The Middle Ages

1. The Middle Ages NOT the Dark Ages

2. Part II • Middle Ages is a Synthesis of Roman Empire, German Barbarians, and the Christian (a.k.a. Catholic) Church

3. When do we see the beginnings of "Europe"? • With the rise of the Carolingian dynasty. • When do we see the beginnings of the Carolingian dynasty? • With the Battle of Tours! (732 A.D.) • (Watch the video on the Carolingians.)

4. The Kingdom of the Franks • Muslims invade Europe in 711AD. • (Spain – renamed Al-Andalus). • In 732 AD, Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi and a large army of Muslim horsemen from Al-Andalus 311 miles deep into France, and were stopped at Tours by Charles Martel and his infantry igniting the Battle of Tours. • The outcome was defeat for the Muslims, preventing France from Islamic conquest. • This sets up the dominance of the Carolingians.

5. The Kingdom of the Franks

6. The Kingdom of the Franks • Franks • German barbarians • Settle in Gaul (modern Farnce – hence the name) • Gallo-Roman people continue to live under their own laws. • Last codification (DONE/ORDERED BY A VISIGOTH!) was in 506 by King Alaric II. • But there were no schools, so when the judges died, the law died and survived only as a vague customary law/tradition. • Same with taxes. • Frankish kings would just grab everything they could. • Eventually the Roman law morphed into a customary tribute.

7. The Kingdom of the Franks • Trial law? • Good luck with that. • Take your pick: • Compurgation • Ordeal

8. The Kingdom of the Franks • Trial law? • Good luck with that. • Take your pick: • Compurgation • A man of high standing could vouch for himself (bishop). • A commoner would need “oath-helpers”. • 12-25 men who would swear a man’s innocence. • They’d perform an elaborate ritual with special phrases and if you messed up one word, it was invalid. • Ordeal • Hot iron • Grabbing stones from boiling water • The burned hand was bound, 3 days later if it healed cleanly, he was innocent. • Cold water • Bless the water, if the man floated he was guilty because the holy water rejected him. • Battle • More popular in the later M.A.; you fight to the death.

9. The Kingdom of the Franks • Human value • Wergild – price paid for taking a person’s life. • Noble – 600 shillings, Warrior – 200, Roman – 100. • Woman OCBA – 600, Pregnant – 700, ACBA – 200. • Women's rights! • Don’t make me laugh. • Muntehe - Girls belonged to their father, then her husband. • Future husband paid a fee for the wife. • After the first night a man gave a “morning gift”. • Friedelehe – Marriage of free choice. • You could have as many of these as you wanted.

10. The Kingdom of the Franks • Most important aspect of Frankish law, it is an outgrowth of the people (like early Roman law), not imposed from above (like late Roman law).

11. The Kingdom of the Franks • Charlemagne (742-814AD) • In 771, Charlemagne became king of the Franks. • He embarked on a mission to unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom, and convert his subjects to Christianity. • A skilled military strategist, he spent much of his reign engaged in warfare in order to accomplish his goals. • In 800, Pope Leo III (750-816) crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans. • Considered the “father of Europe”. • When he died in 814, Charlemagne’s empire encompassed much of Western Europe, and he had also ensured the survival of Christianity in the West.

12. Reforms of Charlemagne • Charlemagne (742-814AD) • In 771, Charlemagne became king of the Franks. • He embarked on a mission to unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom, and convert his subjects to Christianity. • A skilled military strategist, he spent much of his reign engaged in warfare in order to accomplish his goals. • In 800, Pope Leo III (750-816) crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans. • Considered the “father of Europe”. • When he died in 814, Charlemagne’s empire encompassed much of Western Europe, and he had also ensured the survival of Christianity in the West.

13. The Kingdom of the Franks • Charlemagne (742-814AD) • Most importantly…

14. The Kingdom of the Franks • Charlemagne (742-814AD) • Most importantly… • He encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual revival in Europe.

15. The Kingdom of the Franks • Charlemagne (742-814AD) • Most importantly… • He encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual revival in Europe. • How did he do this? • And what did he do exactly?

