the first medieval synthesis. charlemagne post-charlemagne viking invasions feudal society
TRANSCRIPT
The First Medieval Synthesis
Charlemagne
Post-Charlemagne
Viking Invasions
Feudal Society
Cultural Background as a German, Roman, Christian Blend
What is First Synthesis? Pepin, the Lombards and the Papacy in 756 Summary p. 144 Religious Reformer – David and Josias Pope Leo III and Crowning Emperor
Palace at Aachen Educational Reform Alcuin Monastic schools Curriculum
Carolingian script (miniscule) Carolingian Liturgical Reforms Alcuin’s Revision of Roman Rite Rebirth of Drama Attempts to develop vernacular culture Legends of Charlemagne in Notker and
Song of Roland
Bust of Charlemagne, Cathedral Treasury, Aachen. 14th Century
Louis the Pious, only surviving son of Charlemagne
Louis and monastic reform Louis’ sons, Louis, Charles, and Lothar,
Kings of East Franks, West Franks and Lotharingia
Louis crowned Lothar Emperor in 817 Thus a divided empire. Pope Nicholas and Charles the Bald and the
role of the Pope
Otto I and the reinstitution of an Empire
Otto II and Theophano and the Byzantine Connection
Ottonian Renaissance
Description of Viking Invasions Weakening of already weak kings They started under Charlemagne but kicked
up on Louis the Pious
911 the Northman Rollo was granted the duchy of Normandy
Alfred became Alfred the Great Fighting Vikings
There were other invasions: Muslims, Magyars (Hungarians), and Slavs (Poles)
These invasions short-term disasters but most became Christina kingdoms
Long term influences vary but the Norman influence on England in 1066 was most significant
1066 and All That Bayeux Tapestry
Post-Charlemagne royal or centralized authority weakened
Internal instability and invasions
Emergence of Lord and Vassal Power Arrangements – freeman to freeman bond
What is a vassal
The changing nature of the warrior, the knight
In return for expensive service land, money, or title
Fief and subinfeudation
The role of the Count
Vassal roles inherited or not
As fiefs were divided among children there arose a money shortage
Vassalage and the Private Possession of Political Power: what is it
Where did it flourish
Was it the “feudal system”?
The later idealization of vassalage – chivalry Song of Roland as a text of idealized
vassalage
The reemergence of Central Authority – Feudal Monarchies
Kings would take pay instead of service, use money to buy army
Kings used the judicial system to tighten authority over lords
Kings began to develop more elaborate bureaucracies
Spread of vasslage culture
To Love
To Religion
To the Three Orders of Society
Oratores, Bellatores, Laboratores