Medieval Europe “The Middle Ages”

Why was this period referred to as “The Middle Ages”?

It was the period between two very important times…the Fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. In the middle – The Middle Ages Many people thought that nothing important happened during this period. They were wrong!

WHY WAS NORTHERN EUROPE OPEN TO INVASION?

Northern Europe Many people settled in towns along the rivers. In the open fields around the cities, a variety of crops were grown on the fertile soils. The flat land made farming and transportation easier, but it also had a major drawback. What happened because there were no mountains?

INVASIONS! There were no mountains in Northern Europe for protection against invaders. The most frightening invaders of all were the Vikings from Scandinavia. The Vikings could sail their ships up rivers, so the raids weren’t limited to the coastal areas. The attacks were swift and savage, and Europeans lived in terror of Viking raids.

Europe After The Fall of Rome Europe was a dangerous place after Rome fell.. CHAOS!

Without the Roman government, Europe had no central authority to keep order.

Violence was common. People looked for ways to bring order to their lives.

The rulers of these states, usually warlords, called themselves kings The rulers of these states, usually warlords, called themselves kings. These kings often fought among themselves.

The creation of these kingdoms marked the beginning of the Middle Ages.

7.6.3 Student Learning Objective The students will summarize how feudalism provided a social, political, and economic structure for Medieval Europe on a graphic organizer.

Focus Question: What was feudalism and why was it important?

Please turn to page 242 in your textbook.

Where have we seen this guy before?

Why did Feudalism begin Why did Feudalism begin? What word within a word do you hear in feudalism?

FEUD!!!

For protection against invasions. Frankish kings were unable to defend their empire. Nobles had to defend their own lands because they couldn’t depend on protection from the kings. To defend their lands, nobles hired knights, warriors who fought on horseback.

WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR Defeated the English king in the Battle of Hastings. Declared himself the new king of England. To reward his knights for their part in victory, he gave them land. That marked the beginning of FEUDALISM.

What was a knight who promised to support a lord in exchange for land called?

A vassal. This was the heart of feudalism. SERVICE LAND

LAND!!! Aka FIEF!!!!

Why was land such a big deal? There was no Savemart There was no Food For Less You had to grow your own food!

What was the noble called that gave land to the knight in exchange for protection?

A LORD

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH…

OR THIS…

A lord. Lived more comfortably than other people on the manor. A businessman. His word was law on the manor. Had servants and a large house, but life is still not easy. Collected taxes from people who lived on the manor. Lords who survived diseases faced the possibility of being killed in war.

What were the large estates owned by the lords called?

A manor.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH…

Who worked the land?

WHO DO YOU THINK???!!! THE PEASANTS AND SERFS Peasants were poor Serfs were not slaves, but were tied to the land. Peasants were poor workers. They were not tied to the land. Some asked to be serfs for protection.

WHAT MADE LAND VALUABLE? The people who worked it…the peasants. In return, they received protection too. When the peasants left, land lost value.

WAIT A MINUTE… WHAT ABOUT THE LADIES?

Women in the Middle Ages Fewer rights (surprise, right?) Had to obey the wishes of their fathers or husbands. But, women still had important ROLES in society.

Women in the Middle Ages Peasant women worked to support their families. Noblewomen ran manors when their husbands were gone. Noblewomen ran manor households and supervised servants. Some women who wanted power and influence joined the Christian Church.

ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE One of the most powerful people of the Middle Ages. Was a noblewoman who had great political power. Became Queen of France when she married King Louis VII. Divorced Louis and became Queen of England when she married King Henry II.

Towns and Trade Grow As Europe’s food Until 1,000 most people lived on manors or small farms. As Europe’s food supply grew, so did it’s population. As the population grew, so did trade. New technology in farming led to larger harvests.

THE DECLINE OF FEUDALISM Serfs and peasants left their manors for towns, slowly weakening the manor system. REMEMBER…the land was only valuable if it was worked. Do you think the Lords of the Manor were far behind? No! They were already skilled businessmen, so they moved to town and became merchants.