Western and Eastern Europe

The Early Middle Ages (476-1000CE)

Early Middle Ages - Topics

Fall of Rome/Western Europe in 500

Foederati

Christianity

Development

Monastic life

Division with East

Jerome

Ambrose

Augustine

Fall of the Roman Empire

Western Empire declines as Eastern flourishes

Internal decay

External threats

Overextended borders

Remaining influences

Roman tradition

Western Church

Germanic tribes

Western Europe in 500 CE

Visigoths in Southern Gaul/Northern Spain

Vandals in Southern Spain, Northern Africa

and Northern Prussia

Huns throughout Europe (sacked Rome 410)

Angles-Saxons in England

Franks in Northern Gaul

Ostrogoths in Italy

Also Lombards, Burgundians (more

Germans)

FoederatiBy end of Empire, Romans hired Visigoth

mercenaries for soldiers on eastern border

Called the Emperor’s “special allies”

Treated badly by Romans

Visigoths forced to trade children for dogs

to eat

Foederati rebel

Development of Christianity in

the West

As Roman control over Europe declines,

the Christian Church fills the void

Europe isolated following end of Roman

Empire - Church often only authority and

most stable institution

Church administration centralized with

Roman archbishop given “Papal Primacy”

Monastic ChristianityMonasticism - priests turning away from

popular culture to study faith

Sought seclusion instead of self-torture

Two types -

Hermit - complete seclusion

Communal - communities

of monks - missionary

oriented - “cities of God” -

ex. Benedictines

Division of Christendom

East and West compete for supremacy of

Christianity

Eastern Church too preoccupied with Islam

to use resources to bring West under control

Western Church allies with Franks against

Lombards for protection

Gulf widens between doctrinal views

Western v. Eastern Christianity

Pope has final say

Church competes with political

leaders for control

Celibate priesthood

Unleavened bread

Church councils decide

Church accepts political

control

Priest could marry

Leavened bread

Influences of

Christianity in the

West

300 – 500 C.E.

70 C.E. – 1000 C.E.

Jerome (347 – 420 c.e.)

Translated Bible from Hebrew and Greek to Latin (Latin Vulgate)

Travels to Constantinople, Damascus and Jerusalem

Believed Bible allegorical, not literal

Classical training good if Christian purpose served

No baths for women

Ambrose (330 – 397 C.E.)

Archbishop of Milan

During his time, more

influential than the Pope

Forces late Roman

Emperor to do penance

for killing civilians -

Church over state

Augustine (354-430 C.E)

Bishop of Hippo (Northern Italy)

Said the Bible is revealed obscurely - an

education needed to understand

Believed in predestination

Author, “On the City of God”

Canonized after death

Early Political Development –

Europe Starting to look like Europe

Franks

Merovingians

Carolingians

Charlemagne

Carolingian Renaissance

The FranksLoose group of tribes

inhabiting northeastern

Europe in 3rd century

Clovis, unites group

(Merovingian dynasty) to

become largest political

power in wake of Empire

Converts for alliance with

the Church

Merovingians Solidify rule by giving control to non-nobles (to

create loyalty) with office of Count

Counts gain land becoming another type of

aristocracy who become resentful

Administration left to the “mayor of the palace” -

Pepin I takes control of Franks

- establishes Carolingian

dynasty

CarolingiansPepin I - Pepin II - Charles Martel -

Pepin III (the Short) - Charlemagne

Charles Martel (the hammer) creates large cavalry force using aristocracy - awards control of local area back to nobles giving benefices or fiefs (gifts of land) – beginning of feudalism

Defeats the Muslims at the Battle of Toursin 732, effectively ended the Muslim advance into Europe

Battle of Tours 732CE

Carolingians and the Church

Carolingians enlist Church to help maintain

control - offer conversion opportunities to

conquered groups - ex: Anglo-Saxons

Pope supports Carolingian takeover of

remnants of Merovingian kingdom

Reciprocal relationship: Carolingians

protects Church from the East/Church

legitimizes dynasty

Give lands surrounding Rome to the Church

Charlemagne (742-814 C.E.)

