By Joseph Enge

Revisions: Mike Harvie

I.I. The period in history between the The period in history between the breakup of the Roman Empire (approx. breakup of the Roman Empire (approx. 500 AD) and the Renaissance (approx. 500 AD) and the Renaissance (approx. 1400 AD) has become known as 1400 AD) has become known as The The Middle AgesMiddle Ages, , The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval Period, and , and The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages in Europe, especially in Europe, especially Western Europe.Western Europe.

A.A. In place of the government and In place of the government and order the Roman Empire had provided, order the Roman Empire had provided, a new system called a new system called feudalismfeudalism came came about.about.

B.B. The Christian Church provided the The Christian Church provided the only unifying force, during the Middle only unifying force, during the Middle Ages, for Europe. It provided government Ages, for Europe. It provided government servicesservices

where no non-religious government where no non-religious government existed. And, of course, it bound believers existed. And, of course, it bound believers together.together.

II.II. Under feudalism, ruling power was Under feudalism, ruling power was held by held by lordslords who owned the land. who owned the land.

A.A. Vassals Vassals were granted land by a were granted land by a lord, called a lord, called a fieffief, according to a , according to a contract.contract.1.1. serfsserfs were slaves (to a were slaves (to a

land land parcel.)parcel.)2.2. villeinsvilleins were free but did were free but did

not not own land, rented it insteadown land, rented it instead..

Assessment PointAssessment Point

Constrict a hierarchy diagram of the Constrict a hierarchy diagram of the following page, what was the following page, what was the purpose of having the Villein purpose of having the Villein category?category?

B.B. ManorsManors were estates (areas of land) were estates (areas of land) with a lord's with a lord's manor house manor house (castle) and (castle) and demesnedemesne (lord's barns, stables, etc.) at (lord's barns, stables, etc.) at the center. Lords often had help:the center. Lords often had help:

1.1. stewardsstewards were legal advisers who were legal advisers who reviewed accounts and held court.reviewed accounts and held court.

2. 2. bailiffsbailiffs supervised peasants (serfs) and supervised peasants (serfs) and farm work, collected rents, dues, and farm work, collected rents, dues, and fines.fines.

3. 3. reevesreeves helped bailiffs, but also reported helped bailiffs, but also reported peasant complaints (about manor officials) peasant complaints (about manor officials) to the lord.to the lord.

C.C. Marriages were usually "arranged" Marriages were usually "arranged" and a and a dowrydowry was expected. was expected.

D.D. Feudal manor houses (castles) Feudal manor houses (castles) usually had big stone towers, called usually had big stone towers, called keepskeeps, to provide safety during an attack., to provide safety during an attack.

1.1. High walls with walkways near High walls with walkways near the the top and top and moatsmoats that could be that could be

crossed only by using the crossed only by using the drawbridgedrawbridge also protected the also protected the manor house.manor house.

2.2. The castles themselves, The castles themselves, however, however, were filthy, dark, and cold.were filthy, dark, and cold.

III.III. The Christian Church crossed feudal The Christian Church crossed feudal boundary lines. boundary lines.

A.A. European Christians believed only European Christians believed only the Church could give the Church could give eternal salvationeternal salvation through the through the seven sacramentsseven sacraments..

B.B. But also, the Church handled many But also, the Church handled many government services; it wasgovernment services; it was powerfulpowerful..

What were the seven sacraments, how do you think they derived them?

The new OrderThe new Order

What is the purpose of this new order of things, what are its dangers?

C.C. HeresyHeresy (holding religious beliefs (holding religious beliefs contrary to established church doctrine) contrary to established church doctrine) was punishable by was punishable by excommunicationexcommunication (out of the church,(out of the church, no sacraments, no no sacraments, no salvation) or burned at the stake.salvation) or burned at the stake.

D.D. Pope Innocent III declared himself Pope Innocent III declared himself above any other (human) ruler around above any other (human) ruler around 1200 and said the word of the Church was 1200 and said the word of the Church was final. final.

E.E. The Church had become rich through The Church had become rich through tithes, gifts, and feudaltithes, gifts, and feudal inheritance.inheritance.

F.F.Between 1095 and 1291 the Between 1095 and 1291 the CrusadesCrusades were fought to regain the Holy Land were fought to regain the Holy Land (Jerusalem, etc.) for the Christians(Jerusalem, etc.) for the Christians. .

Assessment PointAssessment Point

Why had the church become SO very Why had the church become SO very powerful?powerful?

What explains their power and What explains their power and influence?influence?

What was the purpose of the What was the purpose of the crusades?crusades?

IV.IV. Toward the end of the Middle Ages Toward the end of the Middle Ages towns and cities redeveloped.towns and cities redeveloped.

A.A. Trade over large areas increased.Trade over large areas increased. 1.1. Money replaced Money replaced barterbarter..

2.2. InterestInterest was charged on was charged on loans.loans.

3.3. CreditCredit made trade travel made trade travel safer.safer.

B.B. Overcrowding in towns brought Overcrowding in towns brought problems.problems.

1.1. Poor sanitation brought Poor sanitation brought plaguesplagues, such as , such as bubonic bubonic plague plague (black death).(black death).

2.2. Also, a new Also, a new middle classmiddle class of of businessmen emerged; businessmen emerged; theythey

formed formed guildsguilds. .

V.V. Finally, united countries formed, Finally, united countries formed, headed by strong monarchies.headed by strong monarchies.

A.A. Merchants (with money) wanted Merchants (with money) wanted safety safety between towns and cities.between towns and cities.

B.B. England, France, and Spain formed England, France, and Spain formed between 1450 and 1600.between 1450 and 1600.

C.C. Germany and Italy did not unite until Germany and Italy did not unite until the 1800's.the 1800's.

Henry VHenry V

American Rhetoric: Movie Speech from Henry V - Saint Crispin's Day Speech