1. The Middle Ages

2. What Are the Middle Ages?
A Period of time between the fall of the Roman Empire in 476CE and the Renaissance in the 14th Century in Europe
Also called the medieval period

3. Early Middle Ages
400 to 900 CE
called the "Dark Ages", due to the lack of literary and cultural output
Charlemagne was an important leader from 768 to 814.
King of the Franks 771
Used warfare to unite Germanic peoples and convert subjects to Christianity
Europe also returned to the feudal system

4. High Middle Ages CE
people were healthier due to warmer climate and the production of more food.
Able to store extra supplies
expansion of the population and cities
A time of trade, exploration, education, and art
The powerful Catholic Church promoted the Crusades
military expedition by Europeans to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims

5. Late Middle Ages 1250-1500CE A period of famine, plague, and wars
Cooler climate forced many to abandon farming leading to famine
The Black Death in 1347 killed more than 20 million people in Europe
Church losses power as people lose faith
Led to a positive change in social structure and eventually the Renaissance

6. The Feudal System
The political, military, and social system in the Middle Ages
Based on the holding of lands or titles in exchange for loyalty and products.
A peasant, Knight, or noble known as a vassal received a piece of land in return for serving a lord or king.

7. Its All About Land Definition:
Vassal
Lord
Definition:
a person granted the use of land, in return for loyalty, products and or military service to a lord
How to become a Vassal:
Receive land from a Lord in exchange for loyalty, goods, or military service can be a lord
Definition:
a person who has authority, control, or power over others and controls property rights
How to become a Lord:
Have land to grants to a Vassal in exchange for loyalty, goods, or military service can be a lord

8. Its Good To Be King
Technically the King owned all lands so every Vassal was under his authority
Any vassal could then be called on for military service
He could revoke all land rights but then the people would rise against him (land bought loyalty)