Transcript Development of Feudalism

The Development of Feudalism
World History
Charlemagne’s Rise To Power
• Background on the Franks
– Germanic People
– Lived along the Rhine River
– Ultimate loyalty to their kin
– Clovis converted to Christianity, 481 & spread faith to
Franks
• Charlemagne’s Accomplishments
– Created large empire made of self-sufficient manors
– Counts kept order in his kingdom
– Made Aachen a new center for learning; ended lack of
learning
– Brutally put down a Saxon Revolt
– Prevented Muslims from expanding into Europe
– Converted Germans to Christianity through war
• Division of the Frankish Kingdom
– Kingdom divided into three parts after Charlemagne’s
death
– Division weakened Empire’s unity and caused the
collapse of the Frankish Kingdom
Viking Raids
• Who were the Vikings?
– Lifestyle: based on sea: viking= pirate, a viking= to go on an
overseas adventure; both sexes wore long hair; married women
were respected
– Government: tribal units ruled by a jarl, (chief)
– Values: culture of war, blood feuds common
– Education: not important, most illiterate, boys= warriors, girls=
wives
– Religion: worshiped many gods, used crop and animal sacrifices
• Where did they raid and why?
– Raided coastal villages throughout Europe, plundering, killing,
burning, and taking prisoners
– Europe was weak after Charlemagne’s empire fell apart
– Viking longships and weaponry intimidated people of Europe
– Vikings were experienced sailors, traders, and explorers
• What was their impact
on Europe?
– Viking power of
intimidation kept
many Europeans in a
state of terror
– Europeans looked to
local lords to protect
them
– Contributed to the
development of
feudalism
– Viking culture
influenced some
aspects of life in
Europe
Life on a Manor
• Monarchs
– Became weaker after
Charlemagne
– Remained highest authority
• Lords and Nobles
• Knights and Vassals
– Trained warriors who studied
warfare from age seven
– Followed code of Chivalry
– Exchanged military service for
fief
– Vassals served other Lords
– Replaced monarchs as the
local center of authority
– Lived on Manors in Castles • Peasants
– Included powerful clergy
– Freemen paid lord for use of
land and could move around;
– Hunted, defended manor,
often had a skill
oversaw serfs, and settled
legal disputes
– Serfs worked land for the lord
– Serfs were poor and were
prisoners of the manor
William the Conqueror and the Norman Invasion
• The Death of Edward the Confessor
– Edward, King of England, died
without children to succeed him
– Edward promised throne to his
cousin, Duke William of
Normandy
• Harold Godwinsson’s Claim to the
Throne
– Anglo-Saxon assembly selects
Edward’s brother-in-law, Harold,
as king
– By assuming throne Harold
breaks his promise to Edward to
allow William to be king
• Harold Hardrada’s Claim to the throne
– King of Norway, claims he should inherit the English
crown
– Love of fighting (berserking) motivates a senseless
invasion
• Battle of Stamford Bridge, September 1066
– Harold Godwinsson’s army defeats Hardrada’s army
– William’s army sets sail for England two days later
– Godwinsson’s army must move his army south to
meet the Normans
• The Battle of Hastings, October 1066
– Harold’s army relies on two-handed battle-ax
– William’s army uses bow and arrow
– Normans win by faking a retreat
• Importance of the Battle of Hastings
– Norman culture dramatically changed Saxon
traditions
– French words blended with Anglo-Saxon language
– Established the feudal system in England
• Angering the Nobles
– Raised taxes and forced
nobles to buy goods at
high prices
– Ordered nobles to build
palaces
– Demanded money for
war with France and
lost Norman lands
– Engaged in a quarrel
with the pope over
taxing the Church
• Personality
– Assumed throne after
death of brother,
Richard
– Nicknamed “lackland”
because he inherited no
land from his father
– Cruel, ignorant, and
unpopular
King John and the Magna Carta
• The Magna Carta
– “Great Charter” limited monarch’s
power by mandating:
• No imprisonment
without jury trial
• Consultation with
lords before taxing
• No interference
with church’s
authority.
– Eventually gave
power to Nobles who
formed Parliament
and gave rights to all
English people