Medieval Europe – The Middle Ages

Brainstorm three questions you would like to explore based on this picture. Write them down

on notebook paper/in your device.

Important Vocabulary for this Unit• Feudalism – a political and military system used in the

Middle Ages

• Fief - a large area of land that a lord gave to a less wealthy noble, who was known as a vassal.

• Lords - could be any nobleman, member of a high-ranking class, or church official who owned a fief and allowed a person to use part of it in return for services.

• Vassal - Individuals who agreed to use a portion of a lord’s land. Ownership of the land remained with the lord, but he allowed the vassal to tax the peasants on the land and keep the proceeds. Also, the vassals received a portion of the crops that these peasants produced. In return, the vassal promised to be loyal to and fight for his lord.

Peasantshttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/8A844E8F-484F-43DA-BFF5-C1C5D207E72F

Peasants were also known as serfs. Serfs were peasants who were attached

to the land and unable to travel freely.

Economy Begins to Expand

• During the High Middle Ages (1000 CE – 1300 CE), the economy of Europe gets stronger– Farms begin to produce more crops– Population increases

• Merchants begin to trade extra goods with one another– Some merchants begin to travel far

distances to trade goods

Economy Continues to Expand

• Trade routes are developed along major rivers

• Towns begin to grow and roads connect towns

• Peasants and serfs are able to start saving money and leave their manor– Many peasants and serfs become craftspeople

and merchants– Some start their own farms near towns where

food is needed

Feudalism Weakens

• Because many serfs and peasants are beginning to leave their manors, the feudalism system becomes weaker

• Kings became more powerful. People agreed to pay taxes in return for protection and government– Kings are able to afford the powerful armies

and the best weapons• Lords and knights begin to lose their

power

Nation-States Emerge

• During the Late Middle Ages (1300-1500), several kingdoms continued to increase in size and power and eventually formed nation-states

• Nation-State: An independent country united under one government and linked by a common culture and language

• 4 major kingdoms developed into nation-states:– England– France– Spain– Russia

England

• During the Early Middle Ages, England was dominated by two tribes: – the Angles (northern, central and eastern England)– the Saxons (southern England)

• In the 800s, King Alfred united the two groups to from one country

• In 1066, there was a conflict for the next King of England when King Edward died– A French nobleman named William the Conqueror

defeated Harold of Wessex in the Battle of Hastings

England (continued)• William the Conqueror became King of

England and set up a strong central government

• At first, there were conflicts between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans (a group from France). Eventually, they worked out their differences – The modern English language is a combination

of Anglo-Saxon and Norman languages• Henry II established the English system of

common law- laws that applied equally to everyone in England

The Magna CartaMagna Carta- Brainpop

• The Magna Carta came about when King John angered many nobles with a set of laws they believed were unfair

• In 1215, the nobles, barons, and church officials rebelled against King John and forced him to sign an agreement. This agreement listed the rights of nobles and limited the power of kings

• The average person did not gain any rights in the Magna Carta, but it became a model for those that demanded democratic rights in the future

Magna Carta

1. Why would King John agree to sign the Magna Carta if it limited his power?

2. What are the differences and similarities of the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights?

3. What is a parliament?

France

• A group called the Franks formed the Holy Roman Empire in the 800s

• Next, the Capetian Dynasty began and rulers of this dynasty continued to expand the French kingdom

France (continued)

• In 1226, Louis IX became King of France at the age of 12 (with help from his mom). Louis was a strong leader:– He defined the duties or royal officials– He created punishments for

counterfeiting money– He outlawed duels

• In 1328, the last Capetian ruler died and France entered a period known as the Hundred Years War

The Hundred Years War

• Lasted from 1337-1453• A series of short wars between England and France over

control of land• The English won major battles because they had better

weapons, mainly the longbow• Joan of Arc was a peasant girl from who said she had

visions from God to drive the English out of France– Led by Joan of Arc, the French rallied and pushed the English

back. However, she was captured and killed• After her death, the French started using cannons and

were able to drive the English all the way out of France

Spain• During the 700s, Muslims conquered much of the

land in Spain and ruled the area for a few hundred years

• By the late 1200s, the Christians pushed the Muslims out of Spain, except for small parts

• The kingdoms of Prince Ferdinand and Princess Isabella joined forming one large Spanish kingdom

• They were able to defeat the remaining Muslims

The Inquisition

• Although Muslims no longer had control of Spain, some Muslims still lived there

• This led to the Inquisition• During the Inquisition, Christians tortured and

killed many people of other religions (Islam and Judaism) because they viewed these religions as a threat

Russia

• During the 900s, Russia was known as Kievan Rus

• Weakened by civil war, Kiev and its surrounding states were captured by the Mongols, led by Genghis Kahn in the early 1200s

• They were forced to be part of the Mongolian Empire

Russia (continued)

• By 1380, Russia had gained enough power and wealth to fight back against the Mongols

• In the early 1400s, the Russians were able to drive the Mongols out of Russia for good

The Mongolian Empire in 1279

Russia (continued)

• In 1547, a tsar (ruler) named Ivan IX took control of Russia

• Ivan feared that nobles would try to overthrow him, so he:– Killed and imprisoned many wealthy citizens– He passed laws making serfs and peasants bound to

their land (not allowed to leave). Serfs and peasants were a part of Russia until the 1800s.

– He required nobles to supply troops for the Russian army• He later became known as Ivan the Terrible