Chapter 8 The Middle Ages

By Frank Bommarito

Medieval Europe

Medieval Europe occurred shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD

After the fall of the Romans, Europe basically became “up for grabs”

Medieval European countries and states were constantly being invaded or attacked by stronger empires

The major kingdoms and empires were the German states, Vikings, Muslims, Normans, and later, the Holy Roman Empire

Besides the change in the landscape of Europe, many other things were changing as well

Feudalism

After various invasions on the newly separated lands that were once the Roman empire, a system called feudalism emerges

In feudalistic society kings were virtually powerless

Instead of kings, Lords, or local noblemen, ruled over their piece of land

For this land, vassals had to exchange service

On this land, lived peasants who worked the farms everyday

This allowed for the people on the feif to live off the land

Feudal Warfare

From the feudal society came a unique type of warfare

Knights were the warriors

They lived by a strict code for everyday life called Chivalry

Chivalry- code of conduct a) Greatly stressed bravery, honesty and generosity

The Medieval Church

The only thing that crossed the many boundaries of the Middle Ages was the Medieval Church

They educated many kings and lords They owned enormous pieces of land and offered Church

indulgences for the forgiveness of sins People who committed heresy or questioned the church were

usually excommunicated by the pope It was believed that the best way to serve God was to dedicate their

whole life to his service

a)Nuns and Monks had complete dedication

Medieval Culture and Technology

Architecture had major advances, especially that of Cathedrals.

a)Romanesque (columns,arches and domes)

b)Gothic (windows and flying buttresses)

Literature had two revolutionary writers emerge: Dante and Chaucer

New inventions such as the improved plow, horse shoe, water mill, and wind mill made farm life easier

Also with these inventions came a growth in trade

Middle class emerged due to the new job oppurtunities

Science bloomed as well did medicine and education

The Church,however, still had the main authority on almost all issues

Universities began teaching the ideas of Aristotle, Roman Law and were also run by the clergy

The Crusades

In 1071 Seljuk Turks conquer Jerusalem and torture the Christians

Pope Urban II preaches the Crusade to recapture the Holy Land in 1095

reunite the church control the Holy Land increase prestige of the Church response was great salvation, greed The crusades lasted until1212

After the crusades The Church’s power temporarily increased but the crusades also tarnished the Church’s image

Many people saw how the church would kill to stay in power

Europe also began to change more quickly

Review

1) In Europe during the Middle Ages, increases in trade and commerce resulted in

 1.  lower living standards for industrial workers  2.  decreased economic rivalry between kings  3.  increased political power for the clergy  4.  development of towns and cities

2) All things were under its domain...its power was such that no one could hope to escape its scrutiny.”

Which European institution during the Middle Ages is best described by this statement?

 1.  the Guild  2.  Knighthood  3.  the Church  4.  the nation-state

3) In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force that provided unification and stability was the

 1.  central government in Rome  2.  military alliance between France and Germany  3.  federation of the craft guilds  4.  Roman Catholic Church

4) Which is a characteristic of a feudal society?

 1.  rapid social change  2.  high literacy rate  3.  industrial-based economy  4.  rigid class structure  

 

5) Which economic system existed in Europe during the early Middle Ages?

 1.  free market  2.  socialism  3.  manorialism  4.  command

Answer Key: 1) Choice 4 2) Choice 3 3) Choice 4 4) Choice 4 5) Choice 3

In Conclusion

At the end of the middle ages there were many changes from the previous Empires

The Middle ages ended with the black death

It was a spread of the bubonic plague that eventually would go on to kill 1 of every 3 people in Europe

It also caused a complete economic crash

Important Dates

1066: William Duke of Normandy crossd into England and declared himself King of England

1348: Middle ages end