FeudalismFeudalismand theand the

Middle AgesMiddle Ages

European Middle AgesEuropean Middle Ages

Middle Ages – era of European history Middle Ages – era of European history from 500 A.D. to 1500 A.D. New from 500 A.D. to 1500 A.D. New institutions slowly emerged to replace the institutions slowly emerged to replace the Roman Empire.Roman Empire. Meanwhile, civilizations flourished in China Meanwhile, civilizations flourished in China

and Southwest Asia while Europe was and Southwest Asia while Europe was fragmented.fragmented.

Middle Ages – DARK AGES – Middle Ages – DARK AGES – Why???Why???

1.1. Disruption of TradeDisruption of Trade- Loss of a common languageLoss of a common language

2.2. Downfall of CitiesDownfall of Cities- Cities were abandoned as centers of Cities were abandoned as centers of

administrationadministration- Decline of learningDecline of learning

3.3. Population ShiftsPopulation Shifts- Nobles retreated to rural areasNobles retreated to rural areas- Cities had no leadershipCities had no leadership

Carolingian Rulers (Dynasty)Carolingian Rulers (Dynasty)

751-987 A.D.751-987 A.D.

Pepin the Short – Left a Pepin the Short – Left a greatly strengthened kingdom greatly strengthened kingdom – Leaves it to son Charles– Leaves it to son Charles

CharlemagneCharlemagne

6’4”, heavy set, blue eyes with a flowing 6’4”, heavy set, blue eyes with a flowing mustache (see Coach Melbourn) – mustache (see Coach Melbourn) – Most successful empire since the collapse Most successful empire since the collapse of Romeof RomeGovernment – limited the authority of Government – limited the authority of Nobles and sent Counts to govern Nobles and sent Counts to govern counties. counties. Cultural Revival – He opened a palace Cultural Revival – He opened a palace school and encouraged the monks to school and encouraged the monks to maintain what history was left from Rome.maintain what history was left from Rome.

FeudalismFeudalism

Carolingian Empire

INVASIONS!!!!INVASIONS!!!!

Vikings from ScandinaviaVikings from Scandinavia Men like Erik Bloodaxe and Men like Erik Bloodaxe and

Thorfinn Skullsplitter would take Thorfinn Skullsplitter would take their huge oar ships and raid cities their huge oar ships and raid cities and villages plundering and looting.and villages plundering and looting.

There was no organized defense There was no organized defense against these savage warriors and against these savage warriors and their hit and run raids. their hit and run raids.

Way of the VikiWay of the Vikingng

Viking RaidsViking Raids

Vikings are also called Norsemen. They Vikings are also called Norsemen. They sailed to modern Britain and France sailed to modern Britain and France eventually establishing colonies as far as eventually establishing colonies as far as Russia and the islands in the North Russia and the islands in the North Atlantic.Atlantic.

Home – small villages in homes made of Home – small villages in homes made of logs or boards logs or boards

To go a-Viking... Same as go on an To go a-Viking... Same as go on an adventure overseas.adventure overseas.

Vikings continuedVikings continuedEric the Red reached Greenland in Eric the Red reached Greenland in 986. His son Leif Ericson reached 986. His son Leif Ericson reached the northeast coast of North the northeast coast of North America say the sagas.America say the sagas.

They wore metal helmets They wore metal helmets decorated with pictures of animals, decorated with pictures of animals, and shirts made from iron rings and shirts made from iron rings covered by a large piece of cloth covered by a large piece of cloth that protected them when they that protected them when they raided.raided.

Leif Ericson

FeudalismFeudalism

The largest raids were coming The largest raids were coming between 850 and 950 A.D.between 850 and 950 A.D.

Feudalism – The effect of Feudalism – The effect of barbarian attacks and resulted as barbarian attacks and resulted as a form of defense for both the a form of defense for both the nobility and peasants.nobility and peasants.

King

Lord/ Vassels/ Church Officials

Knight

Peasant/Serf

European

Feudal

Society

Social ClassesSocial Classes

Those who fought – Nobles and Those who fought – Nobles and KnightsKnights

Those who prayed – Men and women Those who prayed – Men and women of the Churchof the Church

Those who worked – Peasants and Those who worked – Peasants and SerfsSerfs

Nobles and KnightsNobles and Knights

Feudalism is based on mutual Feudalism is based on mutual obligations.obligations.

A lord grants land called a Fief to a A lord grants land called a Fief to a Vassal who is a Noble.Vassal who is a Noble.

Knights serve the Vassal in exchange Knights serve the Vassal in exchange for land. In return, they offer their for land. In return, they offer their sword.sword.

Peasants do not fight!!!!Peasants do not fight!!!!

Knight videoKnight video

ChivalryChivalryA code of complex ideals for a knight.A code of complex ideals for a knight.

The ideal knight was loyal, brave, and The ideal knight was loyal, brave, and courteous, however, this did not always apply to courteous, however, this did not always apply to the lower classes.the lower classes.

It evolved into today’s good manners and valuesIt evolved into today’s good manners and values

He has 3 masters:He has 3 masters: His Feudal lordHis Feudal lord His Heavenly LordHis Heavenly Lord His chosen ladyHis chosen lady

TournamentsTournaments

Knights would hone their skills at Knights would hone their skills at mock battles called tournaments.mock battles called tournaments.

Troubadours – poet musicians who Troubadours – poet musicians who entertained at castles and courts of entertained at castles and courts of Europe. They would be seen at Europe. They would be seen at tournaments.tournaments.

Development of a KnightDevelopment of a KnightPagePage Age 7 - Sent to a castle of another lord. Age 7 - Sent to a castle of another lord.

This is where he receives his education.This is where he receives his education.

SquireSquire Age 14 – Servant to the knight, takes care of Age 14 – Servant to the knight, takes care of

the horse, armor, and weapons.the horse, armor, and weapons.

KnightKnight Age 21 – His lord will dub him a knight.Age 21 – His lord will dub him a knight.

ManorsManors

Medieval Medieval CastlesCastles

Castle videoCastle video