1. Ch 13 European Middle Ages

2. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
Sec 1

3. Middle Ages
The gradual decline of the Roman Empire ushered in the Middle Ages, or medieval period that last from about 500 to 1500
During this time a new society emerged with roots in the heritage of Rome, the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church and the customs of various Germanic tribes

4. Invasions of Western Europe
In the fifth century, Germanic invaders overran the western half of the Roman Empire

6. Effects of Germanic Invasions
3 main effects of the Germanic Invasions
Disruption of trade
Downfall of cities
Population shift from cities to the countryside

7. Other Effects
Other effects included a decline of learning and the loss of a common language

8. Germanic Kingdoms
In the years of upheaval between 400 and 600, small Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces
While the kingdoms changed frequently the Church remained to provide order and security

10. What was government like under the Romans?

11. Change of Government
Loyalty to the government and written law was replaced by loyalty to family and unwritten laws and traditions
The stress on personal ties made it impossible to establish orderly government for large territories

12. Clovis Rules the Franks
In the Roman province of Gaul (France), a Germanic people called the Franks held power
Their leader Clovis brought Christianity to the region and united the Franks into one kingdom

14. Germans Adopt Christianity
With the help of Frankish rulers the Church converted many Germanic peoples
To adapt to the rural lifestyle monasteries were built
Monasteries became a center of learning in the Middle Ages

16. Church Expands its Power
Under Pope Gregory I, the Church broadened its power by becoming involved in politics
The Pope used Church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and help the poor

18. An Empire Evolves
In 751, the Carolingian Dynasty came to be ruler of the Franks
In 771, Charlemagne came to rule the kingdom and extend the empire
Charlemagne united western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire

20. Holy Roman Emperor
In 800, Charlemagne traveled to Rome to crush a mob that had attacked the Pope
In exchange the Pope crowned Charlemagne, Roman Emperor
This event marked the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and Roman heritage

23. Death of Charlemagne
After Charlemagne death in 814, the empire lost strength under his son and grandsons
The lack of central authority led to a new style of governing and landholding- feudalism

24. Feudalism In Europe
Sec 2

25. Invaders Attack Western Europe
From about , invasions destroyed the Carolingian Empire
Vikings from Scandinavia were a warlike people that raided Europe and explored the world
Muslims from North Africa invaded Spain and Italy

28. Effects of Raids
These invasions caused widespread disorder and suffering
Kings could not effectively defend their land from invasion so people no longer looked to a central ruler for security
Many people turned to local rulers who had their own armies

29. Feudalism Structures Society
The feudal system is based on rights and obligations
In exchange for military protection and other services, a lord, or landowner, granted land to a vassal

31. Knights
Knights- mounted horsemen who pledged to defend their lord’s land in exchange for land

32. Serfs
In Europe in the Middle Ages, the vast majority of people were peasants
Most peasants were serfs, peasants who could not lawfully leave the land where they were born
Annoying Peasant

34. Social Classes
In the feudal system, status determined a person’s power and prestige

35. Manors The manor was the lord’s estate
The manor system was the basic economic arrangement of the Middle Ages
The lord provided serfs with housing and protection and the serfs tended the land, took care of the animals, and maintained the estate

36. Self-Contained World
Peasants rarely traveled more than 25 miles from their homes
The manor contained the lord’s manor house, a church, workshops, a village, and was surrounded by fields
The manor was largely a self-sufficient community
The peasants raised or produced nearly everything that they needed

37. Harshness of Manor Life
Peasants paid a high price for living on the lord’s land
The peasants had to pay high taxes to the lord and to the church
Peasant cottage often had one or 2 rooms and dirt floors
Pigs were brought into the house to warm the houses
Families often slept together on a bed of straw often filled with insects

38. Harshness of Manor Life
Life for the peasant was all about work
Average life expectancy was about 35 years

39. Chivalry
Sec 3

40. Warfare During the Middle Ages, nobles were constantly at war
Mounted knights were the most important part of the army
Lords gave knights land in exchange for loyalty
The land given to the knights gave them enough wealth to devote their lives to war

41. Chivalry
Chivalry- complex set of ideals that demanded a knight fight bravely for his lord, God, and his lady
The ideal knight was brave, loyal, and courageous
Most did not meet these demands

42. Knight’s Training
Sons of nobles were sent off to the castle of another lord at the age of 7 to serve his host and begin training
At 14, the boy became a squire, servant to a knight
At around the age of 21, a squire became a knight

43. Tournaments
To gain experience some knights took part in tournaments that were mock battles
jousting

44. Brutal Warfare
By the 1100s, castles dominated the landscape of western Europe
Attacking armies used a wide range of weapons and strategies to force castle residents to surrender including siege towers and catapults
Defenders of castles would pour boiling water, oil, or molten lead on enemy soldiers
Castle Siege

45. Power of the Church
Sec 4

46. The Church
Amid the weak central governments, the Church emerged as a powerful institution
The Church gave people stability during tough times

47. Structure of the Church
Like the feudal system, power was based on status
The Church was headed by the Pope
All clergy, bishops and priests, fell under his authority

48. Unity
The Church gave the people of Europe a common bond during a time of political instability and constant warfare
The Church unified people through beliefs, rituals, and a system of justice
Church law provided guidelines for things such as marriage and religious practices

49. Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire- German-Italian empire that remained the strongest state in Europe from 962 to about 1100

50. Feudalism
YouTube - Knights Tale Tribute-- WE WILL ROCK YOU