1. Early Medieval Europe (476 – 1000)
An Age of Darkness?

2. Gradual Settlement in Europe
Germanic tribes continue to wander through Europe
Generally, Germanic peoples conquer and then intermarry with the native populations
Dependence mostly on subsistence agriculture and barter economy
First large area to become politically organized and settled was “Gaul,” dominated by the Franks

3. Kingdom of the Franks Established a stable monarchy
Early conversion to Christianity throughout the remnants of the Roman Empire in Gaul
Here and elsewhere in Europe, division of the population into 3 groups: warriors, clergy, and serfs (sometimes overlapping categories)
Charlemagne, king of the Franks, one of the most powerful ruler in the early Middle Ages.

4. Feudalism both a political and an economic system
an exchange of land (a fief) for military and political loyalty (a sworn Christian oath)
extremely hierarchical
presumes the self-sufficiency of the manor

5. Growth of Christianity
Consolidation of powers of the Roman popes
Several centuries of continuous evangelism to the Germanic tribes
Rise of monasticism

6. Monasticism
monks who followed the “Rule” established by St. Benedict ( )
ideal of a life of constant prayer, work, and study
vows of chastity, obedience, poverty
men only

7. The Monastery
a kind of self-sufficient manor with many social and cultural functions:
havens and sanctuaries during times of war or disaster
centers of learning and literacy; libraries; scriptoriums
schools
agricultural and medical expertise

8. Early Medieval Music
Development of Gregorian chant (named for Pope Gregory “the Great”)
a single line of melody sung in unison
a kind of abstract, non-emotional form
sung primarily by clergy, not by the congregation

9. Early Medieval Arts Largely devoted to religious creations and crafts
Great accomplishments in manuscript illumination
illustration of Bibles, prayer books, other texts
sometimes used for religious purposes
sometimes completed through aristocratic patronage