The Middle Ages of Europe Unit 8 Chapter 13 EQ: What is the legacy of the Middle Ages?

Transition into the Middle Ages Occurred after the Roman Empire fell Lasted from Roots from: – Classical heritage of Rome – Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church – Customs of some Germanic tribes

Transition into the Middle Ages One of the reasons Rome fell was due to invasions by Germanic tribes. Results of these invasions included: – Disruption of trade – Downfall of cities – Population shifts – Loss of knowledge, culture, and language

Transition into the Middle Ages Germanic kingdoms emerged after the fall of Rome Government changed – People were loyal to their communities, not to an empire, written law code, or ruler

Germanic Peoples and Christianity Eventually the Germans adopted Christianity – Clovis and the Franks Baptized and established a lasting relationship with the Church – Mass conversions to Catholicism – Fear of other groups led people to convert

Charlemagne Charlemagne took over the Frankish kingdom and expanded his rule. – He reunited western Europe and had the largest empire since Ancient Rome. – After protecting different regions from invaders, he was named emperor by the pope.

Charlemagne Charlemagne’s empire eventually broke apart due to internal struggles of his 3 sons. – Each wanting control, they broke the empire into 3 kingdoms Without a single powerful authority, a new system emerged: feudalism.

The End of Charlemagne’s Empire Muslims and Vikings attacked the weakened empire Muslims attacked from the East and South Vikings attacked from the North. – Vikings were another group of Germanic people

Feudalism in Europe Feudalism-system of governing and landholding – Focuses on rights and obligations Hierarchy: – King – Church Official (bishops) – Lord – Noble/Vassal – Knight – Peasant/Serf

Feudalism in Europe Kings ruled over the regions Church Officials had authority in the church and would advise the king Lord’s owned large pieces of land (manors) Lord’s would give Vassals (Nobles) pieces of land (fiefs) Vassals/Nobles would hire knights to protect the land Serfs were the poorest people, they were legally bound to the land. – Not slaves, but anything produced on the land belonged to the lord.

Chivalry Knights were loyal to their lord Chivalry-complex set of ideals – Knight must fight bravely for 3 masters: Lord God Wife – Knights were also defend and protect the poor

Women in the Middle Ages Women were deemed inferior to men – Encouraged through Church doctrine Noblewomen – When a nobleman died, his wife would inherit the estate. – Also had the ability to send knights to war, act as a military commander Peasant Women – Labor in the home and fields – Child bearing and rearing – Uneducated

The Roman Church Hierarchy of the clergy: – Pope – Cardinals – Bishops – Priests During the Middle Ages, the Church attempted to have both a religious and political influence.

The Roman Church Religion was a uniting force among feudal people. – Doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, all good people go to Heaven, all bad people go to Hell. – The meek shall inherit the Earth – Sacraments (religious ceremonies) were given to all, despite status. Ex: Communion

The Church and the Holy Roman Empire Holy Roman Empire = the new empire under the Germanic Nation. Lay investiture- kings of the empire could appoint religious officials – Why could this be a problem?

Charlemagne’s Empire: Disunity Multiple rulers tried to lead the Holy Roman Empire, however – Too many conflicts between the kings and the Church – Internal battles between kings and the Lombard League (a militarized group of Italian merchants) No unity among the empire, only fragmented pieces of feudal states.