Middle Ages

Middle Ages- is a time when the Roman Empire was in decline and new institutions slowly emerged to replace

the Roman Empire.

Middle Ages a.k.a. Dark Ages

• Disruption of Trade (loss of a common language)

• Downfall of Cities (cities were abandoned as centers of administration)

• Population Shifts (nobles retreated to rural areas and cities had no leadership)

Carolingian Empire

• Most successful empire since the collapse of Rome

• Charlemagne takes over his father’s kingdom Pepin the Short

• Charlemagne strengthened European economic and political life

• Promoted the cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance

• Treaty of Verdun divides Charlemagne’s empire among his three grandsons.

Byzantine Empire

• The western Roman Empire crumbled in the 5th century as it was overrun by invading Germanic tribes.

• The eastern half of the empire continued to prosper and a separate government and difficult communications with the West gave the Byzantine Empire it’s own character.

• In the Byzantine Empire few spoke Latin, most people spoke Greek.

• The Byzantine Empire belonged to the eastern branch of the Christian Church.

• To be entered at school…

Vikings

• Vikings are Scandinavian warriors who raided the coasts of Europe and the British Isles from the 9th cent.- 11th cent.

• There was no organized defense against these savage warriors and their hit and run raids.

• At the beginning of the Viking Age they were the best ship builders and sailors in the world.

• They wore metal helmets decorated with pictures of animals.

Feudalism

• The largest raids were coming between 850 and 950 A.D.

• Feudalism- Resulted as a form of defense for both the nobility and peasants from these barbarian attacks.

Feudal Society

• The middle ages were characterized by a chronic absence of effective central government and the constant threat of famine, disease, and foreign invasion.

• In this state of affairs the weaker sought the protection of the stronger, and the true lords and masters became those who could guarantee immediate protection from starvation and invasion.

• In a feudal society, what people require most is the firm assurance that others can be depended on time of need.

• It is above all a system of mutual rights and responsibilities.

Feudal Hierarchy

• Kings- Were on top of the hierarchy they ruled the land.

• Lords/Vassals/Church Officials- Next were the land owners, in exchange for military protection and other services a landowner, granted land called a fief.

• Knights- Serve the vassal in exchange for land. In return, they offer their military service.

• Peasants/Serfs- On the bottom of the hierarchy, worked the land of a lord in the exchange for food, shelter, and protection. Peasants and serfs did not fight.

Ticket Out

• Work with a partner to draw up a contract between a lord and a vassal, such as a knight or between the lord of a manor and a serf. Include the responsibilities, obligations and rights of each party.