SSWH7 The student will analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, & economics.

DO NOW: Turn to pages 220-221 in your textbook. Read the section at the bottom about Castles. Answer the following questions in complete sentences: How did Castles defend themselves? (2-3 sentences) How did people attack Castles? (2-3 sentences)

MIDDLE AGES: Period in Europe from 500-1500 In between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Renaissance Characterized by de-centralized governments in Europe. Also referred to as “Medieval” times.

FEUDALISM: TERMS TO KNOW: Organized system of rule in which powerful lords divide their land among lesser lords (vassals) In exchange, vassals pledge service & loyalty to the greater lord TERMS TO KNOW: Fief: piece of land given by a lord to someone of lesser rank in exchange for loyalty Lord/Noble: man of high ranking; rich Peasant: person of the lowest rank; poor Knight: mounted warrior; provided protection Vassal: person given a fief; lower lord

FEUDAL SYSTEM TRIANGLE:

Feudal obligations: Under feudalism, every person had obligations to a superior. The king promised God he would take care of the country. The nobles promised to support the king. The king gave them a fief in return for loyalty and knights. The nobles were then vassals of the king.

KNIGHTS & CHIVARLY: Chivalry: knights adopted code of conduct Must be brave, loyal, & true to their word Chivalry included protecting peasants & noblewomen Women were placed on a pedestal

PEASANTS: Had to work several days a week farming lord’s lands Repaired bridges, roads, fences Had to ask lord’s permission to marry Payments due at Christmas & Easter (paid with things: eggs, chickens, grain, etc.) In return, peasants had right to farm some land for themselves, had protection from lord Could not leave manor freely, but couldn’t get kicked off Granted food, housing, land

MANORIAL SYSTEM: Manor: lord’s estate Center of feudal system Included one or more villages & surrounding lands Peasants lived & worked on manors Serfs: bound to the land; not slaves but not free No trade occurred due to nomadic raids Manors were self-sufficient Included cottages & huts, water mill, church, & lord’s manor house Land divided among serfs to work Pastures for animals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7CanyzhZg

The black death: Symptoms: *egg-sized lumps under skin *fever *vomiting *black spots caused by internal bleeding *spitting blood signaled death Problems: *crops began to rot *demand for higher wages *peasant revolts *buildings and roads fell to ruin Also known as “Bubonic Plague” 1347-1353 Killed 1/3 of the population in Europe (more than 25 million people) Caused by bacteria carried by fleas that lived on rats Most likely originated in China Carried to Europe by merchant ships

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kScxc9DPrnY Pages 274-275

Charlemagne: King of the Frankish Kingdom in Europe. Crowned by Pope as Emperor of the Romans; helped to further divide the eastern & western split of Christianity Conquered several of the other countries Came the closest to uniting Europe under one government. After he died, his kingdom split up.

Charlemagne’s legacy: Extended Christian civilization into northern Europe Blended German, Roman, and Christian traditions Set up strong, efficient governments Valued education as a way to unify his expansive kingdom

Political impact of Christianity: Church was central to medieval life Roman Catholic Church emerges as most powerful force in Europe Most important achievement was converting people No political stability, church was the only thing that remained unchanging Social center; largest public building The Church had a lot of power. People believed that they HAD to do things that the Church told them to do to go to Heaven Without the Church, a person could not go to Heaven.

Church role in society: Papal supremacy: authority over all rulers, including kings & emperors People believed that in order to avoid hell, they must do the following: *had to do good works *believe in Christ *participate in sacraments Controlled people by: *excommunication (condemned to hell for all eternity; banished from Church) *indulgences (payment to have sins forgiven) *Lay Investiture (practice in Western Europe where Kings appointed Church officials) Pope Gregory VII Banned Lay Investiture in order to have more power. King Henry IV of Germany Objected to the Pope taking this away The Pope Excommunicated him Compromise They agreed that the Kings could still appoint Church officials, but the Pope could veto.