The Middle Ages of Europe

1. The Middle Ages of Europe 5th to 14 Centuries

2. 2 Parts- Early and Later Middle Ages • Reasons for Middle Ages • 1. Fall of Western Roman Empire • 2. Decline of Learning • 3. Lack of Strong Central Government • * One Exception to #3

3. Frankish Kingdom • Present-Day France • Clovis- starts • Most Important Ruler- Charlemagne • 768-814 • Expands Empire • Ruled Effectively- Provinces • Stresses Education and Religion- Catholic Church • Forms the Holy Roman Empire when crowned by pope • Most other places- small kingdoms

6. The Middle Ages:The Role of the Catholic Church in Western Europe

7. A. Roman Catholic Church-Why Powerful? • 1. Weak Central Governments • 2. Unifying Force • 3. Promises Salvation • 4. Centers of Knowledge- Monks

9. B. CatholicChurch Structure • Hierarchy- Priests, Bishops, Popes • * had both religious and political power • Canon Law- own courts • excommunication,interdict • Tithe- 1/10- money • Papal States- ruled by Pope

10. ** leads to Church struggles with governments across Europe

11. C. Case of Henry IV (HRE) • Pope Gregory VII- interdict on Henry IV’s kingdom after he tries to restrict Church power in his realm. • Rebellion starts • Henry IV at gate 3 days begging • Example of Church Power during Middle Ages

13. D. Compromise- Pope and Political Rulers • Concordat of Worms • Ex.- Church selects priests in an area

15. The Later Middle Ages

16. Things start to look better • 1. Crusades stimulate trade and revival of learning. • 2. Cities start to grow • Italy, Venice, Florence • Fairs, Bourgeoisie • 3. Emergence of Modern Western European Nations- England, France, Spain • However- still some bad- Plague, 1/3, trade, labor • *sets stage for European Renaissance