agenda section 1 continued order out of chaos. fall of rome (476) ends ancient world renaissance...
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda
• Section 1 Continued• Order out of Chaos
Fall of Rome (476) ends ancient world Renaissance (1400ish) starts the modern
world “Middle” (Medieval) ages are the
transition between the two. 476-1400 This is when “Europe” will develop into
what we recognize today- taking the cultural legacies of Greece and Rome, adding the customs of the German peoples, and Christian faith.
Historical Context Byzantine Empire – C.E. 395 – C.E. 1589 Russia (Kiev) – C.E. 862 – C.E. 1500s Rise of Islam – C.E. 570 – C.E. 1250 China – Shang, Zhou, Zin (581) and Han
dynasties have come and gone
Germanic tribe – invaders who had a major role in shaping the “new” culture in Europe.
Clovis – successors – Merovingians – supported by the Church.
After Clovis’ death – the kingdom is divided (typical) – and weakens.
Pepin II united the kingdom again. Charles Martel – pushed back the Moors (732) –
succeeded by Pepin the Short (III) who overthrew the last Merovingian ruler. – Donation of Pepin – led to alliance with the Church.
Charlemagne – ruled for 46 years – solidified unity of the empire – “New Rome” – centered in modern day France and Germany.
Warrior – conquered Italy, Northern Germany and all of France. Pushed back by the Moors in Spain.
C.E. 800 – Christmas Day – Pope crowns him “Emperor of the Romans”
Divided empire into Regions ruled by counts.› Oath of fidelity› “The lord’s messengers” – traveling representatives of
Charlemagne. Education – Charlemagne established schools
run by monks. Emphasized grammar, rhetoric, logic, mathematics, music and astronomy.
Translation of the Bible into readable form.
From 400s-800s life was about survival- who (and what) can keep you safe?
No more central government- Power given to those who provide security
Anything not immediately useful- discarded. Very little knowledge or achievement (the world is ending- why bother?)
Three Parts of SocietyFeudal system. Your place in the world was concrete- you did one of three things
› Nobility (including king) and Knights. In charge of Safety- therefore the government
› Had power and privilege-castles and armor-supposed to use it to protect others
› Inherited position. Wealthy .Educated in fighting- and the law. Code of behavior (Chivalry)
Peasants (farmers, merchants, craftsmen) Work and lifestyle vary widely across Europe- and by what you did- some comfortable- others miserable.
Tough lives: Work from birth until death (at 40!) Education almost unheard of- so we know the least about them
Serfs- lowest group in society- tied to the land. Virtually slaves
The Clergy- the Catholic church. Christianity is the glue holding society
together- the one thing everyone has in common.
Medieval people believed church was the only path into heaven- clergy had HUGE power
Preserved knowledge- only group that was literate. They kept the records
Only group you can “join”- the only real option if you want a different life from the one you were born to.
Came into Gaul (France) as one of first Germanic invaders around 200 ad. “France”= “land of Franks”
United to fight the Goths under Clovis 481- first king after fall of Rome.
Most important contribution of the Franks was the creation of Feudalism- the social/political/economic system of the middle ages.
System of reward and obligation- specific rules which replaced Roman law- ran the medieval world.
Organized around a castle or manor Loyalty in return for protection Like polis-everyone knows their role in
society- feel connected. Like Romans- rules are to be followed no matter what.
King Nobles Nobles
Knights Knights Peasants Peasants Peasants
Peasants
The land in the Feudal system All the land belongs to the king
(kingdoms change size frequently). King gives land to nobles (Duke, Baron, Count, Lord) who defend land with their knights (warriors).
In order to get the fief- you must swear Fealty (loyalty) and pay Homage (honor) every year ($$ )
Oath of Fealty By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I
will to be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and despise all which he despises, according to the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will I ever, with thought or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will punish me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.
II: It is right that those who offer to us unbroken fealty should be protected by our aid. And since such a faithful one of ours, by the favor of God, coming here in our castle with his arms, has seen fit to swear trust and fidelity to us in our hand, therefore we decree and command by the present precept that for the future such be counted with the number of vassals.
The person who GETS the fief. (having sworn fealty)
Nobles who get land must swear to protect all who live there (build castle, pay knights)
All who live there then owe Fealty and Homage to the noble (must work for the noble- and/or pay a percentage of their crop) Serfs come with the land
Feudalism is hereditary- Primogeniture- all land and title goes to oldest son
The purpose of feudalism was protection. Castle main defense- run inside and hide! But if
that doesn’t work- call the knights. Knights were the warriors- Not like Greece and
Rome (where everyone fought)- knights had special training (started in childhood), advanced weapons.
To be a knight you needed› Noble birth/training Jousts- practice fights› Horse became popular › Armor entertainment
Castles- the first line of defenseMotte and Bailey Castles
Greatest Frankish king (768-814) restores order
His rule will end the dark ages- creates “Carolingian Renaissance”
Gave people confidence- full of energy. Excellent warrior- rebuilt cities and schools- tried to regain knowledge (monastaries)
800 Charlemagne goes to Italy to help Pope fight Lombards.
Christmas Day- Pope rewards Charlemagne crowning him “Holy Roman Emperor”- saying that he has restored the glory of Rome- and that his power comes from God. (through pope)
Charlemagne continues to conquer new land- spreading feudalism and order across northern Europe.
Charlemagne had one son- Louis the Pius- not a great leader- so his sons (Charlemagne’s grandsons) force him to give up the kingdom
Empire divided into three pieces (old Frankish tradition- will cause huge problems- and start primogeniture)› Charles the bald (FR) Louis the German (GR)
Lothair (HRE)› Civil war over who got “best” part- “king”
loses power- local nobles gain it. HRE will continue to exist for 600 years- but never be as powerful again
Invasions had never really stopped- but Charlemagne’s strength had kept them away from his territory.
800s- 1000(ish) 3 new sets of invaders start to arrive- and they bring new problems› Moors- Muslims out of north Africa. They want
land eventually take over Spain.› Magyars- From the east- old school invaders
sack/plunder- they want $$$. Can be paid off.
The ones to worry about- most scary of all invaders- ever.
From the North (Scandinavia) expert seamen- used the sea to attack- and leave.
Famous for killing EVERYONE- no mercy, no negotiation- so ½ the battle was the fear.(valhalla)
Culture very different from Europe (pagan, clan culture) very upsetting
Explorers/adventurers- would colonize new world 500 years before Columbus