1. Chapter 17:
The Foundations of
Christian Society
in Western Europe

2. The Germanic Successor States, c. 500 CE
Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 CE
Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population
Germanic successor states:
Spain: Visigoths
Italy: Ostrogoths
Gaul: Burgundians, Franks
Britian: Angles, Saxons

3. Successor States to the Roman Empire c. 500

4. The Frankish Empire
In the territory known as Gaul, and what is currently the country of France, the Franks emerged as the dominant tribe in the area.
In the late 400’s, Clovis was the first king of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler. His conversion to Christianity gained him a great ally in the Roman Catholic Church.

5. The Franks Heavy influence on European development
Strong agricultural base
Shifts center of economic gravity to Europe
Firm alliance with western Christian church

6. Clovis (ruled 481-511) Major Frankish leader
Destroyed last vestiges of Roman rule in Gaul
Dominated other Germanic peoples
Franks establish themselves as preeminent Germanic people

7. Clovis’ Conversion to Christianity
Paganism, Arian Christianity popular among Franks
Clovis and army chooses Roman Catholicism
Influence of wife Clotilda
Political implications:
Alliance with western church

8. The Carolingians
Charles “The Hammer” Martel begins Carolingian dynasty
Defeats Spanish Muslims at Battle of Tours (732)
Halts Islamic advance into western Europe

9. Charles de Steuben's Bataille de Poitiers en Octobre 732 depicts a triumphant Charles Martel (mounted) facing ‘Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi (right) at the Battle of Tours.

11. The Carolingian Empire

12. Charlemagne (r. 768-814) Grandson of Charles Martel
Centralized imperial rule
Functional illiterate, but sponsored extensive scholarship
Major military achievements

13. Charlemagne’s Empire

14. Charlemagne’s Administration
Capital at Aachen, Germany
Yet constant travel throughout empire
Spread Christianity
Set Up Education System
Increased Scriptoriums
Alcuin, the leading scholar and educator under Charlemagne introduced the 7 liberal arts
Begins Romanesque Architecture
Expansion of Territory
Imperial officials: missi dominici (“envoys of the lord ruler)
Continued yearly circuit travel

15. Romanesque church in Normandy
Romanesque church in Poland

16. Charlemagne as Emperor
Hesitated to challenge Byzantines by taking title “emperor”
Yet ruled in fact
Pope Leo III crowns him as emperor in 800
Planned in advance?
Challenge to Byzantium

17. Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800

18. The Carolingian Renaissance

19. Carolingian Miniscule

20. Charlemagne crowns Louis the Pious
Louis the Pious (r )
Son of Charlemagne
Lost control of courts, local authorities
Civil war erupts between three sons
Empire divided in 843
Charlemagne crowns Louis the Pious

21. Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses: Treaty of Verdun, 843

22. Invasions South: Muslims East: Magyars North: Vikings
Norse expansion begins c. 800 CE
Driven by population pressure, hostility to spread of Christianity
Superior seafaring technology
Sailed to eastern Canada, northeastern US

23. The dissolution of the Carolingian Empire (843 CE – divided amongst Charlemagne’s grandchildren) and the invasions of early medieval Europe in the ninth and tenth centuries

24. The Vikings From village of Vik, Norway (hence “Viking”)
Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel as well as open seas
Attacked villages, cities from 9th century
Constantinople sacked three times
Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses

25. England
Viking invasions force consolidation of Angles, Saxons and other Germanic peoples under King Alfred (r )
Built navy
Fortified cities against attack

26. Germany and France
King Otto of Saxony (r ) defeats Magyars, 955
Proclaimed emperor by Pope in 962
Establishment of Holy Roman Empire
France endures heavy Viking settlement
Loss of local autonomy

27. Early Medieval Society
Concept of Feudalism
Lords and vassals
Increasingly inadequate model for describing complex society
Ad hoc arrangements in absence of strong central authorities

28. Feudalism
A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

29. Knight
The Armored knight was the pre-eminent weapon in the medieval arsenal. He was worth approx. 50 to 100 common foot soldiers for he could inflict just as much damage.

