Middle Ages

1. Middle Ages Ch 13-14

2. Section 1 Break up of Western Roman Empire • For hundreds of years, Europe is in shambles. • Barbarian groups invade and take over Europe • Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogoths • Bring new customs and political patterns • Age of Transition • 400s to 1500 CE called the Middle Ages • End of the Classical Period • Beginning of the Modern World

4. The Franks • Leave the most lasting impact in European History • Loosely organized Germanic tribes • Clovis = King of one of the Frankish tribes, 481 CE • Starts line of Merovingian leaders • Able military leader • Conquered and absorbed other Frankish tribes • Controlled all of northern Gaul • Christian, received support from the church • Also began to seize and rule southwestern Gaul • France • When he died, kingdom split between his sons • Kings that came afterwards were weak.

5. The Franks • “Mayor of the Palace” becomes real ruler over each kingdom, chief of royal household • Pepin II – Ruled from 687 to 714 CE • Him and successors united all Frankish Kingdoms. • Charles “the Hammer” Martel, 714 - 741CE • Defeated Spanish Moors • Halted Muslim advance in western Europe • But Muslim raids cont’d • Son Pepin III (the Short) • Co-rules after Charles death with brother Carolman

6. The Franks • Pepin the Short overthrows last Merovingian ruler • Claims Frankish throne for himself • 751 CE - Anointed king of the Franks • Starts Carolingian rule of Frankish leaders • Receives Pope’s confirmation • Strengthens legitimacy of dynasty • Pope’s blessing comes from God. • Continues throughout history • Obligation to the Church? • Pope asks for help with Lombards • Pepin defeats them, wins territory around Rome • Donation of Pepin = Creates Papal States

7. Charlemagne’s Empire • Charlemagne took over throne with Pepin the Shorts death • Ruled from 768 – 814 CE • Worked to build a “new Rome” • Devout Christian • Spreads Christian teachings • Brought civilization, order and learning to Europe • Spent much of his life at war • Tried to conquer all of Muslim Spain (Moors) • Failed, but forced them back across the Pyrenees • Gained small strip of territory – “Spanish March” • Creates a buffer zone between Muslims and Christians

8. Charlemagne’s Empire • Pope Leo declared him “Emperor of the Romans” • Christmas Day, 800CE • Title indicates his importance to western Europe • United much of western Europe • first time in 400 years • Coronation shows close ties between Franks and Christian church • Was conscious of his position • Aimed to live up to image of a Roman emperor • Skilled as a warrior • Devotion to Christianity

9. Charlemagne’s Empire • Government • Empire divided into Regions • Governed by a Count – on Emperors behalf • Used “oaths of fidelity” • To ensure the Counts and other Carolingians officials ruled effectively • Appointed officials who help run his empire • Called “missidominici“ or “the Lords messengers” • Travel empire to hear complaints and investigate official misconduct • Determine the effectiveness of laws • Direct representatives of Charlemagne • Power to make decisions

10. Charlemagne’s Empire • Education • He was not formally educated • But placed great value on education • Started school at palace for his children & young nobles • Studied grammar, rhetoric, logic, math, music, astronomy • Based on Roman model • Brought scholars together to produce a readable bible • Ordered bishops to create libraries • Could read, but not write. • Encouraged/Forced people to convert to Christianity

11. Decline of the Frankish Empire • Empire did not survive Charlemagne’s death in 814 • Louis the Pious, Charlemagne’s son rules after death • Well educated, religious, but weak and short sided • Died in 840 CE • Empire divided between Louis’s sons • Lothair (Middle), • Charles the Bald (Western), and • Louis the German (Eastern) • Treaty became known as the Treaty of Verdun-843 CE • Fought amongst themselves, empire collasped.

12. Decline of the Frankish Empire • By mid 800’s it began to divide and collapse • Charlemagne's successors fought amongst themselves • By 870 the middle kingdom divided between eastern and western kingdom • Invasions of different people hindered the empire • Muslims from Africa invaded the Mediterranean coast • Slavs from the east raided central Europe • Nomadic Magyars settled in what is now Hungary • Terrorized Europe for about 50 years • Vikings from Scandinavia • No longer a large scale government • By 900’s most of Europe was governed by small, local, independent leaders, or local lords. • This is known as Feudalism

13. Rise of the Franks • With Papal support Charlemagne inherited Frankish throne • The Papal States were created. • Pépin III was crowned; Carolingian rule began. • Charles Martel defeated the Spanish Moors • Pépin II and his successors united the Frankish kingdoms. • Franks seized and ruled southwestern Gaul (now France) • Clovis became ruler of Frankish tribes

