The Middle Ages in The Middle Ages in EuropeEurope

(Medieval Europe)(Medieval Europe)

The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages500 A.D. – 800 A.D.500 A.D. – 800 A.D.

Germanic barbarians destroyed Germanic barbarians destroyed Rome and the Roman way of life Rome and the Roman way of life which led to fall of the Roman which led to fall of the Roman Empire.Empire.

During this time civilization declined During this time civilization declined in Europe.in Europe.

Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages

The Germanic people who The Germanic people who conquered the Romans divided conquered the Romans divided themselves into the following tribes:themselves into the following tribes:

1.1. VisigothsVisigoths

2. The Franks2. The Franks

3. Anglo-Saxons3. Anglo-Saxons

Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages

The Great European Plain:The Great European Plain:

This plain stretches across most of NorthernThis plain stretches across most of Northern

Europe. Farmers during this time learned toEurope. Farmers during this time learned to

farm the plains by clearing forests, farm the plains by clearing forests, inventinginventing

a heavy iron plow, and by using oxen to pull a heavy iron plow, and by using oxen to pull

their plows. Farmers were able to raise a their plows. Farmers were able to raise a

surplus of food.surplus of food.

Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages

Charlemagne:Charlemagne:

Son of Pepin the Short, he ruled most of Son of Pepin the Short, he ruled most of

Western Europe by 800. He built the largest Western Europe by 800. He built the largest

empire in Europe since the time of Rome.empire in Europe since the time of Rome.

His name means “Charles the Great.” HisHis name means “Charles the Great.” His

empire did not last long after his death in 814 empire did not last long after his death in 814

because his grandsons fought over who would because his grandsons fought over who would rule.rule.

Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages

Alfred the Great:Alfred the Great:

Was the ruler of Wessex (a kingdom in Was the ruler of Wessex (a kingdom in Southern Southern

England). England). He raised an army to defeat the Danish (people He raised an army to defeat the Danish (people

from Denmark) and invaded their kindgdom.from Denmark) and invaded their kindgdom. He worked hard to strengthen his kingdom and He worked hard to strengthen his kingdom and

improve learning.improve learning.

The Church in the Middle The Church in the Middle AgesAges

By 1000 A.D., most of Europe was By 1000 A.D., most of Europe was Christian.Christian.

In every town or village there was a In every town or village there was a church and daily life was centered church and daily life was centered around the church bells.around the church bells.

The priest was an important part of The priest was an important part of village life.village life.

Monks and NunsMonks and Nuns

MonksMonks: men who lived in monasteries : men who lived in monasteries who devoted their lives to God.who devoted their lives to God.

NunsNuns: women who lived in convents : women who lived in convents who devoted their lives to God.who devoted their lives to God.

Monks & Nuns lived by strict rules. They Monks & Nuns lived by strict rules. They spent most of their time in work, spent most of their time in work, prayer, and study. These two groups prayer, and study. These two groups made up what is known as the made up what is known as the clergyclergy..

Monks & NunsMonks & Nuns

During the middle ages, they During the middle ages, they converted most of Europe to converted most of Europe to Christianity.Christianity.

In most towns, only monks & nuns In most towns, only monks & nuns could read and write. They helped could read and write. They helped people learn.people learn.

The CrusadesThe Crusades

Series of holy wars fought between Series of holy wars fought between many Christians in Europe (known as many Christians in Europe (known as the Crusaders) who wanted to fight for the Crusaders) who wanted to fight for the Christian way of life against the the Christian way of life against the Muslims.Muslims.

They drove the Muslims out for some They drove the Muslims out for some time but they eventually returned.time but they eventually returned.

How did the Crusades change How did the Crusades change Europe?Europe?

The Crusaders found that Muslim The Crusaders found that Muslim leaders could be civilized and well leaders could be civilized and well educated.educated.

Seasoning of food with spices Seasoning of food with spices developed so trade increased.developed so trade increased.

Desire for silk clothingDesire for silk clothing Since trade flourished, it helped cities Since trade flourished, it helped cities

to grow & develop.to grow & develop.

The Power of the ChurchThe Power of the Church

If people broke the rules of the church, If people broke the rules of the church, they were they were excommunicatedexcommunicated (cut off (cut off from the church). This was terrible for from the church). This was terrible for these people because all hope of these people because all hope of going to heaven was now gone.going to heaven was now gone.

There was a struggle for power There was a struggle for power between the pope and the king during between the pope and the king during the middle ages.the middle ages.