33. Organizing in a Decentralized Society
Local nobles take over administration from weak central government
Nominal allegiances, esp. to Carolingian kings
But increasing independence

34. Lords and Retainers Formation of small private armies
Incentives: land grants, income from mills, cash payments
Formation of hereditary class of military retainers
Development of other functions
Justice, social welfare

35. Potential for Instability
Complex interrelationship of lord-retainer relations
Rebellion always a possibility
Nevertheless, viable large states developed (Germany, France, England)

36. Origins of Serfdom
Slaves, free peasants in both Roman and Germanic societies
Heavy intermarriage
Appeals to lords, special relationships
Mid-7th century: recognition of serf class
Midway between slave and free peasant

37. Serfs’ Rights and Obligations
Right to pass on land to heirs
Obligation to provide labor, payments in kind to lord
Unable to move from land
Fees charged for marrying serfs of another lord

38. Manors Large, diverse estates
Lord provides governance, police, justice services
Serfs provide labor, income

39. The Medieval Manor

40. Life on the Medieval Manor
Serfs at work

41. Women in the Middle Ages
Noblewomen were responsible for the entire running of an estate while her husband was in battle.
All women had very limited inheritance rights, as all possessions went to the oldest son.
In the Middle Ages, the Church portrayed women as weak and easily tempted into sin. Yet, women were also portrayed as modest and pure in spirit.
Learning was generally discouraged for women.

42. The Economy of Early Medieval Europe
Agricultural center moves north from Mediterranean
8th century iron-tipped plow introduced in Europe
Draft animals bred
Water mill technology
Agricultural output insufficient to support growth of cities
Strong Mediterranean trade despite Muslim domination of sea

43. Norse Merchant Mariners
Commerce or plunder as convenient
Link with the Islamic world for trade

44. Population Growth of Europe, 200-1000 CE

45. The Formation of Christian Europe
Clovis’ conversion forms strong alliance with Roman Christianity
Church supplies Clovis with class of literate information workers:
Scribes
secretaries

46. The Franks and the Church
Protectors of the Papacy
Charlemagne destroys Lombards, who threatened Pope, Rome
Spreads Christianity in northern areas
Support of scholarship, scribal activity

47. The Spread of Christianity
Charlemagne fights pagan Saxons ( )
Saxons later adopt Christianity
Scandinavia, other pockets of paganism until c CE

48. Pope Gregory I (590-604 CE) “Gregory the Great” Asserted papal primacy
Prominent theologian
Sacrament of penance
Major missionary activity, especially in England

49. Monasticism Egyptian origins, 2nd-3rd centuries
Monastic lifestyle expands 4th century
Large variety of monastic rules
Range from extremely ascetic to very lax

50. St. Benedict (480-547) Established consistent rule for monasteries
Poverty
Chastity
Obedience
St. Scholastica ( )
Sister of St. Benedict
Adapts Benedictine Rule for convents

51. A late 15th-century Scriptorium by of Jean Miélot
In the strictest definition of illuminated manuscript, only manuscripts with gold or silver would be considered illuminated.
A late 15th-century Scriptorium by of Jean Miélot
St. Benedict by Fra Angelico, c
Pope Gregory I, by Francisco de Zurbarán

52. Monasticism and Society
Accumulation of large landholdings, serfs
Social welfare projects
Esp. labor contributions
Expansion of literacy
Inns, orphanages, hospitals

53. The Power of the Medieval Church
The church controlled about 1/3 of the land in Western Europe.
Tithe  1/10 tax on your assets given to the church.
Threat of excommunication and an inderdict gave the church tremendous control over European peasants and nobles.
The selling of indulgences, canon law and simony also fortified the church’s power, but led many to recognize these acts as corrupt.

54. Church Secular Influence & Pope Innocent III
The Church claimed authority over all secular rulers, many of whom did not recognize this authority, often resulting in power struggles between monarchs and popes.
When King John of England challenged Pope Innocent III over the appointment of an archbishop, he was excommunicated in 1209.

55. Magna Carta, 1215 “Great Charter” Monarchs were not above the law.
King John I
“Great Charter”
Monarchs were not above the law.
Kings had to consult a council of advisors.
Kings could not tax arbitrarily.

56. The Medieval Church Everyday Life Church wealth & influence
Reform
Church wealth & influence
Some clergy corrupted
Reformers
Nuns & Monks
Set up housing, hospitals, schools
Missionaries Preservation of learning
Everyday Life
Christians attend village churches
Priests run village churches
All Christians pay tithe
Power of the Church
Pope leads
Canon Law
Excommunication/ interdict