16. Charlemagne & the Church • As part of his reforms, demands educated monks and priests. • Requires the promotion of reading and writing. • Encourages the copying of manuscripts. • Requires the proper education of religious (monks/priests)

17. Charlemagne & the Church

18. Charlemagne – Big Ideas • As part of his reforms, demands educated monks and priests. (Manuscripts!) • One of the most important changes Charlemagne made was abandoning the gold standard and putting all of Europe on the same silver currency. • Trade became easier and the continent prospered, aided by laws that took some power away from the nobles and let the peasantry participate in commerce. • Among other legislation, all local regional governors were subject to regular inspections by royal emissaries to make sure no injustices were being done. • Same language, money, laws, education=AWESOME

19. Charlemagne – Big Ideas

20. Where are we?

21. Where are we?

22. Where are we?

23. Where are we?

24. The Catholic Church ain’t no slouch • Changes in the Church structure. • In part due to Charlemagne. • But the Church also impacted Charlemagne!

25. The Roman (Catholic) Church • Influence on the Carolingian Renaissance • Where does it start?

26. The Roman (Catholic) Church • Influence on the Carolingian Renaissance • Where does it start? • St Patrick (390-461AD) probably mostly true. • Born among the Christians of west Briton. • Captured by pirates. • Sold into slavery in Ireland. • Sounds like the Princess Bride. • Escapes to Gaul and studies at the Monasteries.

27. The Roman (Catholic) Church • St Patrick (390-461AD) probably mostly true. • Goes back to Ireland and spreads Christianity (Catholicism). • Sets up and organizes monasteries • These grow and develop a writing style with rules.

28. Charlemagne & the Church • When Charlemagne is crowned king, the monasteries in Ireland send representatives as it is viewed as a restoration of the Roman Empire. • Charlemagne realizes their value and has them begin to re-educate the priests and monks.

29. The Roman (Catholic) Church • While Charlemagne is affected by the Church (specifically the Irish ones) his reforms have two consequences: • Rise in Monastic life • Growth in power and authority for the Church • (potestas & auctoritas)

30. The Roman (Catholic) Church • Monastic life • μοναχός (monachos) = “alone“ • μόνος = one • In the beginning, in Egypt, Christians felt called to a more reclusive or eremitic form of monastic living (in the spirit of the "Desert Theology" for the purpose of spiritual renewal and return to God). • Saint Anthony the Great is cited by Athanasius as one of these early "Hermit monks".

31. The Roman (Catholic) Church • Monastic life began to develop early in the history of the Church, but is not mandated as an institution in the scriptures. • It has come to be regulated by religious rules • (e.g. the Rule of St Basil, the Rule of St Benedict) • The Christian monk embraces the monastic life as a vocation for God. • His goal is to attain eternal life in his presence. • The rules of monastic life are codified in the "counsels of perfection".

32. The Roman (Catholic) Church • By the ninth century, however, the Benedictine had become the standard form of monastic life throughout the whole of Western Europe, excepting Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, where the Celtic observance still prevailed for another century or two. • Largely through the work of Benedict of Aniane, it became the rule of choice for monasteries throughout the Carolingian empire. • Although Benedictines do not take a vow of silence, hours of strict silence are set, and at other time silence is maintained as much as is practically possible.

33. The Roman (Catholic) Church • They continued the tradition of community life with its common prayer, reading, and work. • Some of the monasteries were founded as centers of evangelization of peoples; others carried on a program of education, art and architecture, and the making of manuscripts. • But after the empire fell, they began a slow but steady decline in scholarship. • This is fixed by Charlemagne!

34. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • The Simple and Solemn Vows • Upon entering the monastery, all candidates took a vow of obedience. • Their initial period, the postulancy, lasted for one month. • After one month, the period of novitiate began, lasting one year. • Following successful completion of the novitiate period, monks took their simple vows. • After four years of practice and service, the solemn vows were taken, and the full member of the monastery remained a monk, and a member, for the duration of his life.

35. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • The Simple and Solemn Vows • While many different orders of monks arose during the Middle Ages, the Benedictine monks remained the most common. • Final, or solemn, vows for monks could vary from one order to another, but they typically included the three solemn vows of the Benedictines: the vows of…

36. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • The Simple and Solemn Vows • While many different orders of monks arose during the Middle Ages, the Benedictine monks remained the most common. • Final, or solemn, vows for monks could vary from one order to another, but they typically included the three solemn vows of the Benedictines: the vows of… • obedience, • chastity, and • poverty. Why?

37. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • The Simple and Solemn Vows • The vow of obedience ensured Middle Ages monks would obey any directives given to them, abide by the rules of the monastery, and perform the chores and duty necessary to the continued running of the monastery. • The vow of poverty precluded monks from the possibility of owning land or property of any kind. • The vow of chastity was strict, and was designed to prevent monks from giving in to what were considered base urges of lust.

38. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • Religious faith was a critical component in the daily life of everyone. • Daily prayer rituals were customary, often several times a day, particularly at mealtimes. Religion and spiritual faith held great sway over most individuals of the time, who sought to live their lives in service of God.

39. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • The life of a monk was not a simple one either, but life in the monastery afforded individuals so inclined an opportunity to escape the tedium or drudgery of work on a manor or estate and avoid unnecessary military conflicts. • BIG DEAL!!!!!! • Monkhood was available to members of every class who chose to pursue it.

40. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • Daily Routines • A monastery was a wholly self-sufficient community, meaning monks had no reason to ever leave its boundaries once they had taken their vows. • Monks, therefore, fulfilled a number of different roles based upon their own training, interests, and skills. Some monks specialized in medical care, others in education, still others in arts or finance.

41. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • Daily Routinesora et labora

42. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • All work being performed ceased immediately when prayer times arrived. Middle Ages monks returned to their prior activities following prayer sessions. • All daily tasks, work, study, and meals needed to be fitted in around the designated prayer times, creating a regimented and disciplined lifestyle for all monks in the monastery.

43. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • Middle Ages monks were expected to have no need of leaving the monastery at any time for any reason. The monastery was designed to meet any needs the monks who resided there could have. • Monasteries provided education, spiritual sustenance, food, medical care, barber services, and any material possessions necessary for survival.

44. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • Monks spent much of their time engaged in the daily prayer rituals and private meditation, Bible study, and prayer. • However, the bulk of their days revolved around the manual work assigned to them in order to keep the monastery running smoothly. • This could include harvesting crops, cleaning, creating garments, providing educational and medical services, and cooking and preparing food for the order.

45. It's a hard-monk life – for us. • All work being performed ceased immediately when prayer times arrived. Middle Ages monks returned to their prior activities following prayer sessions. • All daily tasks, work, study, and meals needed to be fitted in around the designated prayer times, creating a regimented and disciplined lifestyle for all monks in the monastery.

46. Papal Leadership • Gradual process • The pope appears with ever-increasing frequency as the advocate of the needy population: • Leo I intercedes with Attila and Geiserich, and Gelasius with Theodoric. • Cassiodorus as prœfectus prœtorio under the Ostrogothic supremacy actually entrusted the care of the temporal affairs to Pope John II. • When Emperor Justinian issued the Pragmatic Sanction (554), the pope together with the Senate was entrusted with the control of weights and measures.

47. Papal Leadership • Sylvester I • Pope during Constantine’s conversion • See Donation of Constantine handout on website. • Sets up the primacy of Rome • Maybe, truth/myth? • Council of Sardica (344) • Any Bishop removed from office by a local council could appeal to Rome for a final judgment. • Council of Constantinople (381) • Reaffirmed Rome’s primacy, but added that Constantinople was in second place because it was the “New Rome”.

48. Medieval Church - Basics • NOT TRYING TO CONVERT ANYONE! • Matt. 16:18 & 18:18 • 18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. • 18 Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven.

49. Medieval Church - Basics • NOT TRYING TO CONVERT ANYONE! • Luke 22: 32 • 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren.

50. Medieval Church - Basics • NOT TRYING TO CONVERT ANYONE! • John 21: 15-17 • 15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. • 16 He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. • 17 He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep. • agape (ἀγάπη), phileo (φιλία), and eros (ἔρως)