Transcript Carolingian
Western and Eastern Europe
The Early
Middle Ages
(476-1000CE)
Fall of the Roman Empire
Western Empire declines as Eastern flourishes
Internal decay
External threats
Overextended borders
Remaining influences
Roman tradition
Western Church
Germanic tribes
Western Europe in 500 CE
Visigoths in Southern Gaul/Northern Spain
Vandals in Southern Spain
Huns throughout Europe (sacked Rome 410)
Angles-Saxons in England
Franks in Northern Gaul
Ostrogoths in Italy
Also Lombards, Burgundians
Development of Christianity in
the West
As Roman control over Europe declines,
the Christian Church fills the void
Europe isolated following end of Roman
Empire - Church often only authority and
most stable institution
Church administration centralized with
Roman archbishop given “Papal Primacy”
Monastic Christianity
Monasticism - priests turning away from
popular culture to study faith
Sought seclusion instead of self-torture
Two types Hermit - complete seclusion
Communal - communities
of monks - missionary
oriented - “cities of God” ex. Benedictines
Division of Christendom
East and West compete for supremacy of
Christianity
Eastern Church too preoccupied with Islam
to use resources to bring West under control
Western Church allies with Franks against
Lombards for protection
Gulf widens between doctrinal views
Western v. Eastern Christianity
Pope has final say
Church competes with
political for control
Celibate priesthood
Unleavened bread
Church councils decide
Church accepts political
control
Priest could marry
Leavened bread
Influences of
Christianity in the
West
300 – 500 C.E.
Ambrose (330 – 397 C.E.)
Archbishop of Milan
During his time, more
influential than the Pope
Forces late Roman
Emperor to do penance
for killing civilians Church over state
Jerome (347 – 420 c.e.)
Translated Bible from Hebrew and Greek to Latin
(Latin Vulgate)
Travels to Constantinople, Damascus and
Jerusalem
Believed Bible allegorical,
not literal
Classical training good if
Christian purpose served
No baths for women
Augustine (354-430 C.E)
Bishop of Hippo
Said the Bible is revealed obscurely - an
education needed to understand
Believed in original sin and
predestination
Author, “On the City of God”
Canonized after death
Early Political Development –
Europe Starting to look like Europe
It all starts with the Franks!
Franks
Merovingians
Carolingians
Charlemagne
Carolingian Renaissance
The Franks
Loose group of tribes
inhabiting northeastern
Europe in 3rd century
Clovis, unites group
(Merovingian dynasty) to
become largest political
power in wake of Empire
Converts for alliance with
the Church
Merovingians
Solidify rule by giving control to non-nobles (to
create loyalty) with office of Count
Counts gain land becoming another type of
aristocracy who become resentful
Administration left to the “mayor of the palace” Pepin I takes control of Franks
- establishes Carolingian
dynasty
Carolingians
Pepin I - Pepin II - Charles Martel Pepin III (the Short) - Charlemagne
Charles Martel (the hammer) creates large
cavalry force using aristocracy - awards
control of local area back to nobles giving
benefices or fiefs (gifts of land) – beginning
of feudalism
Defeats the Muslims at the Battle of Tours
in 732, effectively ended the Muslim
advance into Europe
Battle of Tours
Carolingians and the Church
Carolingians enlist Church to help maintain
control - offer conversion opportunities to
conquered groups - ex: Anglo-Saxons
Pope supports Carolingian takeover of
remnants of Merovingian kingdom
Reciprocal relationship: Carolingians
protects Church from the East/Church
legitimizes dynasty
Give lands surrounding Rome to the Church
Charlemagne (742-814 C.E.)
