The Middle Ages500-1500

Middle Ages: Medieval Period, an era of European history following the decline of the Roman Empire lasting

from about 500 to 1500

Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000

High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250

Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500

Medieval Europe: Periodization

Fall of the Western Roman Empire When the Western Half of the Roman Empire

was overrun by Germanic invaders in the 5th century, a series of changes resulted: Disruption of trade – merchants faced invasions and businesses

collapsed. Europe’s great trade cities were destroyed and money was scarce.

Downfall of cities – when the Roman Empire fell, cities were abandoned as centers of administration

Population shifts – nobles and other city dwellers retreated to rural areas and grew their own food. The population became mostly rural.

Decline of Learning The Germanic invaders could not read or write As people fled to the countryside, the level of

learning among Romans themselves declined to the point where few people except priests and other church officials were literate

Knowledge of Greek was lost, as was the literature, science, and philosophy that went with it

Decline of Learning German tribes had a rich oral tradition of songs and

legends but no written language. As the Germanic people mixed with the Romans, Latin

as the common language also disappeared While it was still the official language, it was no longer

understood

By the 800s, French, Spanish, and other Roman-based languages evolved from Latin – symbolic of the breakup of the empire

Results of these changes:

The entire concept of government changed. People lived in rural areas and pledged loyalty

to their local chief or prince Family ties and personal loyalty, rather than

citizenship in a public state, held Germanic society together.

Unlike Romans, Germanic peoples lived in small communities governed by unwritten rules and traditions.

Results of these changes: Conflicts between German princes and German

kings kept Germany from becoming unified because the warriors pledged loyalty to their prince, not a central figure. The Germanic stress on personal ties made it impossible

to establish orderly government for large territories.

Remember: this was a change from the Roman loyalty to citizenship in a central state and their government

The Franks Germanic people called Franks hold power in Roman

province of Gaul (modern day France) and established a great empire during the Middle Ages

Clovis, leader of the Franks, converts to Christianity Church welcomes Clovis’ conversion and supported his

military campaigns against other Germanic peoples. Unites Franks into one kingdom with Church’s help The strategic alliance between Clovis’ Frankish

kingdom and the Church marked the start of a partnership between two powerful forces

Germans Adopt Christianity Politics played a key role in spreading

Christianity. By 600, with Church with help of Frankish rulers,

had converted many Germanic peoples to Christianity. Missionaries spread Christianity.

New converts settle in Rome’s former frontier. To adapt to rural conditions, the Church built

religious communities called monasteries.

End of Roman Empire

After the Roman Empire dissolved, small kingdoms sprang up all over Europe.

The Franks controlled the largest and strongest of Europe’s kingdoms, the area formerly known as the Roman province of Gaul.

600 & 700’s, Frankish kings lost their power to the chief officers of the king’s household = mayor’s of the palace Ruled unofficially as they led the armies and made the

policies but really only head of household.

Frankish control: Charles Martel Mayor of the Palace in 719, Charles Martel

(Charles the Hammer), held more power than the king. He extended Franks’ reign to the north, south,

and east. Also defeated Muslim raider from Spain at the

Battle of Tours in 732. Battle very significant for Christian Europeans

because if the Muslims had won, western Europe might have become part of the Muslim Empire.

Charlemagne Charlemagne = one of history’s great kings/ curious,

driven, intelligent, strong warrior, devout Christian/ was illiterate, but strongly supported learning

Ruled from 768 to 814 - Expanded the Carolingian empire = covered much of western & central Europe Fought Muslims in Spain and tribes from other Germanic

kingdoms. Through conquests, spread Christianity. By 800, Charlemagne’s empire was larger than the

Byzantine Empire after reunited western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire Charlemagne most powerful king in Europe.

Charlemagne

In 800, he travels to Rome to protect Pope Leo III from mobs Pope crowns Charlemagne emperor of the Romans/ the

coronation symbolized the coming together of the Roman, Christian, & Germanic elements that forged European civilization

Charlemagne strengthens his power by limiting the nobles. To govern his empire, he sent out royal agents who made

sure powerful landholders governed their countries justly. Carolingian Renaissance was promoted by Charlemagne

desire to promote learning.

