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An Age of Transition: Early Medieval Europe (476-1000)

Explore the gradual settlement of Germanic tribes, the rise of feudalism, growth of Christianity, and the significance of monasticism in Early Medieval Europe. Discover the cultural, political, and religious transformations in this transitional period.

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An Age of Transition: Early Medieval Europe (476-1000)

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  1. Early Medieval Europe (476 – 1000) An Age of Darkness?

  2. Gradual Settlement in Europe • Germanic tribes continue to wander through Europe • Generally, Germanic peoples conquer and then intermarry with the native populations • Dependence mostly on subsistence agriculture and barter economy • First large area to become politically organized and settled was “Gaul,” dominated by the Franks

  3. Kingdom of the Franks • Established a stable monarchy • Early conversion to Christianity throughout the remnants of the Roman Empire in Gaul • Here and elsewhere in Europe, division of the population into 3 groups: warriors, clergy, and serfs (sometimes overlapping categories) • Charlemagne, king of the Franks, one of the most powerful ruler in the early Middle Ages.

  4. Feudalism • both a political and an economic system • an exchange of land (a fief) for military and political loyalty (a sworn Christian oath) • extremely hierarchical • presumes the self-sufficiency of the manor

  5. Growth of Christianity • Consolidation of powers of the Roman popes • Several centuries of continuous evangelism to the Germanic tribes • Rise of monasticism

  6. Monasticism • monks who followed the “Rule” established by St. Benedict (480-543) • ideal of a life of constant prayer, work, and study • vows of chastity, obedience, poverty • men only

  7. The Monastery • a kind of self-sufficient manor with many social and cultural functions: • havens and sanctuaries during times of war or disaster • centers of learning and literacy; libraries; scriptoriums • schools • agricultural and medical expertise

  8. Early Medieval Music • Development of Gregorian chant (named for Pope Gregory “the Great”) • a single line of melody sung in unison • a kind of abstract, non-emotional form • sung primarily by clergy, not by the congregation

  9. Early Medieval Arts • Largely devoted to religious creations and crafts • Great accomplishments in manuscript illumination • illustration of Bibles, prayer books, other texts • sometimes used for religious purposes • sometimes completed through aristocratic patronage

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