2.  Middle Ages  Germanic Invasions  Rise of the Church  The Pope  Charles Martel  Charlemagne  Invaders In Europe  Vikings  William the Conqueror  European Feudalism  Lords/Vassals  Knights  Serfs  Manors  Feudal Pyramid

3.  Period from about 500-1500, also known as the medieval period  First half from 500-1000 is known as the Early Middle Ages, or the Dark Ages- period of intellectual decline after the fall of the Roman Empire (476 AD).  Had its roots in:  Rome, the Roman Catholic Church, and customs of Germanic tribes (northern Europe).

4.  Germanic tribes in Northern Europe such as the Goths begin sacking and pillaging cities after the Fall of Rome.  Disrupts Trade (No ideas being spread)  Downfall of Cities (little administration)  Population becomes rural  Loss of Latin language; Germans mix it with own languages and form hybrids we still see today.

5.  What do people do?  RCC provided order and security during invasions after governments became weak.  Structure of government changes  Church becomes most powerful political force in Middle Ages  Monks in monasteries - education

6.  Pope = leader of RCC – becomes a political force with great power over people.  What happens if you disagree with the pope?  Hierarchy –  Pope  Cardinal  Bishop  Priest  People

8.  Leader of the Franks (modern-day France)  732 Battle of Tours – Martel wins a victory that halts the Islamic advance and maintains Christianity in Western Europe  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztoNqerM rd8

9.  “Charles the Great” - 6’4’’ tall – imposing guy.  Unites parts of Western Europe, spreads Christianity  Named emperor by the pope in 800 after putting down a mob  Last strong King for a while

10.  Muslims and Magyars invade and break down central authority.  No clear rulers to stand up to the invaders.  Power of kings fades; now any leader who can fight the invaders gained followers and political strength.

11.  From Scandinavia – Northmen or Norsemen  Warriors and Sailors, worshiped warlike gods and had names like Eric Bloodaxe and Thorfinn Skullsplitter.  Used Warships to raid coastal towns  Technological innovators – Viking Warships  Leif Ericsson – reaches North America in c. 1000 AD

13.  From Normandy – northern France  Problem of succession in England – who is going to be king?  Conquers England in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings – Becomes ruler

14.  With the invaders and conquerors inflicting fear on the people, they turn to local protection.  Feudalism – exchanging land for service, labor, or military service.  Essentially, someone with money and land is going to give it to another person. Then that person provides military support or other services in return.

15.  Lord- a landowner who gives land (fief) to another person.  That other person is a vassal = gets land, gives service.  Lords and Vassals are a generic name (tissue) that will have more specific names (Kleenex).  In Europe, the feudal structure looks like this :  Kings -> Nobles -> Knights -> Serfs

16.  Knights – mounted horsemen who defend lord’s lands in exchange for fiefs  “Will work for land.”  Knights were held in high honor in Europe. They lived by a code of chivalry – fight bravely for 3 things: his lord, God, and his lady

18.  Mostly peasants – bound to the land they worked  Not exactly slaves, though. Lords couldn’t sell or buy them.  What they produce lord.

19.  Manors – lord’s estate/house.  Serfs lived and worked on the manor. In exchange, the lord gives them food and a place to live safely.  Typically nobles – person of high rank by birth in society.  Aristocracy

20.  Manorialism – economic system for nobles and serfs Manor House Church Artisan’s shop Field of peasants working

21. Copy this one down somewhere in your notes – you’ll need to be familiar with this system.