intro to the dark and middle ages - mr. farshtey's...

Intro to the Dark andMiddle Ages

Effects of the Fall of Rome Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.

Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.

Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes.

Kingdoms were always at war with one another.

People lost interest in learning.

Warfare increased. Trade decreased.The “Dark Ages” began.

The “Dark Ages” Historians call the period following the fall of

Rome the “Dark Ages.”

Formally, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages.

It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.

Disruption of Trade Merchants’ businesses were destroyed by

barbarians Unsafe to trade No Trade = No Cultural Diffusion

Downfall of Cities People retreat to countryside to evade

invaders

Lack of central government administration

More people live in rural areas than urban centers

Decline of Learning Germanic tribes were illiterate and had no written

language Illiteracy + Lack of Written Language = NO

VALUE ON EDUCATION

Loss of Common Language Germanic invaders did not speak Latin

Various dialects form from mixing Latin and Germanic languages By the 800s, French and Spanish had evolved

No Common Language = NO UNITY

Germanic-style Government Allegiance to family tribes as opposed to a

state No central authority; lack of an emperor No loyalty to a king; no “Hail Caesar”

The Rise of EuropeThe Early Middle Ages

During the early Middle Ages, Europe was a relatively backward region cut off from the advanced civilizations of Byzantium, the Middle East, China and India. Between 700 and 1000, Europe was battered by invaders. Slowly a new civilization would emerge that blended Greco-Roman, Germanic and Christian traditions.

Clovis and the Franks In 481 C.E. Clovis united the Franks and

became their king.

Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith.

Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices.

The Franks & Christianity The leader of the Franks,

Clovis, converted to Christianity to appease his wife and to repay God for a victory (similar to ____________________)

Rome supports Clovis & aids his military campaign to unite all Franks

The Franks & Christianity The Church builds monasteries to convert

German Monastery a religious community of men

(monks) who have given up their possessions to devote themselves to a life of prayer & worship

The Franks & Christianity Importance of monks

Opened schools & maintained libraries

Human printing press copied books; preserved aspects of Roman intellect

Gregory I Pope Gregory the

Great increases the power of the papacy by Becoming involved in

the secular world

Raising armies

Giving charity to the poor

Gregory believed the people of Europe were his responsibility

Charlemagne

Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire.

He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III.

He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.

Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “HolyRoman Emperor”.

During his reign, Charlemagne tried torecreate the Roman Empire. However,

after his death, the empire declined.

Legacy of Charlemagne (Holy Roman Empire)

Revival of Latin learning Extended Christian

civilization into northern Europe

Set up strong, efficient governments.

Began Holy Roman Empire. (Germany)

Could not repel further Viking and Magyar invasions.

The Rise of Feudalism While Charlemagne’s descendants were not

able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages.

Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.

Stabilizing Medieval Europe,700-1000

Stabilizing Medieval Europe New Economic order: Feudalism

Manorialism

The Role of the Catholic Church Regulating Marriage

Regulating Sexuality

Blessing Secular Rulers

Feudalism

Political System = Decentralized

Economic System = Agricultural

Social System = Hierarchical

Feudalism – What is it?

Has variously been described as: A political system / government

An economic system

A social system

A psychological state / mentalité

Feudalism

Medieval people would not haverecognized the term feudalism, but wouldhave talked about vassalage

Vassalage

Occurs between two free people, a lord and his vassal

Solidified by ceremonial swearing of oath of homage Vassal promises allegiance and military service to

lord In return lord grants land Initially the land was held conditionally

No service, no land

Typical Elements of Oath

One’s own name and the name of one’s lord

The fiefs, lands that will be held

Promise of allegiance and service

If one is a vassal of multiple lords- outline the order of loyalty

Typical Elements of theCeremony of Homage

Vassal approaches usually unarmed and kneels before his lord

Swears oath on Gospels, church altar or holy relics and in front of witnesses

Relationship is sealed with the kiss of peace

Complicated Loyalty

Vassals could and often did have multiple lords For this reason, oaths of loyalty could specify the

order of loyalty

Oaths of loyalty could also affect the actions of the seemingly extremely powerful i.e.: even kings were limited by their own oaths of

loyalty

Feudalism and Medieval Households

The Three Categories of Society: Those Who Work: Peasants or Serfs

Those Who Fight: Knights

Those Who Pray: Clergy & Religious

Patterns...

25-50 peasant families support one knight

90% of the population are peasants

Peasants owe 3 days/wk of service + fees to lord. Fees are required : to marry, to inherit

Knights owe 40 days/year service to lord to fight and must supply armaments, horses, etc.

Patterns... Farm output is about 10% of today’s

Midwestern farm.

Peasants (serfs, not slaves) are bound to land but have rights to the land

Manors are economic and military units, with fortifications for defense (a castle), may also be controlled by monastic order or church.

Medieval Manor

Evolved from Latifundiumand Need for Protection

Castle: Fortification

Manor House: Fortification + Wealth

Peasant House

Peasant House

Women Could and DidParticipate in Feudalism

Adela of Blois

Adela of Blois (ca 1060-1137)

Daughter of William the Conqueror

Husband sent on Crusade

Acted as feudal lord in his absence