The Early Middle Ages ‘aka’ Medieval Era: Feudalism 800-1100

Why Feudalism Is Needed People looked to local landlords or nobles to provide security and meet their non-religious needs

How Feudalism Works Feudalism was a loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided their landholdings among lesser lords. In exchange, lesser lords, or vassals, pledged service and loyalty to the greater lord.

The Three Estates: function and divine order in theory Church (pray, provide "social services") Nobles (fight, keep order) Commoners (work; = everyone else)

Under the feudal system, everyone had a well-defined place in society. How feudalism works… Under the feudal system, everyone had a well-defined place in society.

How Feudalism Works

Gettin down on the farm Usually one bedroom houses Animals sleep in the house Dirt floors Sleep on straw 6 work days… Animals slept in the house because of theft, etc.

CRUSADES

REQUEST OF HELP 1093 AD Alexius Comnenus sent letter to Robert, Count of Flanders Asked for help against Muslim Turks Threatening Constantinople Pope Urban II read the letter

CRUSADES Holy War - 4 main wars Goals Gain control of Jerusalem and Holy Land Rid of Muslim Control Lasted 200 yrs - 50,000-60,000 soldiers If you die, you go to heaven “God wills it” Economic and Religious motives

1ST CRUSADE 1095 – 1099 Against Seljuk Turks Defended Constantinople Gained control of Jerusalem Crusader States est. Kingdom of Jerusalem est.

2ND CRUSADE 1145-1149 Muslims conquered Edessa Crusaders attacked Damascus Failed Muslims gain more control in Holy Land 1187 – Muslims capture Jerusalem

3rd Crusade Lead by Europe’s 3 MVPs: French King: Philip Augustus (went home) English King: Richard the Lion-Hearted German Emperor: Frederick Barbarossa (drowned on the trip) *ends with a truce between Richard and Saladin.

Where did the Black Death come from?

What were the symptoms of the plague?

How was the plague transmitted? We now know that the most common form of the Black Death was the BUBONIC PLAGUE! This disease was spread by fleas which lived on the black rat. The fleas sucked the rat’s blood which contained the plague germs. When the rat died the fleas jumped on to humans and passed on the deadly disease.