Solidifies relationship with the Church

Crowned head of (new) Holy Roman Empire

Christmas Day, 800AD

CharlemagneIncreases Frankish realm - extends domain

in name of Christianity

Forces Eastern Empire to

recognize authority in west

- though no takeover

Had strong indirect control over Church -

restored Pope after capture

Governs in the Carolingian way - 250

Counts from aristocracy

CharlemagneLarge-extroverted-practical joker

Expected loyalty - taxes collected -

justice dispensed

Occasionally resorted

to divine justice

“trial by ordeal”

Builds large palace

at Aix-la-Chapelle

(Aachen)

Carolingian Renaissance

Charlemagne used resources taken from

conquered tribes to attract scholars

Aix-la-Chapelle became center of learning

Preserved Roman writings in easier to read

Carolingian script

Served as vehicle to train bureaucrats

Breakup of Carolingian Dynasty

Charlemagne’s son Louis the Pious inherits

Without talented leader, empire unmanageable

Louis the Pious sons’

demand empire divided

Lothar

Louis the German

Pepin/Charles

Kingdoms devolve but

Holy Roman Empire

remains

Feudalism & Manorialism

Definition

Vocabulary

Vassalage

Knights

Workers

Feudal Contract

Manorialism

FeudalismSystem of agriculture that bound workers

(serfs) to owners of the land (lords)

FeudalismSerf/peasant - farm worker

Lord - owner of feudal estate

Manor - farm/estate including local shops

fiefdom - estate or domain of a feudal lord

Fealty - loyalty sworn to lord

Vassal - one who swears loyalty to lord

Liege - lord to which one is most loyal

Vagabond - escaped serf who roamed

VassalageHierarchy of vassalage

King - duke/baron - serf

Knights serve lord of the manor

Serfs might be required to fight also

Some lords vassals to more than one superior

Relationship Between

Lords and Vassals

The relationship between lords and

vassals made up a big part of the

political and social structure of the

feudal system

Vassals had certain duties to

perform for the lord

All nobles were ultimately vassals

of the king.

What is a Knight?

Almost all nobles were knights

Training began at age 7, as a page, under the guidance of the lady of the manor

Became squires at age 15 and were trained by other knights

Those deemed worthy were “dubbed” knights

Chivalry - System of rules that dictates knights’ behavior towards others.

Knighting Ceremony

Does Chivalry Have an Effect?

Did improve the lifestyle of the early feudal lords

However…Knights only required to act courteously toward those of his own class.

Those of a lower class were free game

Coat of ArmsSystem of Identity among Medieval Knights

Meaning belongs to:Colors

Symbols

Helmet

Motto

ExampleGold=Generosity

Red=Warrior

Helmet=Protector

Cat=Liberty &

Courage

Dragon=Valor and

Protection

Workers on the ManorThere were two groups of peasant workers

on the manor

Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and

could leave the manor whenever they

wished. (They usually had a skill needed by

others on the manor.)

Serfs – workers bound to the land by

contract with the nobles. (They had no

freedom - they where the noble’s property.)

Characteristics of Feudalism

Serfs bound to the land - multigenerational

Levels of serfdom

free serfs - some rights,

had some bargaining power

(small landowners)

servile serfs - no rights,

needed permission for

marriage, travel, etc.

Feudal Contract

LORDS

VASSALS

GIVE

PROTECTION

TO

GIVE

SERVICE

TO

Why did Feudalism work?

Lords needed stable workforce for land

Serfs needed a job and protection

Periodic waves of invaders threatened safety of the landless - 1000 CE new wave of Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims

Crusades were partly an excuse to give the knights something to do

Lords traded use of land for share of crop

Small landowners trade also with lords

Necessary antecedent for Nation-States

•Economic system around a lord’s manor

•Manor included a village and the land

surrounding it

•Each group in society had their own job and

responsibility to fulfill

•Self-sufficient

Changes in Agriculture

Climate improves in Europe - 700-1200 CE

temperature rises 1 degree centigrade

Moldboard plow allows deeper penetration

3 field crop rotation system used

Padded collars for horses

Harness of water power for mills

Wheelbarrow developed

BTW, Little Ice Age is beginning

Western Europe during

the

Middle Ages: Emerging

Monarchs

France, England, Germany and Spain

France: Clovis I, (481-511)

Clovis I

Charles Martel

Charlemagne

Philip II “Augustus” (1190-1223) - Expanded the kingdom of France by taking Normandy, Anjou, & Touraine from the British.

