The Rise of Christianity Charlemagne

Feudalism The Vikings

The Early

Middle Ages

Section Focus

• After Rome fell the world entered into chaos.

• Time of warfare, violence, and religion.

• Time period known as “Middle Ages” or “Medieval” because it is between ancient and modern times.

European Invaders

The Rise of Christianity

• Many thought end of world was near and waited for Jesus to return.

• While waiting, churches formed and leadership was organized. (Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests.)

• Clergy (church workers) became dominant force of Medieval times.

The Rise of Christianity

• Archbishop of Rome took power and became first Pope.

• Pope sent missionaries and monks all over Europe.

• Wanted to convert as many people as possible to restore order.

Ireland & England

• After Rome, England & Ireland lost contact with Europe.

• New groups migrated and settled into islands:

• Ireland (Celts)

• England (Anglo-Saxons)

Ireland & England

• Missionaries converted Anglo-Saxons and Celts.

• Christianity took over governments and people of islands.

• Christianity then began to spread into new areas.

The Franks

• One Germanic group, called Franks, conquered Gaul.

• Franks more interested in stability and farming, than war.

• Converted to Christianity to bring balance and order.

• Created one of the strongest kingdoms in Europe.

Charlemagne

• Frankish King, Charlemagne or “Charles the Great,” conquered most of Europe.

• Restored peace, trade, and learning and helped the spread of Christianity.

• Large estates of land began to form.

Charlemagne

• Charlemagne died and empire was divided.

• Became France, Germany, and Italy and fighting began.

• Church was only unifying force and became organized and powerful.

Charlemagne

The Rise of Feudal Territories

• After Charlemagne, fighting began over the land.

• 3 Main kingdoms emerged; France, Italy, & Germany.

• Nobles helped run the land and had all power in each territory:

• Protected peasants

• Controlled Money

• Ran Military

• Nobles became independent and very powerful.

• Nobles and church worked together to control society.

The Rise of Feudal Territories

• Nobles gave some land to vassals in return for military service.

• Many learned how to fight to obtain land.

• Feudalism: He who has the land, has the power.

The Rise of Feudal Territories

• Feudalism started - power based on ownership of land.

• Society included 4 main groups:

– Kings: “Owned” the land

– Nobles: Worked for king for power over some land

– Knights: Fought for nobles for power over some land

– Peasants & Serfs: Worked in return for protection

Knighthood

• Almost all nobles and vassals were knights, who received land for military service.

• Knights had to obey the laws of chivalry:

– Fight fair

– Be honest

– Help the weak

• Trained for war by fighting in tournaments.

Knighthood

• Armor of Medieval Knights

Knighthood

• Swords of Medieval Knights

Knighthood

• Weapons of Medieval Knights

Knighthood

The Manor

• A manor is an isolated farming community owned by nobles and won through fighting.

• All people depended on manor for needs:

– Castle / Manor House

– Fields

– Mill

– Church

– Houses

The Manor

The Manor

The Manor

• Nobles were usually fighting, so had others work land:

• Freemen: peasants who rented land from noble

• Serfs: “Attached” to the land

• Noblewomen (ladies) were subservient to men and raised children, cooked, cleaned, and cared for sick.

The Manor

The Vikings

• One group began to cause problems: The Vikings.

• Originated in Scandinavia but land was inhospitable.

• Began conquering and trading to survive.

The Vikings

• Vikings discovered many new areas and routes for trade.

• Started settlements in Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and North America.

• Most times were looking for food and valuables.

The Vikings

The Vikings

• Stole goods, destroyed homes, burned churches, killed and enslaved people.

• Vikings were first real threat to Christianity, but were minor compared to the Muslims.

The Vikings

The Vikings