1. Early European Middle Ages
C.E.

2. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms
European Middle Ages is influenced by :
Classical heritage of Rome
Roman Catholic Church
Germanic customs

3. The effects of Rome’s collapse included:
1. disruption of trade
2. decrease in learning
3. loss of a common language

4. Personal ties replace structured government
Clovis forges a close relationship between the Franks and the Catholic Church
Monasteries played an important part in spreading Christianity/preserving education
Gregory I helped promote the idea of “Christendom”
Charles Martel preserved European Christendom at the Battle of Tours (732)

5. Charlemagne Ruled 771-814 Ruled a large and unified Western Europe
Spread Christianity
Forged a close relationship with the Church
Encouraged learning
Had his empire split up after his death

6. Feudalism in Europe
Europe was under invasions ( ) particularly by the Vikings
The Viking invasions stop (climate changes, adopt Christianity)
Feudalism emerges as a way of protection
Feudalism had a hierarchy as did society
Manors were self-sufficient communities
Manor life was harsh

7. The Age of Chivalry
Saddles and stirrups made mounted knights the key part of an army during the Middle Ages
To become a knight required to be a page and squire
Knights lived by a code of chivalry
Troubadours helped spread ideas about knights, chivalry and romance
With exceptions, women had restricted ordinary lives

8. The power of the Church
The Church competed for power with political rulers
From the Church hierarchy, the local priests had the most contact with ordinary people
The Church provided many things for the people
Canon law could be enforced by excommunication and interdict
Otto I created the Holy Roman Empire
Pope Gregory VII clashed with Emperor HenryIV over lay investiture
Conflicts (e.g. Battle of Legnano) and German election methods kept the Holy Roman Empire states separate