Western Europe

Problems 550-900 CE Rome’s decline left Italy fragmented but Rome still the center of the growing Catholic church Spain in the hands of Muslims Center of the postclassical west (France, Low countries, and southern/western Germany) had new civilization Frequent invasions by the Vikings No intellectual life (only Catholic church monasteries kept some scholarship alive)

Vikings

The Manorial System: Obligations and Allegiances Political organization largely local Manorialism- system of economic and political relations between landlords and their peasant laborers where most people were serfs (agricultural workers who received some protection from landlords) Life of serfs not easy Serfs were not slaves; they could not be bought or sold and they retained ownership of their lands as long as they kept up with their obligations

Feudal Monarchies Feudal relationships linked military elites, mostly landlords, who could afford the horses and iron weaponry to fight. Greater lords provided protection to the lesser lords called vassals Early feudalism local, while Charlemagne’s feudalism more stable- he paid his bureaucrats with estates- this inhibited the development of strong central states France England- 1066- William the Conqueror- Duke of Normandy- invaded England and extended his tight feudal system to England

Limited Government Strong monarchies didn’t develop evenly throughout Europe- west divided and diverse Growth of monarchy cut into aristocratic power but this led to new statements on the limits of kings 1215 – Magna Carta- confirmed feudal rights against monarchical claims Late 13th century- creation of parliaments- represented nobles and church

Charlemagne and His Successors Royal house of the Franks grew in 8th century and Carolingians took over the monarchy (Charles Martel- or Charles the Hammer- defeated the Muslims in the battle of Tours in 732 and helped confine the Muslims to Spain) Around 800 Charles the Great, or Charlemagne,( part of the Carolingian line) established strong empire in France and Germany Helped restore some church-based education in western Europe and there was a slow recovery of intellectual activity

Died in 814 and empire split into three portions of inheritance for three grandsons (modern France, Germany, and low countries of Switzerland, and northern Italy) but these were weak rulers and this lead to gradual emergence of regional monarchies and absence of strong bureaucracy Strong cultural unity with Christianity but no single language or government Royal houses claimed the title of emperor around 10th century and called themselves Holy Roman emperors (merging Christian and classical themes)

The West’s Expansionist Impulse East central Europe-from 11th century- Germanic knights in Germany and Poland Spain- small Christian states in the north slowly attacked Muslim government, which ultimately was pushed out by 1492 Crusades against the Muslim control of the Holy Land 1095- Pope Urban II called for First Crusade 1097- met in Constantinople- then conqueror Jerusalem, which they held for a century, until Saladin recaptured it in the 12th century Showed the aggressive spirit of the western middle ages but also exposed the west to new cultural and economic influences from the middle east and a thirst for trade

Medieval Europe and the Catholic Church Catholic church only example of solid organization after Roman collapse Authority of the church and cultural dominance of Christianity with the intellectual diversity of university life

The Decline of the Medieval Synthesis 12-14th Centuries Feudal political structures balanced by emerging central monarchies Strong monarchies adjust state boundaries, Hundred Year’s War between France and England in 14th and 15th centuries (kings eventually had to reduce dependence on nobility and new military methods challenged the monopoly of feudal lords)- ended with French victory (Joan of Arc) but showed signs of stress in French monarchy Disease- Black death 1348 Destroyed population

Signs of Strain 14th century ruling class showed signs of confusion. Claim to power always in control of land and military prowess but now open to question. Chivalry gained ground. Upper class became more cultivated. Shift in balance between church and state. French kings wielded great influence over papacy in early 14th century. Pope moved to Avignon and then back to Rome. Religion still popular but the church as an institution not popular Breakdown in intellectual synthesis – church officials less tolerant of intellectual daring.

The Postclassical West and Its Heritage After 900 gains in population, trade and cities, and intellectual activity created a vigorous period in European history Lasting impacts- universities, gothic style of architecture, new ideas about government Change in the relationship between Europe and the regions around it as Europe gained strength. Advance by imitation. Crusades a distinctive expansionist spirit