“The Reign of Charlemagne Clip”

New Leadership: Charlemagne died (of Pleurisy at the age of

72) his son, Louis the Pious, took over Louis was religious, but a poor leader- even

his 3 sons fought him for power. He died of illness, then the struggle between the sons began.

They fought for power and agreed to split the empire into three kingdoms = The Treaty of Verdun.

Treaty of Verdun (843) The sons agreed to split

the empire between them

Three kingdoms emerged

As a result, Carolingian kings lost power and central authority broke down.

Turn of Events After the Treaty of Verdun, Charlemagne’s

3 grandsons broke the kingdom up event further.

Territory became a battleground as waves of invaders attacked Europe.

The political turmoil and constant warfare led to the rise of feudalism.

Results of Invasions The invasions by Vikings, Magyars, and

Muslims caused widespread disorder and suffering. Most Western Europeans lived in constant dangers.

People no longer looked to a central ruler for security – now turned to local rulers who had their own armies. Any leader who could fight the invaders gained

followers and political strength.

A New Political System

These new kingdoms = created a highly fragmented and decentralized society Europe full of thousands of independent and

isolated manors (estates)

Gave rise to a new system in Europe = feudalism = a political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service

A New Political System Power = exercised by monarchs and elite

landowning lords Lesser lords and knights swore allegiance to

greater lords and kings Lesser lords = vassals = people who entered into a

mutual obligation to a higher lord or monarch Gave them: military protection and support In return they got: land or fiefs Fiefs = estates that came with serfs to work the land

Feudalism

Medieval Classification Social class is usually inherited; majority of

people are peasants Most peasants are serfs – people lawfully

bound to place of birth Serfs aren’t slaves, but what they produce

belongs to their lord Lords cannot sell or buy them

The Manorial System

Peasants lived on & worked the lord’s land

This agricultural economic system is known as manorialism

In return for the lord’s protection, the peasants provided services for the lord Farming, herding, weapon making,

etc. Most peasants were serfs =

people who couldn’t leave the lord’s manor without permission

The Medieval ManorThe Medieval ManorThe Medieval ManorThe Medieval Manor

Daily life on the Manor Life was harsh and full of work! Things peasants had to deal with included:

Taxes – to the lord, marriage, tithe (church tax which is equal to one-tenth of a peasant’s income)

1-2 room house, dirt floors, straw beds No where to keep livestock Poor diet (bread, vegetables, and soup) Life-expectancy = 35 years (due to malnutrition, tough living and

working conditions) Serfs accepted their life as God’s will

Knights and Chivalry

Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society Western Europe battleground of warring

nobles Feudal lords raise private armies of knights

to defend their estates, seize new territories, and increase their wealth

Code of behavior began to arise. High ideals guided warriors’ actions and

glorified their roles.

Becoming a Knight…

Knights’ behavior was governed by a code of chivalry This became the basis for good manners in western

society

Characteristics of the ideal knight Pastimes of knights- centered on preparing

for war- hunting, wrestling, and tournaments

Knights expected to display courage in battle and loyalty to their lord.

Courageous, loyal, chivalrous, protector of the weak and poor, devoutly religious

How to become a knight… First you must be the son of a noble

Age 7- a page is sent to another castle to serve their host and practice fighting skills

Age 14- a squire acts as a servant for the knight Age 21- a squire can become a full-fledged knight

Knights gain experience in local wars and tournaments – mock battles

Preview “A Knights Tale”

Medieval Knights

Literature of Chivalry Retold stories of chivalrous deeds and

heroic battles – epic poems Downplayed the brutality of knighthood and

feudal warfare Many stories idealized castle life and glorified

knighthood and chivalry, tournaments, and real battles

Songs and poems about a knight’s undying love for a lady were also popular

Literature of Chivalry Feudal lords and their ladies enjoyed

listening to epic poems These poems recounted a hero’s deeds

and adventures Many epics retold stories about legendary heroes

such as King Arthur and Charlemagne Song of Roland is one of the earliest and most

famous medieval epic poems It praises a band of French soldiers who perished in

battle during Charlemagne’s reign.

