1. FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO CHARLEMAGNE
GERMANIC KINGDOMS, CHARLEMAGNE,
VIKINGS AND OTHER INVADERS

2. Kingdom of the Franks
After the fall of Rome, the Western Roman Empire became a number of states ruled by German kings
The only kingdom to last long was the kingdom of the Franks
Established in Gaul (modern France) in the late 400s by Clovis – Merovingian family
He converted to Christianity around 500 when his troops won a difficult battle
First Germanic ruler to do so
This conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church

3. .

5. Different view of law
Roman system – murder is a crime against the state, not the person
Germanic law – murder is a personal crime, could lead to a blood feud

6. Wergild – “money for a man” – a system using a fine was developed to avoid bloodshed after crimes such as murder
Injured party’s family was paid a set amount of money (varied by social status)
Ordeal – one way of determining guilt, based on a belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished
If the accused was unharmed after a physical trial, they are presumed innocent
One of these mayors was Charles Martel and he led the forces who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), which stopped the spread of Islam into Europe

7. Merovingian Family
Clovis = Clotilda Theuderic I Chlodomer Childebert I Chlothar I 3 sons Sigibert I Gunthram I Charibert I Chilperic I = Brunhilda = Galswintha = Fredegund Childebert II Chlothar II 2 stepchildren Samson Theudebert II Theuderic II Rigunth Sigibert II Dagobert I

8. Charlemagne
Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great” ruled from 768 – 814
Strong warrior and statesman, and a devout Christian
Many historians consider him one of the most important leaders in European history
Unified Europe for the first time since the fall of Rome
Expanded the Frankish kingdom – Carolingian Empire

9. Became the most powerful Christian leader when in 800 he was crowned as Emperor of the Roman People
The title implied that Charlemagne had restored the glory of the Roman Empire in Europe – idea of an enduring Roman empire
Charlemagne’s rule had the full backing of the Church and God
Charlemagne promoted learning which he led to the Carolingian Renaissance
Renaissance = a rebirth of learning and culture
It was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works of the Greeks and Romans

12. Invaders
The relative peace of Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long
Magyars = Invaded from the east, originally from central Asia
Fierce warriors and skilled horsemen
Muslims = Invaded from the south
In the 700s the Muslims crossed over from northern Africa and conquered Spain, which they would rule for the next 700 years

13. The Vikings The fiercest warriors were the Vikings
Came from Scandinavia – countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden
Viking Raids
Great shipbuilders and sailors, ships could carry crews of 100 and could cross the ocean

14. Viking raids were quick and devastating
There was no warning before a Viking attack
Fast-moving ships allowed the Vikings to reach their targets quickly
Could sail upriver to attack inland
They killed or captured anyone in their way, took what they wanted, and sailed away
First targets of Viking raids were England and northern France, but were soon far-reaching
They even attacked Russia and Baghdad
Among the Vikings’ favorite targets were monasteries

16. Viking Settlements
One of the first places settled by the Vikings was Iceland, followed years later by Greenland
Vikings under the command of Leif Eriksson even reached North America, settling on the eastern shore of Canada
They were the first Europeans to reach North America

18. The threat of these invaders and the lack of a strong central government led to a new political and social system as people turned to local landed aristocrats to protect them - Feudalism

19. Feudal System Developed out of the need for protection from invaders
People wanted land and protection, and there was no central gov’t (Rome had fallen)
Nobles had to find a way to defend their own lands
Built castles for defense
Needed trained soldiers for their own private armies, the most important of which were knights

21. Knight = highly skilled and heavily armored soldiers who fight on horseback
Being a knight was expensive – had to purchase weapons, armor, and horses
Knights demanded payment for their services
Wealth was based on owning land – main source of income since there was little trade
Most knights were paid with land for their services
Vassal = person who owes military service to a lord who has given him land
Fief = the land given to a vassal for service
Feudal system = the system of exchanging land for service

22. Feudalism
GIVES LAND LORDS VASSALS OWES MILITARY SERVICE

23. Feudal Obligations
Idea of Vassalage = came from Germanic society where warriors swore an oath of loyalty to their leaders
This act of loyalty was at the heart of the feudal system
Feudal contract – set of unwritten rules that determined the relationship between lord and vassal, both the lords and vassals had responsibilities

25. Responsibilities of the vassal
Owed the lord military service – usually 40 days a year
Must promise to remain loyal to lord
Helped to advise the lord
Certain financial obligations, such as paying ransom for a captured lord and giving monetary gifts on the wedding of the lord’s eldest daughter and knighting of the eldest son
Responsibilities of the lord
Supported the vassal with a grant of land
Protected the vassal against enemies and in court
Treat vassal fairly and not demand too much of their time and money
Act as judge in disputes between knights

26. Knights Knights became the dominate part of warfare
Held great prestige and the institution of knighthood united the nobility
Young knight, with no responsibilities, participated in tournaments in which knights showed off their skills, with the joust being the main event

28. Chivalry = ideal of civilized behavior among knights and nobility
Knights were expected to:
Defend the Church and defenseless people (especially women)
Treat captives as honored guests (ransoming other knights = money)
Noble women could legally hold property, but they still remained under the control of men

29. The Manorial System
The feudal system was basically a political and social system
The manorial system was the heart of medieval economics
Built around large estates called manors
These landowning nobles needed the leisure to pursue war and their feudal obligations – no time to farm
Instead peasants worked the lands of these estates

31. Manor lords gave the peasants protection and plots of land for themselves and their families and in return, the peasants had to farm the lord’s land, along with other services
Most of the peasants were serfs = peasants who are legally bound to the land, the manor on which they serve
They were not slaves (could not be sold), but they were not free to leave the manor or marry without the lord’s permission
Serfdom was hereditary
Serfs worked the lord’s land, helped maintain the estate, paid rent, and were under the lord’s control
The manor lord also had the right to try serfs in his own courts

32. Give land, protection Lord Peasant Farm the land