THE RISE OF EUROPE Middle Ages

MEDIEVAL EUROPE  The Middle Ages, or medieval period, lasted from about 500 to the middle of the 1400’s.  The collapse of the Roman Empire had left Western Europe with no unifying government.  In response, political and social systems like that of feudalism and manorialism emerged.  These political systems were based on powerful local lords and the land that they controlled.  Wealthy landowners dominated society and provided people with protection

MEDIEVAL EUROPE  Just as in Japan, in the European model of feudalism land was exchanged for military service.  There was also a strict social hierarchy, where people had specific roles and duties based on their social status.  The Christian Church emerges as a unifying force in Western Europe and had great influence over the economic, social, and religious lives of Europeans.  People relied on the Christian Church for spiritual and political guidance- achievements in the arts and architecture centered around Christianity.

FRANKISH EMPIRE  After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Germanic Tribes took over Europe.  One of the most significant of these tribes was the Franks.  They rose to power and managed to control a considerable amount of land.  In the late 400’s, Clovis, a brilliant and ruthless leader, became known as King of the Franks.  Clovis is best known for his conversion to Christianity, which gained him a powerful ally with the Catholic Church  However, just as quickly as they gained power, they lost it to other invading forces.

CHARLEMAGNE  After Clovis, Charlemagne became king of the Franks and built an empire that stretched across modern day France, Germany, and Italy  Charlemagne was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by Pope Leo III after successfully putting down a rebellion by Roman nobles.  The crowning of Charlemagne helped revive the ideal of a united Christian Church and empire.  After being named emperor, Charlemagne strengthened his rule and attempted to create a united Christian Europe.  Charlemagne helped spread Christianity to the far reaches of his empire.

charlemagne

CHARLEMAGNE Government  Charlemagne appointed nobles to rule local areas.  He gave land to these nobles, expecting them in return to help with the defense of the empire.  As a way to control these rulers, Charlemagne regularly sent out officials called missi dominici to check on conditions throughout the empire.

CHARLEMAGNE Learning  Charlemagne also encouraged learning by setting up schools that would educate future government officials.  One of the most important things Charlemagne did for the world was to turn his castle into a learning center - inviting scholars from all over the world to take up residence there.  He also established libraries where scholars copied ancient texts.  Among these texts were the Bible, along with both history and science books.

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FEUDALISM  Everyone had a well-defined place in society.  People were born into their social positions, and there was little chance of moving beyond them.  The nobility consisted of kings and queens, lords, and knights.  The lower class of peasants, who made up the bulk of the population, worked the land and served the nobles.  The clergy was highly respected, due to the fact that the Christian Church dominated life during the Middle Ages.

KNIGHTHOOD  Because people in medieval Europe were often at war, many nobles trained to become knights, or mounted warriors.  They practiced strict discipline and learned how to ride well and handle weapons skillfully.  In addition, knights were bound by a code of conduct known as chivalry.  The code charged them to be brave, loyal, and true to their word.  The code also required knights to protect women. s&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=wKPqUu7EA5HnkAeqmYCYBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ &biw=1280&bih=930&surl=1

ROLE OF NOBLEWOMEN  Women played an active role in feudal society.  A “lady” was in charge of her husband’s estate while he was away serving his lord in battle.  She was responsible for all household affairs including the raising of children.  In preparation for their adult role, girls received training in household arts such as spinning, weaving, and management of servants.

MANORIALISM  Manorialism was an economic system structured around a lord’s manor, or estate (large piece of land).  Manors often included one or more villages and the land surrounding them.  Under the manorial system, each group in society had a place; each also had rights and responsibilities.  Feudalism and the manor system were both based on mutual responsibility. In feudalism, nobles owed duties to each other.  In the manor system, nobles and peasants provided benefits to each other.

PEASANTS AND LORDS  Most of the peasants who lived on the estate were called serfs.  Serfs were not slaves, but were bound to land.  This meant that they were not to leave the manor unless they had the permission of their lord.  Serfs were in charge of farming the land, repairing roads, and building fences.  In return for services provided by the serfs, the lord provided the serfs with several acres of land to farm and protection during times of war.

PEASANTS AND LORDS  For peasants, life on the manor was difficult and often harsh.  Peasant men, women, and children worked long hours and few lived beyond the age of 35.  In spite of such hardships, the lives of peasants were held together by the common thread of Christianity.  Celebrations, festivals, and holidays centered around the Christian Church.

THE CHURCH IN MEDIEVAL LIFE  During the Middle Ages, two distinct Christian churches emerged; the Orthodox Christian Church in the east and the Roman Catholic Church in the west.  The Roman Catholic Church became the main stabilizing force in Western Europe.  The Church provided religious leadership, as well as secular, or worldly leadership.

 At the head of the Roman Catholic Church was the pope, whom followers believed to be the spiritual representative of Jesus on earth.  Below the pope became archbishops, bishops, and local priests.  For peasants and town dwellers, everyday life was closely tied to local priests and the village church.  Main responsibility of the church was to serve the spiritual needs of medieval society.  Local priests instructed peasants and townspeople in the faith and provided comfort to them in troubled times.  The church taught that all men and women were sinners, but could reach salvation (eternal life in heaven) through faith in Jesus, good works, and participate in the sacraments. THE CHURCH IN MEDIEVAL LIFE

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ROLE OF THE CHURCH  As the largest landholder in Europe, the Church had significant economic power.  The Church gained wealth through a tithe, or tax that was required from all Christians that equaled 10% of their income.  The Church also had its own set of laws and its own court system.  The Church claimed authority over the King, but the Kings did not always recognize this authority.  This resulted in a power struggle between the pope in Rome and various monarchs and kings throughout Europe.

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ROLE OF THE CHURCH  Popes believed that they had authority over kings.  Popes sometimes excommunicated, or excluded from the Catholic Church, kings and monarchs who challenged or threatened Church power.  Some men and women became monks or nuns, leaving worldly society and devoting their lives to God.  They entered monasteries, communities where Christian men or women focused on spiritual goals.  Monks and nuns preserved ancient writings by copying ancient texts  Some monks and nuns taught Latin and Greek.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT Imagine that you are a peasant living during the Middle Ages. Write a journal entry where you describe what a typical day is. Your journal entry must be one page in length and have the following information:  Describe to me your family  What are your daily duties; work, chores, activities  What is your relationship with other members of society (feudal society)  How does Church play a role in your everyday life?  Who would you side with if there was an issue in your village?- Priest or King? Why?