The Early Middle Ages SOL WHI.11

Early Middle Ages in Europe  Early Middle Ages  Unofficial ending of Roman Empire (476 C.E.) start of Middle Ages.  Rome was in ruins.  Germanic tribes control former Roman Empire.  Constantly at war.  Middle Ages = Dark Ages = Medieval Age

Germanic Tribes  Ostrogoths - Italy  Franks - Northern Gaul (France)  Burgundians - Southern France/Switzerland  Visigoths - Southern Gaul and Spain  Vandals - Africa  Angles and Saxons - England  Magyars – Northeast Europe

Franks  Franks would emerge as the most powerful of these tribes.  In the 500’s Clovis united the Franks.  stretched his kingdom throughout Gaul (modern-day France).  Converted to Christianity.  Gained support from Roman Catholic Church

Franks  As a result from the threat of Muslim attacks, the Franks reunited under Charles Martel, the son of Pepin the Middle.  Charles Martel ( ) defeated the Muslims in 732 at the Battle of Tours.

Charlemagne  Charles the Great (Charlemagne) took over.  Grandson of Charles Martel.  In 800, Charlemagne helped put down a rebellion in Rome led by Roman nobles.  On Christmas Day of 800, Charlemagne was crowned “Emperor of Rome” by Pope Leo III. Reason

 Charlemagne helped to unite most of Europe under Christianity and single government.  Had support of Roman Catholic Church.  He tried to reestablish the Roman Empire.  While this was unsuccessful he did have some accomplishments:  He spread Christianity.  He promoted Education and Learning. Charlemagne as Emperor

 Charlemagne died in 814.  After his death his grandsons divided up the empire into three smaller empires (Treaty of Verdun).  Remembered for blending traditions of Romans, Germans, and Christians. (cultural diffusion)

Charlemagne Song After song, look over notes for mini review

Mini Review  Who took over the old Roman Empire lands? (General answer)  Locations of the Anglo-Saxons and Franks.  Charles Martel tribe  Charles Martel defeated who and where?  Who crowned Charlemagne emperor of Rome?  WHY?  Treaty of Verdun

Viking Viking (intro vid) What comes to mind?

Vikings  Vikings were a group of people that came from Northern Europe. (Scandinavia)  They were not a united group of people.  One leader would get together several ships and some people and go on a raid.  They were very skilled on water.  Throughout the late 700’s through the 900’s they wreaked havoc on Europe.

Vikings (videos)  Vikings used long wooden ships that allowed them to go far inland on streams and rivers. Who else, besides the Vikings, were known for their sailing abilities?

Vikings

Europe in Trouble  Following the fall of Charlemagne’s empire, invasions occurred throughout Europe.  Europe was invaded by Magyars, Vikings, and Muslims.  This led to people needing to defend their lands and homes.  As a result, feudalism began.

Feudalism (Video)  Feudalism is a social system where king’s give nobles fiefs (land) in exchange for soldiers to serve the king. Nobles give the land to vassals to manage, who distribute the work to serfs (peasants) in exchange for protection.  The land lords were granted by the king was known as a fief.  Manors - villages which made up the kingdom of the king. How did a Feudal society develop in Europe during the Middle Ages?

Feudal Society 1. King - monarch who ruled the kingdom. 2. Lords/Nobles - controlled manors and pledged loyalty and soldiers to the king. 3. Vassals - lesser lords who managed the manors or fiefs. 4. Knights – horseback warriors who protected the land of the lords. 5. Serfs/Peasants – lived on and worked the land owned by vassals.

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How did the medieval manor function as a social and economical system?

Feudal Life  Lords had knights who defended their land.  Also powerful Lords fortified their homes to withstand attack.  These fortified homes were known as castles.

What do you think? 1. Why do you think people built castles during the Middle Ages? 2. Who do you think lived inside castles? 3. What do you think the land around castles was used for? 4. Why do you think people stopped building castles?

Castles  Most lords had a small castle.  They provided shelter as well as protection for people on the manor.  Defensive structures  Kings had larger castles designed to protect people of the kingdom.  Large towers.  Most had drawbridges over a moat (ditch surrounding castle)  Castles also included chapels, since religion was important during the middle ages.

VIDEO

Knights and Chivalry  Once someone became knighted they became protectors of their king.  Knights had to live by a strict code known as chivalry.  Meant being an honorable, brave, loyal and true to their word.

Mini Review 2

The Medieval Church  The Catholic Church played an important role in Medieval life.  Because of hardships of everyday life, Christian teachings brought hopes of salvation (saved from sin) to people.  The church held the path to salvation.  Great deal of power.

The Medieval Church  The church also played a critical role in politics  Educated church officials advised kings and nobles.  The pope became one of the most powerful figures in the world.

The Medieval Church  Under Pope Gregory I(the Great) the church began sending missionaries throughout Europe.  England and Germany.  They converted people and this began the church hierarchy.

Church Hierarchy POPE Cardinals Bishops Priests/monks

Feudalism vs. The Church  Feudalism threatened the power of the Church. WHY/HOW?  This led to clashes between the Pope and rulers of Europe.  To combat this Pope Gregory VII issued the Dictatus Papae.  This sought to give the Pope universal power through the church and the power to throw-out rulers of Christian countries.

Church Life  In monasteries monks and nuns preserved education.  This led to church officials becoming intelligent (smart) leaders  Churches also set up schools to educate young men for church service. When Europe comes out of the Dark Ages, where do you think people will turn for education and inspiration?

Benedictine Rule  530 a monk named Benedict organized the monastery of Monte Cassino in Southern Italy.  He set up rules to regulate monastery life.  Under the Benedictine Rule monks and nuns took three vows.  Obedience to the abbot or abbess (head monk or head nun)  Live in Poverty  Chastity – no sexual relations

Cathedrals  Cathedrals were built in a style that became known as “Gothic”.  They were known for their high ceilings and large windows.  They were built tall so that they could reach the heavens and remind people of the power of God.

Cathedrals  Cathedrals were always built in the shape of a cross with the alter pointing towards the north.  To the east was a stained glass window that was illuminated in the morning.  To the west was a stained glass window that was illuminated in the evening.