The Rise of Europe

Chapter 7: 500-1300

Collapse of the Roman Empire created a

decline in Western Europe Invaders, trade declined, towns emptied, very

little classical learning Referred to as the Dark Ages

Currently, it is the Medieval, or Middle Ages

Section 1: The Early Middle Ages

The Early Middle Ages

Germanic Tribes Goths, Vandals,

Saxons, Franks Farmers and

herders lived in small communities

Kings were elected and warriors served them

Clovis, King of the Franks-he conquered Gaul (today it’s France) He converted to

Christianity- made an ally in the Pope

Islam, began in Arabia Took over Christian

lands from Palestine to Spain

Battle of Tours Christians triumphed

over the Muslims and they no longer advanced into Western Europe.

The Early Middle AgesAge of Charlemagne

Charlemagne- Charles the Great

Fought the Muslims, Saxons, Avars, Slavs, and Lomards-able to reunite the Western Roman Empire

Charlemagne was proclaimed Emperor of the Romans for helping Pope Leo III

This upset the emperor in the Eastern Roman Empire- and further divided the two Christian worlds.

The Early Middle AgesAge of Charlemagne

United Christian Empire

Spread Christianity throughout the land and converted many other groups.

Officials to carry out laws and keep detailed records.

Education Encouraged local

schools and wanted Latin to be taught

Charlemagne's Legacy Extended Christian

empire Blended Germanic,

Roman, & Christian traditions.

Strong and efficient governments.

The Early Middle AgesEurope After Charlemagne

After he died his son took over, Louis I Louis I, sons battled

for power-the three divided the empire into three regions, Treaty of Verdun

Invasions Muslims continued to

threaten Magyars, from

Hungary took over Eastern Europe

Vikings Farmers and sailors,

traders, and explorers

Section 2: Feudalism and the Manor Economy

Feudalism- System of rule in which powerful lords divided land among vassals, lesser lords. They provided service and loyalty to the powerful lord.

Land Loyalty and Military service

Knights Left at age 7-to the castle

of his father’s lord. Learned to ride, fight, keep

his armor clean Discipline and training was

harsh and strict Fought on horseback-

swords, axes, and lances as weapons

Wore armor and carried shields

Feudalism and the Manor Economy

Castles Stone high walls,

towers, and drawbridges over moats.

Homes for the lords and fortresses

Noblewomen Took over while the husband

or father was away Some women did inherit land-

most land went to the firstborn son

Women were sent for training in weaving, spinning, and supervising servants

Some learned to read and write

Expected to have many children and serve her husband

Chivalry Brave, Loyal, and true to their

word

Feudalism and the Manor EconomyManors Support Feudalism

Manor- Lord’s estate Lord, Peasants, and Serfs

Serfs, they were not slaves that were brought and sold. However, they were not free and could not leave the land without permission.

Peasants- worked farming the land, repairing bridges and roads. Must ask permission to marry, and they paid to use the grain mill. In return, they had land to farm, protection from war. They

had food, housing, and land.

Feudalism and the Manor Economy

The manor produced everything they needed. Peasants did not have schooling, and rarely left the manor.

Cottages and huts is where the peasants lived. A church, lord’s house, and grain mill were close by. Around the village were strips of land where they farmed, then land for the animals and hay.

Life Men, women and children all worked harsh long hours. Black bread (Rye) with cabbage, turnips, and onions was

a common meal. Rarely did they have meat. Families kept their animals in their huts with them at

night. Christmas and Easter was time to celebrate! A week off

of work, eating, dancing, and sports took place during this time.

Section 3: The Medieval Church The Church was incredibly

important to daily life. Priests interpreted the Bible, guided people on morale issues and helped the sick and needy.

Holidays and celebrations happened at the Church Tithe or tax (1/10 of their

income) went to the Church

Churches started as small wooden structures, then to stone buildings

Cathedrals Gothic style large ornate

buildings.

The Medieval Church

Men and women are equal before God.

On Earth, women are weak and easily led into sin.

Minimum age for marriage, harsh punishments to men that harm women. (Women had harsher penalties sometimes.)

Monasteries and Convents Monks (Men) Nuns (Women) Benedictine Rule

Obedience to the monastery Poverty Chastity

They educated, took care of the sick, and helped others in any way they could.

Church Power Grows Popes claimed Papal

Supremacy, authority over all rulers.

Canon Law Governed, wills,

marriage, and morals. Punishments

Excommunication-not allowed to receive sacraments

Interdict-an entire town, region or kingdom not being allowed to receive sacraments.

Sacraments give a Christian burial- no burial condemns you to hell for eternity.

The Medieval Church Corruption

Wealth began corrupting monks and nuns.

Priests that married, spent less time at the Church.

Reform Benedict Rule was imposed

again. Bishops and nobles had no part

in church affairs. Friars

Traveling monks that preached to the poor.

Jews Lived peacefully with Muslims

and Christians for hundreds of years.

Prejudice from Christians increased. Jews were blamed for illnesses or famine.

They were forbidden from owning land or having jobs.

Few educated Jews were given jobs as financial advisors or physicians.

Persecution forced the Jews to moved eastward in Eastern Europe, where they were welcomed.

Section 4: Economic Recovery Sparks Change

Agriculture Revolution Iron Plows and

harnesses for horses allowed for larger fields

Peasants cleared more unused land and increased the land in which to plant

New system of planting revived the soil and fed more of the population.

Revival of Trade and Travel Chinese silks, gold

jewelry, Asian spices were all traded throughout Europe.

Towns first began as merchants set up centers to make and sell goods. As manor populations

grew, lords allowed peasants to buy their freedom and move to towns.

Economic Recovery Sparks ChangeA Commercial Revolution

Money became more important as trade increased. Capital, money for

investments. Merchants joined in

partnerships for large business ventures.

Insurance allowed merchants to protect their shipments.

Credit was used instead of cash or gold coins, practice Europeans took from the Muslims.

Money allowed peasants to sell their goods and services rather than only work for the lords. Tenant farmers

emerged, paying rent for farmland.

Economic Recovery Sparks ChangeThe Rise of Middle Class

Middle Class Group of merchants and

artisans-between the nobles and peasants.

Guilds Merchants

Passed laws and taxes, chose what to spend town money on.

Artisans Workers for each

occupation, limited memberships. Only members could work in that trade.

Regulated hours, quality, and set prices.

Guild Members At 7 or 8, a child

becomes an apprentice, trainee

Apprentice for 7 years, did not get paid, but the guild master provides housing and training.

Few became guild masters, many were journeymen, the salaried workers

Women Same trade as husband

or father Ribbon making and

papermaking

Economic Recovery Sparks ChangeTown and City Life

Overcrowding So many people

led to people adding more floors to their houses.

Churches with tall steeples were in almost every town or city.

No garbage pick up or sewer systems. Waste was thrown into the streets.

Towns were filthy, smelly, noisy, and crowded!