Objectives: Early Middle Ages 13.1 Define “Dark Ages” and explain why this label for the Early Middle Ages is misleading. Describe the impact that the collapse of the Roman Empire and the Germanic invasions had on western Europe Explain the rise of the Franks and Charlemagne’s importance within the history of the Franks Describe the significance of the Carolingian Renaissance Identify the three major influences on the development of medieval Europe **Also see pages in the historical atlas

PeriodizationPeriodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages:

Europe in the 6c

Medieval Period in a Historical Nutshell Rome attacked in 476 C.E. The beginning of the Middle Ages is often called the "Dark Ages” – –Fall of Greece and Rome – –Life in Europe during the Middle Ages was very hard. – –Very few people could read or write and nobody expected conditions to improve. – –Only hope: strong belief in Christianity; heaven would be better than life on earth. In contrast: – – The Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa studied and improved on the works of the ancient Greeks – –Civilization flourished in sub-Saharan Africa, China, India, and the Americas. Great change by about 1450 – –Columbus & America – –literacy spread – –scientists made great discoveries – –The Renaissance is the beginning of modern history. The Renaissance

Middle Ages: General Timeline 476 C.E. Fall of Rome 1066 C.E. Norman invasion of Britain C.E. Crusades Dante’s Divine Comedy 1386 C.E. Chaucer begins writing Canterbury Tales 1455 C.E. Printing Press Beowulf Composed sometime between 850 C.E. 900 C.E Fall of Byzantine Empire with invasion of Ottoman Turks 306 C.E. Constantine comes to power in Eastern Roman Empire; beginning of Byzantine Empire 1347 Bubonic Plague 450 C.E. Anglo- Saxons invade England

Main Influences on the Middle Ages 1. 1.Classical heritage of Rome 2. 2.The beliefs and growing power of the Roman Catholic Church 3. 3.Customs of various Germanic tribes

Key Concepts of the Middle Ages War Religion TURMOIL Crusades Feudalism: The Middle Ages’ social order Church became deeply involved in government Christianity provided the basis for a first European "identity," unified in a religion common to most of the continent Crusades: Popes, kings, and emperors unite and defend Christendom from the perceived aggression of Islam From the 7th century onward, Islam had been gaining ground along Europe's southern and eastern borders.

Germanic Peoples Roman empire overran by Germanic groups with repeated invasions and constant warfare Breakdown of trade: money became scarce. Cities abandoned – no longer center of economy or administration Population became rural. Decline of literacy – priests and other church officials were the few that were literate. Breakup of unified empire – language began to change. Latin branches off into Romance languages End of Democracy

End of Representative Government Rome Unified by common language, loyalty to public government, and written law Orderly government Germanic Family ties and personal loyalty unified the Germanic tribes People lived in small communities governed by unwritten rules and traditions Ruled by a Chief who led a band or warriors loyal only to him – not some emperor they’d never seen

The Franks

European Empire Evolves After the decline of the Roman Empire small kingdoms sprang up all over Europe. The largest and the strongest was controlled by the Franks Lead by Clovis – first Christian king Area that is now France & Switzerland Greatest king was Charlemagne most powerful king in Western Europe encouraged learning & helped strengthen the power of the Church

The Rise of the Franks Clovis— first Christian king of the Franks— brought Christianity to the Germanic tribes living in the former Roman province of Gaul By 511 Clovis had extended Frankish rule over most of what is today France Charles Martel: “mayor of the palace” and eventually took on military status—major victory at Tours in 732 against Muslims Pipin the Short: fought the Lombards in Italy on behalf of the pope—in exchange the pope anointed him “king by the grace of god”— beginning of the Carolingian Dynasty ( )

Battle of Tours: 732 CE October 10, 732 CE marks the conclusion of the Battle of Tours, arguably one of the most decisive battles in all of history. ( Charles Martel in 732 defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours)October 10, 732 CE marks the conclusion of the Battle of Tours, arguably one of the most decisive battles in all of history. ( Charles Martel in 732 defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours) Martel became a Christian hero by saving western Europe from Muslim controlMartel became a Christian hero by saving western Europe from Muslim control Charles Martel

