Western Europe: Middle Ages & Christian Europe Constructing a Hybrid Civilization -in place of Stearns, Chapter 10-

Western Europe on margins of world history for most of postclassical period Early Middle Ages = High Middle Ages =

Roman collapse brought great change – Combination of Roman heritage & Germanic culture Clovis – First attempt at order Viking menace Early Middle Ages, Political Life,

Charlemagne – Most famous Carolingian – Greater central control, but exception to most of period Feudalism – Established order through decentralized hierarchy of obligations

Economic & Social Life, Manorialism – Relationship b/t serf & lord – Life of the serf Women w/ considerable freedoms

Culture - Catholicism, Political influence through hierarchy – Pope – Bishops Political influence through faith – Pressure rulers Role of monasteries

~QUESTION~

Assimilation of Vikings Agricultural improvements – Moldboard plow – Horseshoes & collar – Three-field system Cultural exchange – Crusades Transitions,

Catholicism – Crusades – Scholasticism Treatment of Jews Art – Gothic – Vernacular languages High Middle Ages, Culture,

Politics, Growth of central monarch power – England Norman conquest Magna Carta – France & Capetians – Holy Roman Empire Least successful

Economics, Mediterranean trade – Venice & Genoa Northern trade – Hanseatic League

Economics, – cont. Economic growth led to: – Guilds – City charters – Weakening of 3-estates & rise of merchants

Conclusions