1. Early Middle Ages In Europe 500-1000 CE

2. Early Middle Ages Learning and Civilization Declined, but it was a great time for Germanic Kings and Warriors New society had three roots: Classical heritage from Rome Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church Customs of German tribes

3. More Middle Ages By 600, Priests were almost the only literate Europeans Changes in citizenship: German tribes took over Roman lands Family ties and personal loyalty bound society together (beginnings of Feudalism) – a contract between serfs (produce food), nobility (protection) People belonged to a family and followed one leader (like a TRIBE or CLAN) They felt no obligation to obey a king who was a stranger

4. Even more Middle Ages Christianity won new followers Roman Catholic Church was the strongest civilizing force in W. Europe In the 300s and 400s Christian missionaries spread beliefs to German & Celtic groups Clovis, leader of N. Gaul, converted to Christianity – won more German tribes over

5. Monastic Life Benedictine rule Monasteries – communities of Christian men or women Lived according to rules of: poverty, chastity, obedience Benedict was a monk who wrote a book of rules for monastic life Monasteries operated schools, maintained libraries, and copied books (manuscripts) leading scholarly centers of the day Also Dominicans, Franciscans, etc…

6. Christianity Rules Pope Gregory the Great Made the papacy an office of political & spiritual power Foresaw a churchly kingdom, ruled by a pope – this idea became a central part of the Middle Ages Charles Martel – “The Hammer” Led the Franks and defeated a Muslim army in Spain at Battle of Tours in 732

7. Charlemagne King of the Franks (768- 814) Forced people to become Christian Conquered with his armies: by 800, had lands in Italy, France, Germany, and N. Spain (larger than Byzantine Empire) First to unite W. Europe since the Romans His court became a center of learning – the Carolingian revival Crowned emperor by Pope – Holy Roman Empire

8. The Vikings: Culture From Scandinavia pagans, worshiped warlike gods (Thor, etc.) names like “Eric Bloodaxe” Were traders, farmers, and explorers Last great raiders of W. Europe Raided European settlements from Ireland to Russia, 800-1000 CE Had kingdoms in Ireland and much of England – stopped there by Alfred the Great in 886 Settled down in many areas; such as French Normandy (Northmen or Norsemen = Normans) Settled Iceland; explored Greenland (Eric the Red) and Newfoundland in N. America (Leif Ericson) Adopted Christianity, decline after AD 1000

9. Norse Words Today: Tuesday: after the Norse god Tyr Norse god of war, only had one hand, the other was bitten off by the wolf Fenris Wednesday: after the Norse god Odin (Wodin) Father of the gods, all knowing because he drank from the spring of wisdom Thursday: After the Norse god Thor God of Thunder Friday: After the Norse god Freya Goddess of love, most beautiful goddess Fenris: will swallow the world at the end of time: Ragnarok Grrr.

10. Feudalism: A highly decentralized form of government that stressed mutual protection between monarchs & nobles. Fief (land) for oath of fealty (loyalty) & military service Oath of fealty makes one a vassal Serfs grow food for protection Most of Europe was using this system

11. Manorialism: Fief-estates with peasants, became manors Manors were self sufficient Three field system of crop rotation Moldboard plow Lords took oath of loyalty in exchange for power over Manor Knights provided protection for Manor & King

12. Knights: Code of Chivalry: be brave in battle fight fairly keep promises defend the church treat women of noble birth in a courteous manner Knight swearing Fealty