14. Pope King Lords Vassals Freemen Serfs The feudal system of government operated by means of allegiances and mutual protection. Pope King Lords Vassals Freemen Serfs

15. Section 2 Pope King Lords Vassals Freemen Serfs Feudalism • Lord = Powerful noble • Granted land to a lesser noble to use • This grant of land is called a Fief • Lord still owned the land • Noble • Person receiving a Fief is called a Vassal • Promised loyalty, military service and other services to the lord • Freemen • Worked land for part of the harvest – Tenant farmers • Could also be merchants, tradesmen and craftsmen • Serfs • Were tied to the land, could not leave with out nobles permission • Peasant laborers • Could not be sold, were not slaves • Could be drafted for military service • Could own property

16. Feudalism • Vassal (or noble) • could further divide the land and grant it to others • Which would also make them a lord • Such as Knights • Fief • Could be hereditary • Passed to first born son • Inheritance is called Primogeniture

17. Feudalism • Women’s rights • regarding property were limited • Might have fiefs in her dowry • they became her husbands after marriage • Only gained control if husband died • Lord’s powers • Held powers associated with government • Kings were bound to customs & obligations of feudalism • The church • Owned land that could be granted as a fief • In return for military protection

18. Warfare • Wars common during the Middle Ages • Could be private fights between lords and vassals • Could be a regional conflict • Knights wore armor in battle • Made of chain mail • Iron helmet, sword, large shield, and lance • Very heavy --- often had to be hauled onto their horses • Horses were big --- resemble Clydesdales today

19. Warfare • Wars were an opportunity for glory for nobles • For the rest war was a cause of pain and suffering • Church tried to limit the wars by issuing decrees • prohibiting acts of violence and private warfare • Violence against cattle, agricultural equipment • Violence against clergy, women, merchants and pilgrims • Forbade fighting on weekends and holy days • If not met, church would threaten punishment • Wars continued until the position of a king became powerful enough to stop them

20. Feudal Justice • Feudal justice different from Roman justice • Feudal trial was decided in one of 3 ways • Trial by battle • Duel between accuser and accused • Compurgation --- Oath taking • Supported by people who swore that the person they represented was telling the truth – Character witnesses • Trial by ordeal • Accused had to carry a piece of hot iron, plunge his hand in a pot of boiling water, or survive extended immersion in cold water • If wounds healed quickly and well --- innocent • Outcome determined guilt or innocence

21. The Manorial System • Manorialism --- • Shaped economic system of the Middle Ages • Large farming estates • Included manor houses, cultivated lands, woodlands, pastures, fields and villages • Self sufficient • Produced own food, clothing, and shelter • Some goods still needed to be purchased • Iron, salt, wool, wine and manufactured goods. • The lord and several peasant families shared the land of the manor • Lord - 1/3 of the land – Called his domain • Peasants - remaining 2/3 • Gave the lord some of their crops, and farmed the Lords land • Provided other services and paid many different taxes • Ideally • Manor was located along a stream or river • Water power - Village mill • Houses clustered near center of Manor for safety • Surrounded by vegetable plots, pastures and forests • Crop rotation – Grain • 3 fields, use only 2 at any one time • Fields divided into strips

22. Peasant Life • Difficult - Long hours, backbreaking work • Serfs • Could not leave the land without the lords permission • Foods • Black beans, lentils, and some vegetables • Rarely could afford meat, needed livestock to work land • Life expectancy - very short • Disease, starvation, and frequent warfare

23. Nobles’ Lifestyles • Did not live in luxury or comfort • Many lived in castles • Simple structures made of earth and wood • Only later were they made of stone • Built on hills or easily defendable areas • Many were surrounded by a moat • Used drawbridges to enter • Thick walls, tiny windows with no glass • Rooms were dark and chilly • Marriage • Viewed as a way to advance one’s fortune • Could acquire land through marriage • Fathers provide a dowry for daughters – encourage marriage • Peasant children – Farm labor

24. Steps to become a Knight • Training began at age 6 or 7 • Son of a noblewould become a page. • The page was a household servant. • Taught manners and customs. • Learn how to care for weapons • At age 14 • would become a squire. • personal assistant to a knight. • Take care of Knights horse, armor, weapons • Once the squire proved to be skilled and courageous in battle could be knighted. • Becoming a knight required an oath of chivalry. • Knights swore: allegiance, chastity, protection of other Christians, and respect for the law

