Transcript The Middle Ages - Kenston Local Schools

Agenda
• Section 1 Continued
• Order out of Chaos
Fall of Rome (476) ends ancient world
 Renaissance (1400ish) starts the modern
world
 “Middle” (Medieval) ages are the transition
between the two. 476-1400
 This is when “Europe” will develop into what
we recognize today- taking the cultural
legacies of Greece and Rome, adding the
customs of the German peoples, and
Christian faith.
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Historical Context
Byzantine Empire – C.E. 395 – C.E. 1589
Russia (Kiev) – C.E. 862 – C.E. 1500s
Rise of Islam – C.E. 570 – C.E. 1250
China – Shang, Zhou, Zin (581) and Han
dynasties have come and gone
Germanic tribe – invaders who had a major role in
shaping the “new” culture in Europe.
 Clovis – successors – Merovingians – supported by
the Church.
 After Clovis’ death – the kingdom is divided
(typical) – and weakens.
 Pepin II united the kingdom again.
 Charles Martel – pushed back the Moors (732) –
succeeded by Pepin the Short (III) who overthrew
the last Merovingian ruler. – Donation of Pepin – led
to alliance with the Church.
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Charlemagne – ruled for 46 years – solidified unity
of the empire – “New Rome” – centered in modern
day France and Germany.
Warrior – conquered Italy, Northern Germany and
all of France. Pushed back by the Moors in Spain.
C.E. 800 – Christmas Day – Pope crowns him
“Emperor of the Romans”
Divided empire into Regions ruled by counts.
› Oath of fidelity
› “The lord’s messengers” – traveling representatives of
Charlemagne.
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Education – Charlemagne established schools run
by monks. Emphasized grammar, rhetoric, logic,
mathematics, music and astronomy.
Translation of the Bible into readable form.
From 400s-800s life was about survivalwho (and what) can keep you safe?
 No more central government- Power
given to those who provide security
 Anything not immediately usefuldiscarded. Very little knowledge or
achievement (the world is ending- why
bother?)
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Three Parts of Society
Feudal system. Your place in the world was
concrete- you did one of three things
› Nobility (including king) and Knights. In
charge of Safety- therefore the government
› Had power and privilege-castles and armorsupposed to use it to protect others
› Inherited position. Wealthy .Educated in
fighting- and the law. Code of behavior
(Chivalry)
Peasants (farmers, merchants, craftsmen)
Work and lifestyle vary widely across
Europe- and by what you did- some
comfortable- others miserable.
 Tough lives: Work from birth until death (at
40!) Education almost unheard of- so we
know the least about them
 Serfs- lowest group in society- tied to the
land. Virtually slaves
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The Clergy- the Catholic church.
Christianity is the glue holding society togetherthe one thing everyone has in common.
Medieval people believed church was the only
path into heaven- clergy had HUGE power
Preserved knowledge- only group that was
literate. They kept the records
Only group you can “join”- the only real option
if you want a different life from the one you
were born to.
Came into Gaul (France) as one of first
Germanic invaders around 200 ad.
“France”= “land of Franks”
 United to fight the Goths under Clovis
481- first king after fall of Rome.
 Most important contribution of the Franks
was the creation of Feudalism- the
social/political/economic system of the
middle ages.
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System of reward
and obligationspecific rules which replaced Roman
law- ran the medieval world.
 Organized around a castle or manor
 Loyalty in return for protection
 Like polis-everyone knows their role in
society- feel connected. Like Romansrules are to be followed no matter what.
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King
Nobles
Nobles
 Knights
Knights
 Peasants Peasants Peasants Peasants
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The land in the Feudal system
 All the land belongs to the king
(kingdoms change size frequently). King
gives land to nobles (Duke, Baron,
Count, Lord) who defend land with their
knights (warriors).
 In order to get the fief- you must swear
Fealty (loyalty) and pay Homage (honor)
every year ($$ )
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Oath of Fealty
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By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I will
to be true and faithful, and love all which he loves
and despise all which he despises, according to
the laws of God and the order of the world. Nor will
I ever, with thought or action, through word or
deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on
condition that he will punish me as I shall deserve it,
and that he will perform everything as it was in our
agreement when I submitted myself to him and
chose his will.
II: It is right that those who offer to us unbroken
fealty should be protected by our aid. And since
such a faithful one of ours, by the favor of God,
coming here in our castle with his arms, has seen fit
to swear trust and fidelity to us in our hand,
therefore we decree and command by the
present precept that for the future such be
counted with the number of vassals.
The person
who GETS the fief. (having sworn fealty)
 Nobles who get land must swear to protect
all who live there (build castle, pay knights)
 All who live there then owe Fealty and
Homage to the noble (must work for the
noble- and/or pay a percentage of their
crop) Serfs come with the land
 Feudalism is hereditary- Primogeniture- all
land and title goes to oldest son
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The purpose of feudalism was protection.
Castle main defense- run inside and hide! But if
that doesn’t work- call the knights.
Knights were the warriors- Not like Greece and
Rome (where everyone fought)- knights had
special training (started in childhood), advanced
weapons.
To be a knight you needed
› Noble birth/training
Jousts- practice fights
› Horse
became popular
› Armor
entertainment
Castles- the first line of defense
Motte and Bailey Castles
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Greatest Frankish king
(768-814) restores
order
His rule will end the
dark ages- creates
“Carolingian
Renaissance”
Gave people
confidence- full of
energy. Excellent
warrior- rebuilt cities
and schools- tried to
regain knowledge
(monastaries)
800 Charlemagne goes to Italy to help
Pope fight Lombards.
 Christmas Day- Pope rewards
Charlemagne crowning him “Holy
Roman Emperor”- saying that he has
restored the glory of Rome- and that his
power comes from God. (through pope)
 Charlemagne continues to conquer new
land- spreading feudalism and order
across northern Europe.
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Charlemagne had one son- Louis the Pius- not a
great leader- so his sons (Charlemagne’s
grandsons) force him to give up the kingdom
Empire divided into three pieces (old Frankish
tradition- will cause huge problems- and start
primogeniture)
› Charles the bald (FR)
Louis the German (GR)
Lothair (HRE)
› Civil war over who got “best” part- “king” loses
power- local nobles gain it. HRE will continue to
exist for 600 years- but never be as powerful
again
Invasions had never really stopped- but
Charlemagne’s strength had kept them
away from his territory.
 800s- 1000(ish) 3 new sets of invaders
start to arrive- and they bring new
problems
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› Moors- Muslims out of north Africa. They want
land eventually take over Spain.
› Magyars- From the east- old school invaders
sack/plunder- they want $$$. Can be
paid off.
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The ones to worry aboutmost scary of all invaders- ever.
From the North (Scandinavia) expert seamen- used
the sea to attack- and leave.
Famous for killing EVERYONE- no mercy, no
negotiation- so ½ the battle was the fear.(valhalla)
Culture very different from Europe (pagan, clan
culture) very upsetting
Explorers/adventurers- would colonize new world
500 years before Columbus