1. An overview of life in the Middle Ages
Medieval Times
An overview of life in the Middle Ages

2. The Middle Ages in 3.5 Black Adder

3. Learning goals By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
understand how a new European civilization arose based on Roman and Germanic values and traditions
explain how the Frankish rulers gained control over Europe
describe the significance of Charlemagne in re-uniting Western Europe

4. Anticipation Guide What’s your opinion? Agree or disagree:
Successful governments should establish a firm separation between the powers of church and state
Individual rights do not need to be included and defined in a constitution
Farming societies promote more secure and peaceful lifestyles than do societies that are centered upon industrial growth

5. Periods of Study 1. Early Middle Ages: 476 – 1050 CE (Dark Ages?)
Barbarian tribes sack and destroy the Western Roman Empire – Eastern world flourishes
Small independent kingdoms spring up in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Britain.
2. Late Middle Ages: 1050 – 1450 CE
Development of Feudalism (knights, lords and vassals), the Crusades, Magna Carta, Black Death, Hundred Years War, Age of Exploration…

6. Rise of the Barbarian Warlords
as the Western Roman Empire collapsed, warlords fought for control
Italy was occupied by invading tribes and ruled by ‘chieftans’/warlords
Most influential tribes were: (see map)
Huns (East)
Vandals
Angles
Saxons
Lombards
Franks
Barbarian tribes caused chaos, but left a legacy too (stirrups, pants, the yoke, butter, rye bread, water mills, barrels…)
The most successful chieftan was Clovis, king of the Franks ( )
Frankish kingdom est. from Belgium to Mediterranean Sea
Clovis baptized as a Catholic – important precedent set
Charles Martel (‘The Hammer’) stops the Arab advance of Islam into Europe (732)
beginning of the Merovingian line of kings (descended from J.C.???)
Martel’s son Pepin starts new line of rulers – Carolingians
relationship with the church secured

7. Charlemagne most famous of the Carolingian rulers of the Franks (Gaul)
‘Charlemagne’ = Charles the Great
appointed Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome on Christmas Day, 800 CE
successful military general
his rule is known as the ‘Carolingnian Renaissance’ – period of great revival of learning
established schools to educate clergy
enforced church law and encouraged all to live a “Christian life”
Latin standardized
Educated and competent administrators

8. The Spread of Christianity
missionary monks bring Christianity to pagans in northern and eastern Europe between 400 and 1100 CE
known as the “Age of Faith”
church becomes more powerful than kings or nobles!!!
- own government, laws, courts, and tax system
missionaries – responsible for spreading Christianity and converting non-Christians:
St. Patrick – Ireland 432
St. Augustine – England 597
St. Boniface – Germany 601
By 1100 nearly all of Europe was Christian
Stained glass windows were used to educate the illiterate about Christianity