Medieval Europe 500-1500 CE

Important Dates 470: The fall of Rome 500 CE – 1500 CE: Middle Ages, or Medieval Period 1066: William of Normandy conquers France 1095: The First Crusade 1147-1272: More than 9 Crusades 1215: King John signs the Magna Carta 1254-1324: Marco Polo lived and traveled 1348-1349: The first outbreak of Plague in England

What changed in Europe from the Classical Period to the Medieval Period?

Feudalism and Manorialism Economic and Social Systems of the Middle Ages

Feudalism You may borrow this land from me! Of course I need something in return… Feudalism was a social and economic system in Europe during the Middle Ages.   There was a contract between lords and vassals. A lord owned land. A vassal promised military service in exchange for some of the lord’s land. The land given to a vassal was called a fief. If you ever need an army to protect you, I will be there to fight! ….And I’ll give you some money too. Lord Vassal

Manorialism You may farm on my land as long as you give me most of your crops and pay rent. Sounds like a pretty bad deal. What are my other options? You don’t have other options. The relationship between the peasants and their lord was called manorialism.   Peasants worked the fields and gave part of their crop to their lord. Peasants received protection from the lord and his vassals in exchange for his labor. Oh. Guess I’ll get to work then… Lord of the Manor Peasant

Play the Quia Game! Click HERE icon to play the Manorialism and Feudalism Game.

The Great Schism

The Great Schism Christianity developed practices and customs, which became organized under two head Churches: one in the Western half of the Roman Empire, and one in the Byzantine Empire. The split of the two churches is called “The Great Schism”.

Roman Catholic Church In the Western part of the Roman Empire, the Roman Catholic Church was the authority of the Christian religion.  A religious leader, known as the Pope, was the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope

Eastern Orthodox Church In the Byzantine Empire (the Eastern part), the Eastern Orthodox Church was the authority on Christianity.

Struggle The Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine leadership struggled over control.

The Catholic Church Most Europeans during the Middle Ages could not read and write. Church clergy, like monks and bishops, continued to learn, read, and write. The Catholic Church preserved culture and learning. They kept Roman writings during the Middle Ages and continued to use Latin for Church writings. A monk copying the Bible

The Crusades

Lets go capture Jerusalem from the Muslims! What were the Crusades? Lets go capture Jerusalem from the Muslims! Volunteer armies from Catholic Europe attacked Muslims in order to gain control over Jerusalem. These wars between Catholic Europe and the Muslims were called the Crusades. Battle between the Muslims and the Catholic Crusaders Crusaders

Why all the fighting? Christians, Muslims, and Jews all believe that the city of Jerusalem is a holy place. From 600 CE – 1095 CE, Muslims ruled Jerusalem. In 1095 CE a new group of Muslims took over Jerusalem and stopped allowing Christians and Jews to enter Jerusalem.

Leave your homes and go to Jerusalem to fight! It is the will of God! A Call to Arms! Leave your homes and go to Jerusalem to fight! It is the will of God! Pope Urban II called upon Catholics of all social classes to fight the Muslims to regain control of Jerusalem. About 30,000 men volunteered and left to fight. Pope Urban II

Why did individuals participate in the Crusades? “For knights, this was a chance to use their fighting skills, something they enjoyed and did well. They were delighted to have such a worthy battle to fight. For peasants, this was a chance to escape from their dreary life in the feudal system. The pope promised that if they died while fighting a holy crusade, they would automatically be welcomed into heaven. For others, it was a chance to have an adventure, and perhaps even to get rich.” (From http://medievaleurope.mrdonn.org/crusades.html) Finally a chance to use all my fighting training! Maybe I’ll even get rich! My life is horrible. At least if I die, I’ll go straight to heaven.

What were the effects of the Crusades? As a result of the Crusades, Europeans learned about the advanced technology that Muslims had created.   Islamic civilization was advanced in science and medicine. 

What were the effects of the Crusades? 2) Western Europe began to trade more directly with the East.

What were the effects of the Crusades? Everyone is leaving their manor for me! I seem to be a lot more powerful than any one lord…. 3) The system of feudalism was broken down. The Crusades weakened the power of individual lords and nobles. Kings and the Pope gained more power. Pope

Play the Quia Game! Click HERE to play the Crusades Game.

Play the Quia Game! Click HERE icon to play the Great Schism and the Roman Catholic Church Game.

Charlemagne I keep order in the Frankish Kingdom! Charlemagne was a powerful Frankish king who took over the Western half of the Roman Empire in the late 8th century.  Charlemagne created a large empire with new laws to keep order.  Charlemagne also strengthened the Roman Catholic Church. King Charlemagne