25. Knighthood • Code of Chivalry • Expected to be courageous in battle • Fight fairly • If he used tricks he was considered a coward • Expected to be loyal to friends • Keep his word • Required to treat conquered foes gallantly • Expected to be courteous to women and the less powerful • Chivalry did much to improve crude manner of feudal lords • But still not perfect by modern standards • Knights were required to extend courtesy only to people of his own class • Towards others his actions could be bullying, and arrogant

26. Knighthood • Knights fought in full armor • Distinguished from one another by a Coat of Arms • Graphical symbol that identified him • Contained his personal characteristics • Painted or stitched onto the knights shield • Passed down from one generation to the next

27. Section 3 The Church Hierarchy • The church had broad political powers • Europe’s central government was weak, if exist at all • Church filled the need for leadership • One of the only institutions who presence was felt all throughout Europe • Across all political and social levels • Great economic force • Leading landowners, Feudal lords • Clergy members • organized according to a strict hierarchy of rank • Each rank had different responsibilities and powers

28. Parish Priest • The Parish • smallest division within the church • Parish Priest • Directly serves the people in his parish • Religious instruction • Responsible for the moral and spiritual well being • One of the Churches most important officers • Administered five of the seven sacraments • Baptism, Holy communion, Penance, Matrimony and Anointing of the sick and dying

29. The Bishop • Bishop • Manages a group of parishes • Called a Diocese • Cathedral is the Bishops official church • The king or powerful nobles usually controlled the selection of bishops • Many were feudal lords or vassals • Preformed the other two sacraments • Confirmation, taking of holy orders

30. Church Leadership • Archdiocese • A group of dioceses • managed by an Archbishop • Archbishop • has all the powers and responsibilities of a bishop • Has authority over the bishops of the archdiocese • Pope • Supreme authority in the church • Advised by the Curia • Group of counselors drawn from the highest ranks of the clergy • Most important and powerful members were Cardinals • Advised the Pope on legal and spiritual matters • In the 1100’s andon only cardinals elect the pope

31. Church Hierarchy Pope Cardinals Archbishops Bishops Parish Priests

32. Monasticism • Medieval church had two types of clergy • Secular Clergy • Priests, bishops, and the Pope • Secular meaning of the present world • Regular Clergy • Male Monks • Lived in accordance with strict rules • Female nuns also followed strict rules • But not considered part of the clergy, only men

33. Monastic Lifestyles • Monks and Nuns • Believed they had to withdraw from the world and its temptations • Served God through fasting, prayer and self denial • Early practices • Monks lived alone • Practiced their devotion to god in many ways • Inflicted extreme physical suffering on themselves • Eventually gave up on being hermits • Formed religious communities • Called Monasteries (Monks) and Convents (Nuns) • Monasticism • The way of life in convents and monasteries

34. The Benedictine Rule • St. Benedict • Became disgusted with the worldly corruption he witnessed • Left Rome to worship god as a hermit • His reputation for holiness spread • Attracted many followers • Established a monastery at Monte Cassino • In the mountains of central Italy • Referred to as Saint Benedict • Created rules to govern monks’ lives • Adopted by Monasteries and Convents all over Europe • Called Benedictine Rule

35. The Benedictine Rule • Benedictine Rule was fairly strict • Everything belonged to their community • No individual ownership • The Abbot • Elected head of the community • Controlled and distributed all property • The Abbess • Served similar role for women in convents • Spent many hours in prayer, rest of day doing chores

36. The Spread of Monastic Influence • Took care of the needy • Over time many monasteries became rich* • Pious nobles gave money/land in return for spiritual favor • Convents also received gifts, but did not get as wealthy • Some monks left the monasteries to become missionaries • St. Patrick • Brought Christianity to Ireland in 432 • St. Augustine • Lead a group of monks to England • Became Archbishop of Canterbury • Canterbury became center of the Christian Church in England

37. The Church and Medieval Life • The Church played a major role in everyday life • Political, economic and social • Political Role • In the Papal States the Pope was both political and religious leader • Some claimed power of monarchs • Many church leaders were Feudal Lords and advisors to kings • Canon Law • Church law code and system of courts • Members of the clergy could be tried and the court would rule accordingly • Could be Excommunicated • Cut off from the church, • could not receive the sacraments or • be buried in sacred ground • Was greatly feared, in essence removed them from society

38. The Church and Medieval Life • Canon Law Continued • Interdict • Closing an entire region of churches • Clergy would be forbidden to perform marriages, burials, and sacraments • Members at risk of eternal punishment • Used to turn people against rulers who opposed church powers and policies • The church did not allow anyone to question the basic principles of the Christian religion • People who denied the truth of the church’s principle or preached beliefs not approved by the church • Called Heretics – unbelievers who deserved eternal damnation

