1. Western Europe
The Middle Ages

2. Overview Unique government decentralized Used the Feudal System
Rise of the Catholic Church

3. Decentralization Small Kingdoms after fall of Rome
Few attempts to centralize
Franks, Charlemagne
System led to Feudalism

4. Feudalism Local King had land Land given to vassals
Promise loyalty, military service
Personal armies protected them (knights)
Peasants looked shelter worked land
Paid taxes, gave gifts, provided manual labor
Region of self-sufficient estates manors

5. Chivalry Code of conduct Developed Courting and Tournaments
Taught Honor, Modesty, Loyalty, Duty
Developed Courting and Tournaments
Never effective more idealistic, not reality

6. Late Middle Ages Rise of Major Cities Rise in Trade Hanseatic League
Alliances between cities, organizations
Hanseatic League
Trade organization among cities in Northern Europe

7. Culture Social Status given at birth Marriage political alliances
Arranged
Catholic Church only central power
Powerful popes
Monasteries preserved literature
Nunneries alternate lifestyle for women