FeudalismFeudalism

The system of government/social organization The system of government/social organization developed during the middle ages.developed during the middle ages.

The king had most of the power.The king had most of the power. Under the king, was the noble class which Under the king, was the noble class which

went lords, knights, and vassals.went lords, knights, and vassals. Under the noble class were the church Under the noble class were the church

officials. officials. At the bottom was the townspeople and serfs At the bottom was the townspeople and serfs

and peasants.and peasants.

Feudal SystemFeudal System Lord: Lord: land owner, a king or powerful land owner, a king or powerful

noblenoble Vassal:Vassal: promised to serve & obey the promised to serve & obey the

lord. Many knights were vassals.lord. Many knights were vassals. Church officials: Church officials: priests, bishops, etc.priests, bishops, etc. Townspeople: Townspeople: merchants, farmers, merchants, farmers,

craftsmen, etc.craftsmen, etc. Serfs/Peasants: Serfs/Peasants: poorest class, poorest class,

farmers who lived & worked on the farmers who lived & worked on the landland

The rise of nations in EuropeThe rise of nations in Europe

Later in the Middle Ages, feudalism began Later in the Middle Ages, feudalism began to die out and kings began to build modern to die out and kings began to build modern nationsnations (countries). (countries).

Some of these modern nations that began Some of these modern nations that began were England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, were England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Norway, & sweden.Germany, Denmark, Norway, & sweden.

England was the first country to unite under England was the first country to unite under a strong a strong monarchymonarchy (a govt. headed by a (a govt. headed by a king or queen).king or queen).

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta

During the reign of King John in During the reign of King John in England in the early 13England in the early 13thth century, the century, the nobles rebelled against him and nobles rebelled against him and forced him to sign a forced him to sign a chartercharter (an (an agreement that gives you certain agreement that gives you certain rights). rights).

This charter became know as the This charter became know as the Magna Carta or the Great Charter.Magna Carta or the Great Charter.

What did the Magna Carta What did the Magna Carta say?say?

The king could not collect taxes The king could not collect taxes unless agreed upon by a council.unless agreed upon by a council.

Gave the accused the right to a fair Gave the accused the right to a fair trial.trial.

Most importantly, it put limits on the Most importantly, it put limits on the king’s power.king’s power.

The ParliamentThe Parliament

Began in England in 1265.Began in England in 1265. Was a council that included Was a council that included

representatives of small landowners representatives of small landowners & townspeople.& townspeople.

At first the parliament had little At first the parliament had little power, but later they gained power power, but later they gained power to pass laws in England.to pass laws in England.

The Bubonic Plague (Black The Bubonic Plague (Black Death)Death)

This widespread illness spread This widespread illness spread through Europe in the late 1340’s.through Europe in the late 1340’s.

The plague killed so many people The plague killed so many people that the population in Europe was that the population in Europe was almost cut in half!!almost cut in half!!

http://www.themiddleages.net/plague.html

The Hundred Years WarThe Hundred Years War

War between France & England in the War between France & England in the late Middle Ages that lasted 100 years.late Middle Ages that lasted 100 years.

The reason for the war was mainly over The reason for the war was mainly over land.land.

While the English won many important While the English won many important battles, the French eventually drove the battles, the French eventually drove the English out and won the war.English out and won the war.

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc

In 1429, this 17-year-old peasant girl asked In 1429, this 17-year-old peasant girl asked to see the king of France. She told him she to see the king of France. She told him she had been hearing voices from heaven & had been hearing voices from heaven & that she had been ordered to save France. that she had been ordered to save France.

The king put her at the head of the army The king put her at the head of the army which gave them hope. which gave them hope.

Joan was captured & burned to death by Joan was captured & burned to death by the English. This angered the people of the English. This angered the people of France and united them together.France and united them together.

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc

Change & the development of Change & the development of new ideas provided the new ideas provided the people with a chance of people with a chance of growth while the time of the growth while the time of the Middle Ages came to an end.Middle Ages came to an end.

Questions to Ponder:Questions to Ponder:

What is feudalism and how did it affect What is feudalism and how did it affect the people of the Middle Ages?the people of the Middle Ages?

What made Charlemagne so successful?What made Charlemagne so successful? How were the people of the Middle Ages How were the people of the Middle Ages

influenced by the Church?influenced by the Church? Why was the Magna Carta so important?Why was the Magna Carta so important? What replaced feudalism as the main What replaced feudalism as the main

form of government?form of government?