39. The Church and Medieval Life • Political Role continued • Church had the power to tax • Tithe • 1/10 of a persons income • The church received a large income from its own lands • 1200’s the church was at the height of its power • Wealthiest institution in Europe

40. Economic and Social Role • Church did not approve of people gaining wealth at the expense of others • Thought people who labored should be regarded with dignity and respect • Considered the Family a sacred institution • Did not allow divorce • Clergy was involved in social work • Took care of the poor and needy • Even established hospitals

41. Problems of the Church • Problems caused because of the Churches wealth and influence • Lay Investiture • A noble (King) appointing a friend or relative to be a bishop or abbot • Church felt only members of clergy could make appointments • Simony • The buying of high positions within the church hierarchy • Thought to provide wealth from church income or fees for services • Came under criticism from within and outside the church • Many tried to bring about church reform • St. Francis of Assisi • Founded the Order of Franciscans - 1209 • St. Dominic • Founded the Order of the Dominicans - 1216 • Members of these orders called Friars • Preached and lived among the people

42. Problems of the Church • In mid-1200’s the church attempted to reform itself • Church ordered the Dominicans to seek out heretics • To stamp out teachings that opposed church doctrine • Inquisition • The search for heretics • Those who confessed were forced to perform penance • Those who did not were turned over to the government for punishment or execution • Burning at the stake • Church believed this necessary to stop the heresy

43. Section 4 Struggle for Power in England • Anglo-Saxon and Norman England • Before the1000’s – Kings and lords struggled for power • Anglo-Saxon England • By 450 Roman rule in Britain ended • Germanic tribes moved in • First as raiders, then as settlers • Culture that emerged from Germanic settlement called “Anglo-Saxon” • In reference to the two tribes • Over time they formed several independent kingdoms • Northumbria – Northern England • Mercia – Central England • Wessex – Southern England • These kingdoms were divided into districts called Shires • Governed by shire-reeve which becomes the word Sheriff

44. Alfred the Great • By the 800’s the Kings of Wessex controlled almost all of England • Vikings (Danes) challenged the rule of Wessex kings • Over ran much of England • Alfred the Great - 871 CE • Came to throne of Wessex • Tried to drive the Danes from the island • Made a temporary peace after being defeated by them • Spent 5 years building a powerful army and navy • 876 - Attacked the Danes • 886 - Danes surrendered • Treaty allowed Danes to live and govern themselves in Mercia and Northumbria

45. Danish Rule • Alfred’s successors were able to win more lands from the Danes • During the 900’s • Unified the country • Strengthened the government • Spread Christianity • Danes began to attack again • By 1013 Danes again controlled the entire country • 1016 • King Canute of Denmark took the throne of England • Also most of Scandinavia in a combined kingdom • Canute was a wise ruler – but sons were weak rulers • By 1042 Danish line had died out • Anglo Saxon nobles chose Edward the Confessor as new king

46. The Norman Conquest • Edward died without leaving an heir in1066 • Duke William of Normandy • From France • A distant relative - claimed the throne • Anglo-Saxons refused to recognize his claim • Selected Harold of Wessex to be king • Edwards brother-in-law • William was determined to win the throne • Crossed the English Channel with group of knights • Defeated Harold’s army • Crowned William I King of England • Known as William the Conqueror

47. The Conqueror and his Successors • William the Conqueror ruled from 1066–1087 • Brought feudalism from France to England • Modified feudal system so the king not nobles held supreme authority • Each feudal lord had to swear personal loyalty to king • So all English lords were Vassals of the king • Stopped the lords from uniting against him • Scattered their fiefs throughout England • Laid strong foundation for centralized government and a strong monarchy

48. The Conqueror and his Successors • Sent royal commissioners to every English shire • Count each shire’s people • Assess landholdings • Measure type and value of property • Results used to created a central tax system • Records that were gathered became known as theDoomsday Book

49. Reforms under William’s Successors • Henry I – Ruled from 1100 - 1135 • Williams son, Able ruler • Set up the new department of the Exchequer • To handle kings finances • Made central government more efficient • Sent traveling judges throughout the country to try cases • Weakened feudal lords • Kings royal court, not the lords feudal courts dispensed justice

50. Henry II • Henry II ruled from 1154 – 1189 • Continues to increase royal authority • Vassals could pay the king a fee instead of performing military service • Used the money to hire mercenaries or soldiers • Military loyal to him not the nobles • England’s legal system grew • Traveling judges established routes or circuits • Used a 12 member jury system • Replaced trial by ordeal or combat • Decided civil as well as criminal cases