Solidifies relationship with the Church
Crowned head of (new) Holy Roman Empire
Christmas Day, 800AD
Charlemagne
Increases Frankish realm - extends domain
in name of Christianity
Forces Eastern Empire to
recognize authority in west
- though no takeover
Had strong indirect control over Church restored Pope after capture
Governs in the Carolingian way - 250
Counts from aristocracy
Charlemagne
Large-extroverted-practical joker
Expected loyalty - taxes collected justice dispensed
Occasionally resorted
to divine justice
“trial by ordeal”
Builds large palace
at Aix-la-Chapelle
(Aachen)
Carolingian Renaissance
Charlemagne used resources taken from
conquered tribes to attract scholars
Aix-la-Chapelle became center of learning
Preserved Roman writings in easier to read
Carolingian script
Served as vehicle to train bureaucrats
Breakup of Carolingian Dynasty
Charlemagne’s son Louis the Pious inherits
Without talented leader, empire unmanageable
Louis the Pious sons’
demand empire divided
Lothar
Louis the German
Pepin/Charles
Kingdoms devolve but
Holy Roman Empire remains
Feudalism & Manorialism
Definition
Vocabulary
Vassalage
Knights
Workers
Feudal Contract
Manorialism
Feudalism
System of agriculture that bound workers
(serfs) to owners of the land (lords)
Feudalism
Serf/peasant - farm worker
Lord - owner of feudal estate
Manor - farm/estate including local shops
fiefdom - estate or domain of a feudal lord
Fealty - loyalty sworn to lord
Vassal - one who swears loyalty to lord
Liege - lord to which one is most loyal
Vagabond - escaped serf who roamed
Vassalage
Hierarchy of vassalage
King - duke/baron - serf
Knights serve lord of
the manor
Serfs might be required
to fight also
Some lords vassals to
more than one superior
WHY WAS FEUDALISM NECESSARY?
Did feudalism bring about stability in Medieval
Europe or was it a political and social disaster?
Relationship Between
Lords and Vassals
The relationship between lords and
vassals made up a big part of the
political and social structure of the
feudal system
Vassals had certain duties to
perform for the lord
All nobles were ultimately vassals
of the king.
What is a Knight?
Almost all nobles were
knights
Training began at age 7, as
a page, under the guidance
of the lady of the manor
Became squires at age 15
and were trained by other
knights
Those deemed worthy
were “dubbed” knights
Chivalry - System of rules
that dictates knights’
behavior towards others.
Does Chivalry Have an Effect?
Did improve the lifestyle of
the early feudal lords
However…Knights only
required to act courteously
toward those of his own
class.
Those of a lower class were
free game
Coat of Arms
System of Identity among Medieval Knights
Meaning belongs to:
Colors
Symbols
Helmet
Motto
Example
Gold=Generosity
Red=Warrior
Helmet=Protector
Cat=Liberty &
Courage
Dragon=Valor and
Protection
Workers on the Manor
There were two groups of peasant workers
on the manor
Freemen- skilled workers who paid rent and
could leave the manor whenever they
wished. (They usually had a skill needed by
others on the manor.)
Serfs – workers bound to the land by
contract with the nobles. (They had no
freedom - they where the noble’s property.)
Characteristics of Feudalism
Serfs bound to the land - multigenerational
Levels of serfdom
free serfs - some rights,
had some bargaining power
(small landowners)
servile serfs - no rights,
needed permission for
marriage, travel, etc.
Feudal Contract
LORDS
GIVE
SERVICE
TO
GIVE
PROTECTION
TO
VASSALS
Why did Feudalism work?
Lords needed stable workforce for land
Serfs needed a job and protection
Periodic waves of invaders threatened safety of
the landless - 1000 CE new wave of Vikings,
Magyars, and Muslims
Crusades were partly an excuse to give the knights
something to do
Lords traded use of land for share of crop
Small landowners trade also with lords
Necessary antecedent for Nation-States
•Economic system around a lord’s manor
•Manor included a village and the land
surrounding it
•Each group in society had their own job and
responsibility to fulfill
•Self-sufficient
Changes in Agriculture
Climate improves in Europe - 700-1200 CE
temperature rises 1 degree centigrade
Moldboard plow allows deeper penetration
3 field crop rotation system used
Padded collars for horses
Harness of water power for mills
Wheelbarrow developed
Family Life in the Middle Ages
How did the structure of family life change from
Roman Empire times through the Middle Ages?
What accounted for these changes?
Roman Empire
Middle Ages
Description of
family life
details
details
Influences on
family life
details
details
Family Life
Roman times
Middle Ages
•How did the structure of family life change from
Roman Empire times through the Middle Ages?
•What accounted for these changes?
Western Europe during
the
Middle Ages: Emerging
Monarchs
France, England, Germany and Spain
France – the Franks
Clovis I (481-511)
Charles Martel (688 –741)
Charlemagne (742-814 C.E.)
