1. The Middle Ages
~450 AD- ~1400 AD

2. Decay of Roman empire
Invasions end Roman protection of its vast empire
Eventually these areas begin to be taken over by people who used to rule them before

5. Decline of Western Europe
Breakdown of trade: money became scarce.
Cities abandoned – no longer center of economy or administration
Population became rural.
Decline of literacy – priests were the few that were literate.
Languages slowly changed from Latin (Romance languages)

6. Characteristics of the Middle Ages
Lack of a strong central government
Church is powerful
King less powerful
Europe divided into thousands of small feudal kingdoms

7. More Characteristics Rural Education decreases Less trade
Barter system
Living conditions harsh
Laws based on customs

8. Feudalism Feudalism becomes the dominant political system.
At its head is a king. The king trades land to a lower noble for loyalty.

9. Feudalism Based on mutual obligation Provide knights in times of war
Fiefs – land grants
Military protection
Fiefs – land grants
service
protection
Based on mutual obligation

10. Manorial System Economic system of the Middle Ages
Manor – self sufficient farming communities
Little trade between manors
Typical had people
Heart of the manor was the manor house / castle

11. To become a Knight
Sons of nobles began training at an early age for knighthood
Page – at 7 they were sent to another lord to be trained
Squire – at 14 they act as a servant to a knight
Knight- at 21 they become a knight and gain experience in local wars and tournaments

12. Excommunication
Excommunication means you get thrown out of the church. For kings, it can also mean nobles no longer owed loyalty.

13. Papal Power
If the Pope wanted to control a King, he would threaten to excommunicate him or even his whole kingdom. This usually forced the King to do what the Pope wanted him to do.
In this way, the Church controlled many of Europe’s kings

14. The Good Church Preserver of learning Art Shelter for poor
Church offered salvation through the sacraments

15. The Bad Church Amassed wealth Owned land Some where dishonest
Political involvement
Corruption