Louis IX “St. Louis” (1226-1270) - He convinced

his subjects that the monarchy was essential to

their happiness & well-being

Philip IV “the Fair” (1300s)

Established the Estates General (a feudal council which could advise the king while also pledging loyalty & submission).

As noted in “Prominent Popes” Philip IV also defied & arrested the Pope.

A French papacy was established at Avignon which remained under French control from 1305-1377.

EnglandWilliam I “the Conqueror” (Duke of

Normandy)

Defeated the Celts, Angles, Saxons & Jutes

in England at the Battle of Hastings (1066)

He thus united England & laid the

foundations for a sovereign nation-state.

“Domesday Book”

William I compiled

the “Domesday Book”

in 1086 which

surveyed the people of

England.

He thereby contributed

still further to the

unification of

England.

Henry II of England (1154-1189)

Married Eleanor of Acquitaine & thereby extended the territory of England to include land in “France”.

He also established a Court system which enforced a common set of laws.

His style & energy were models for future monarchs.

Henry II Eleanor of Aquitaine

Thomas á BecketWas appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry II.

Although this is an example of “lay investiture,” Thomas á Becket pledged his first loyalty to the Pope.

As a result of this power struggle Thomas á Becket was eventually killed, but he was also forever admired.

King John of EnglandKnown in the Robin Hood tale

Was forced by nobles to sign the Magna Carta

(1215).

This document limited the King’s power by

insisting that he consult with the Nobles before

raising taxes and/or waging war.

It marks the beginning of England’s “democratic

tradition.”

Magna

Carta

Parliament (1265)A British institution that provides for elected representation of the people in government.

It is another example of England’s evolving Democratic Tradition.

Parliament consists of a House of Lords (Nobles-heredity based) & a House of Commons (elected).

Gradually the House of Commons became the most powerful.

The “100 Years War”The “100 Years War”(1337-1453) was fought between England & France.

Main period of fighting. Treaty not signed till later.

The most important cause was over territory in “France.”

Under the “miraculous” leadership of Joan of Arc, France eventually won and England forever gave up claims to “French” territory.

100 Years War: France vs.

England

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc led

French troops to

victory in the 100

years war.

She was later

captured by the

British & burned to

death as a witch.

Treaty to conclude the 100 yrs

War in 1475

100 YRS War basically ended kings reliance on feudal armies

“Germany” Remained fragmented throughout the medieval period and would not be united as a sovereign nation-state until 1870.

At the time of Charlemagne much of “Germany” had been part of the “Holy Roman Empire,” but after Charlemagne’s death the HRE was split into 3 parts.

GermanyTwo of Medieval Germany’s most

prominent kings were:

Frederick I “Barbarosa” 1152-1190 &

Frederick II, 1212-1250.

E190Germ/ItMAP

Medieval ItalyDuring the Middle Ages Italy basically

consisted of 3 parts:

North: Powerful & wealthy city-states such as

Florence, Genoa & Venice competed with

Muslims & Byzantines for trade with Asia.

Central: Papal States.

South: Kingdom of the two Sicilies.

Italy would not be united until 1870.

Medieval SpainMuslims conquered Spain in the 700s but Spanish leaders fought the Reconquista (1065-1500) & eventually drove the Muslims out.

Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile and together they completed the Reconquista;

Ferdinand & Isabella united all of Spain

Led the Age of Exploration (late 1400s).

Isabella & Ferdinand of Spain

Reasons for the Decline of

Feudalism in Medieval Europe

Rise of towns: People found economic opportunities beyond the manors.

The Bubonic plague (Black Death) caused a 30% decline in European population. - Video

The Crusades provided opportunities for people to leave the manors.

Emerging monarchs (powerful, centralized authority) replaced feudal lords.

End

Finally!