Charlemagne: 742 to 814

Charlemagne’s Empire

Charlemagne’s Rule First emperor since the fall of RomeFirst emperor since the fall of Rome Established reforms to rule efficientlyEstablished reforms to rule efficiently Set up a bureaucracy in AachenSet up a bureaucracy in Aachen Gave power to counts who ruled the counties—they were members of the warrior aristocracyGave power to counts who ruled the counties—they were members of the warrior aristocracy Sent important officials out to check on the behavior of the counts and the collection of taxes (usually a aristocrat and a high-ranking church official)Sent important officials out to check on the behavior of the counts and the collection of taxes (usually a aristocrat and a high-ranking church official) Passed laws effective for whole empirePassed laws effective for whole empire Required the leaders of the empire to meet once a year at a general assemblyRequired the leaders of the empire to meet once a year at a general assembly

Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800

The Carolingian Renaissance Charlemagne on a coin—modeled after coins from the Roman Empire Charlemagne devoted himself to the study of the liberal arts, set up a palace school, promoted art & architecture

Carolingian Miniscule Carolingian or Caroline minuscule is a script developed as a writing standard in Europe so that the Roman alphabet could be easily recognized by the small literate class from one region to another. It was used in Charlemagne's empire between approximately 800 and 1200.

Decline of the Franks Charlemagne’s son Louis the Pious was weak and indecisiveCharlemagne’s son Louis the Pious was weak and indecisive Louis’ 3 sons were Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German –all wanted the kingshipLouis’ 3 sons were Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German –all wanted the kingship Treaty of Verdun (843)—divided empire up into 3 parts—end of a large unified empire under Frankish controlTreaty of Verdun (843)—divided empire up into 3 parts—end of a large unified empire under Frankish control

While the Roman Empire declined the Church remained Missionaries succeeded in spreading Christianity Adapted to rural conditions by building monasteries – religious communities of men o First monks were hermits o Rules first established by St. Benedict (ca. 500) o Became best educated communities o Nunneries also founded— St. Scholastica founds first order of Benedictine nuns Shared belief bonded the people together The church served as a stable force as well as social center Power of the Church

Pope Gregory the Great ( ) Successful administrator and persuasive personality—greatly increased the power of the pope (successor of St. Peter) Wrote about religious works Broadened the Church’s power by becoming involved in secular affairs Sponsored conversion efforts—sent St. Augustine to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons

The Clergy Religious officials had different ranks within the church structure

The Medieval Catholic Church  filled the power vacuum left from the collapse of the classical world.  Monasticism:  St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  provided schools for the children of the upper class.  inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war.  libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts.  monks  missionaries to the barbarians. [St. Patrick, St. Boniface]

The Power of the Medieval Church  bishops and abbots played a large part in the feudal system.  the church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe.  tried to curb feudal warfare  only 40 days a year for combat.  curb heresies  crusades; Inquisition  tithe  1/10 tax on your assets given to the church.  Peter’s Pence  1 penny per person [paid by the peasants].

A Medieval Monk’s Day

A Medieval Monastery: The Scriptorium Monks laboriously copied manuscripts by hand—mostly religious works but also “pagan” works from ancient Greece and Rome—centers of the preservation of knowledge in the Early Middle Ages Celtic monasteries especially devoted to learning and to preserving classical civilization

Early Monasticism in England St. Columba founded the monastery at Iona in the 8 th century—island off the coast of Scotland— important center of manuscript illumination and preservation of knowledge—later moved to Kells in Ireland to escape the Vikings

Illuminated Manuscripts; Early Middle Ages Book of Kells: Chi-Rho page—page is vellum and the inks were made from various minerals and plants **The Book of Kells is an Irish (Celtic) illuminated manuscript containing the 4 books of the Gospel **Created in a monastery on the island of Iona **Dynamic Celtic patterns—this chaos contained by the letters, which represent Christ

Romanesque Architectural Style e Rounded Arches & barrel vaults—based on the Roman basilica plan (cruciform) e ca. 900s-1200—examples found all over Europe—reflects regional styles e Thick walls to support roof—aimed towards height e Darker, simplistic interiors. e Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.

The Early Middle Ages was a dangerous time. The social, political, and economic system of feudalism evolved out of this turbulent world