the most frightening invaders of all, the Vikings. Vikings looted towns and monasteries. Vikings looted towns and monasteries. They took prisoners to sell into slavery. They took prisoners to sell into slavery.

The spread of Christianity helped restore order to Europe following the fall of the western half of the Roman Empire. Remember: CHAOS!!!

Religious men who lived apart from society in isolated communities were Priests Priests Monks Monks Monasteries Monasteries Ministers Ministers

One of the first missionaries to travel to northern Europe and took it upon himself to teach people about Christianity was Saint Benedict Saint Benedict Saint Patrick Saint Patrick Saint Peter Saint Peter Saint Paul Saint Paul

Who was a brilliant warrior and strong king who led the Franks in building a huge empire? Saint Patrick Saint Patrick Saint Benedict Saint Benedict Charlemagne Charlemagne William the Conqueror William the Conqueror

Monks live in communities called Churches Churches Cathedrals Cathedrals Monasteries Monasteries Castles Castles

An Italian monk who created a set of rules that most European monasteries followed was Saint Peter Saint Peter Saint Paul Saint Paul Saint Benedict Saint Benedict Saint Patrick Saint Patrick

Another name for the Middle Ages is Medieval period Medieval period Unimportant period Unimportant period Post Rome period Post Rome period Ancient history Ancient history

TODAY’S FOCUS QUESTION: How did the church and monasteries contribute to the spread of Christianity? How did the church and monasteries contribute to the spread of Christianity?

In your summary you might include the following… *Who was the head of the church? *Which group of people traveled far distances to spread Christianity? *Were they all sent by the church? *Which group of people lived apart from communities, and where did they live? *What services did they provide that helped spread Christianity?