Irony of Code of Chivalry Code of Chivalry promoted a false image of

knights, making them seem more romantic than brutal.

In turn, these love songs created an artificial image of women.

In a troubadour's eyes, noble women were always beautiful and pure.

What about the women? Most women in feudal society were powerless, just as most

men were. But women had the added burden of being thought inferior

to men. Noble women - young or old, generally confined to activities

in the home or the convent; they held little property but could act as a military commander & warrior to protect the castle when her husband was away

Peasant women- endless labor in the home & fields; poor & powerless but essential; bore children; took care of families

“There are by two powers by which this world is chiefly

ruled: the sacred authority of the priesthood and the

authority of kings.”

Throughout Middle Ages, the church and various European rulers competed for power.

Pope Gelasius I c. 500 said,

Papal Power Expands Under Gregory I Gregory I (The Great)

becomes Pope in 590 Under Gregory, church

becomes secular – a political power

Pope’s place becomes center of Roman government

The structure of the Church

POPE

BISHOPS

PRIESTS

Head of the church

Supervise Priests

Primary administrator of sacraments

Primary Benefit The Medieval Church unified the people

It was a stable force during an era of constant warfare and political turmoil.

All levels of society attended services together- the shared beliefs was a bond between classes- this gave security and a sense of belonging to all people Medieval Christians’ everyday lives were harsh but

still they could all follow the same path to salvation.

Church Laws The Church’s authority was both religious and

political. Church created a system of justice to guide

people’s conduct. Canon Law- body of laws governing the religious

practices of the Christian church laws that ALL people were expected to follow- from

kings to peasants Basically it controlled all aspects of Medieval life- customs,

norms, laws, etc could not violate the church law

So, what happens if a person did violate Canon Law?

The Church had two tools to enact in this case – Kings and emperors expected to obey Pope’s commands or else

face these threats.

Popes have power over political leaders through threat of the following: Excommunication - banishment from church, denied sacraments

and salvation * for a king this would also free his vassals Interdict - (for those who continued to violate the law) no religious

ceremonies could be held in the king’s land (remember the Sacraments – subjects believed without sacrifices they might be doomed to hell)

The Holy Roman Empire Emerges When Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800, he unknowingly

set the stage for future conflicts between popes and emperors. Otto the Great- a successor of Charlemagne – crowned king of Germany in

936 Most effective ruler of Medieval Germany Formed a close alliance with the Church

Limits strength of nobles with help of clergy Gained power over Italy after invading it on the Pope’s behalf Named Germany the Holy Roman Empire; Pope crowns him emperor in

962 Holy Roman Empire: an empire established in Europe in the 10th century AD, originally

consisting mainly of lands in what is now Germany and Italy

The Church and Kings Clash The Church was not happy that kings such as

Otto had control over clergy and their offices. Lay Investiture - ceremony in which kings and

nobles appointed local Church officials; the Church was against this because who ever controlled investiture controlled the clergy

Church believed Emperor shouldn’t have this power. Most famous Clash was between Henry IV and

Pope Gregory VII

Henry IV vs. Pope Gregory VII

1075

A. Pope Gregory VII banned lay investiture (kings appointing Church officials)

B. Henry IV ordered him to resign - with the approval of his Bishops

C. Pope Gregory EXCOMMUNICATES Henry IV- the Bishops and German princes then sided with the Pope

January 1077- The “Showdown” To save his throne, Henry IV traveled to Italy to

visit the Pope After three days of waiting (in the snow) outside of

the Papal palace and begging for forgiveness (according to Gregory’s official church documents) he was granted forgiveness

Nothing was really solved; the conflict continued with their successors over the issue of lay investiture

1122- The Concordat of Worms This was a great compromise between

German royalty and the church Occurred in Worms, Germany

Only the Pope could appoint Bishops

BUT, the King could veto his appointment