Philip II “Augustus” (1190-1223) - Expanded the
kingdom of France by taking Normandy, Anjou,
& Touraine from the British.
Louis IX “St. Louis” (1226-1270) - He convinced
his subjects that the monarchy was essential to
their happiness & well-being – beginning of
absolutism
Philip IV “the Fair” (1300s)
Established the Estates General (a feudal council
which could advise the king while also pledging
loyalty & submission).
As noted in “Prominent Popes” Philip IV also
defied & arrested the Pope.
A French papacy was established at Avignon
which remained under French control from 13051377.
England
William I “the Conqueror” (Duke of
Normandy) ca. 1028-1087
Defeated the Celts, Angles, Saxons & Jutes
in England at the Battle of Hastings (1066)
He thus united England & laid the
foundations for a sovereign nation-state.
THIS BRINGS FEUDALISM TO
ENGLAND ALL AT ONCE. HOW IS
THIS DIFFERENCE FROM THE REST
OF EUROPE’S EXPERIENCE?
“Domesday Book”
William I compiled
the “Domesday Book”
in 1086 which
surveyed the people of
England.
He thereby contributed
still further to the
unification of
England.
Henry II of England (1154-1189)
Married Eleanor of Acquitaine & thereby
extended the territory of England to include land
in “France”.
He also established a Court system which
enforced a common set of laws.
His style & energy were models for future
monarchs.
Henry II
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Thomas a Becket
Was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by King
Henry II.
Although this is an example of “lay investiture,”
Thomas a Becket pledged his first loyalty to the
Pope.
As a result of this power struggle
Thomas a Becket was eventually
killed, but he was also forever
admired.
King John of England 1166-1216
Known in the Robin Hood tale
Was forced by nobles to sign
the Magna Carta (1215).
This document limited the
King’s power by insisting that
he consult with the Nobles
before raising taxes and/or
waging war.
It marks the beginning of
England’s “democratic
tradition.”
Parliament (1265)
A British institution that
provides for elected
representation of the people in
government.
It is another example of
England’s evolving Democratic
Tradition.
Parliament consists of a House
of Lords (Nobles) & a House of
Commons.
Gradually the House of
Commons became the most
powerful.
The “100 Years War” 1337-1453
The “100 Years War” was
fought between England
& France.
Main period of fighting.
Treaty not signed till later.
The most important cause
was over territory in
“France.”
Under the leadership of
Joan of Arc, France
eventually won and
England forever gave up
claims to “French”
territory.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc led
French troops to
victory in the 100
years war.
She was later
captured by the
British & burned to
death as a witch.
Treaty to conclude the 100 yrs
War in 1475
100 YRS War basically ended kings reliance on feudal armies
“Germany”
Remained fragmented
throughout the medieval period
and would not be united as a
sovereign nation-state until
1870.
At the time of Charlemagne
much of “Germany” had been
part of the “Holy Roman
Empire,” but after
Charlemagne’s death the HRE
was split into 3 parts.
Still remained roughly allegiant
to the Holy Roman Emperor.
“Germany”
Two of Medieval
Germany’s most
prominent kings were:
Frederick I
“Barbarosa” 11521190
Frederick II, 12121250.
E190Germ/ItMAP
Medieval Italy
During the Middle Ages Italy basically
consisted of 3 parts:
North: Powerful & wealthy city-states
such as Florence, Genoa & Venice competed
with Muslims & Byzantines for trade with Asia.
Central: Papal States.
South: Kingdom of the two Sicilies.
Italy would not be united until 1870.
Medieval Spain
Muslims conquered Spain in the 700s but Spanish
leaders fought the Reconquista (1065-1500) &
eventually drove the Muslims out.
Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile
and together they completed the Reconquista;
Ferdinand & Isabella united all of Spain
Led the Age of Exploration (late 1400s).
Isabella & Ferdinand of Spain
Reasons for the Decline of
Feudalism in Medieval Europe
The Bubonic plague (Black Death) caused a 30%
decline in European population.
Rise of towns: People found economic
opportunities beyond the manors.
The Crusades provided opportunities for people to
leave the manors.
100 Years Wars and other wars rallied allegiance
to central rulers.
Emerging monarchs (powerful, centralized
authority) replaced feudal lords.
End
Finally!