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Middle Ages

Middle Ages.

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Middle Ages

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  1. Middle Ages • The Middle Ages in Europe began with the break-up of the Roman Empire. Slowly, a web of barbarian kingdoms replaced the ordered layout of the empire. Trade routes and communication networks set up by the Romans dried up. Manors, on which peasants worked for wealthy landlords, replaced many of the Roman towns. As towns died, so did the industries and cultural activities they supported.

  2. Questions/Answers • Why feudalism developed and then declined. • Why the church was so powerful. • Why the Black Death was such a significant event. • What our legal and parliamentary systems owe to the Middle Ages.

  3. Why feudalism? • After the Roman Empire collapsed in the fifth century AD, Europe entered a period of uncertainty. • There was no longer a central authority to keep law and order, or to distribute food in times of famine. Neither was there a strong army to ward off barbarian attacks. • By about the ninth century, a new system for survival had begun to emerge. It was called feudalism.

  4. Protection • Under the feudal system one person promised loyalty and services to another in exchange for that person’s protection. This process was repeated over and over across the different social classes. Everyone knew his or her place — what their obligations were, and what rights they could expect in return. Powerful lords (monarchs or nobles) gave fiefs (usually portions of land) to men who promised to serve them for life. These men became the lord’s vassals (slaves), or tenants. A ceremony marked this contract: the vassal performed an act of homage by kneeling in front of the lord and putting his hands in the lord’s hands. He swore an oath of fealty (?), promising to serve the lord for life. The lord then kissed the vassal and lifted him to his feet.

  5. In England • Feudalism was introduced to England by William the Conqueror. A noble from Normandy, in France, William became King of England in 1066 after defeating the army of the King of England. One of the first things he did as king was to give away about 80 per cent of the land he now ruled to nobles and bishops in return for their personal services and loyalty.

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