Transcript The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe

The Development of
Feudalism in Western Europe
Western Europe During the
Middle Ages
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Barbarians invade
Western Roman
Empire and set up
separate kingdoms
ruled by different
barbarian tribes.
Clovis defeats last
great Roman army
sets up kingdom in
France; helps lead
the Franks into
Christianity.
Conversion of Clovis
Western Europe During the Middle
Ages (continued)
Charlemagne
(Charles the Great)
unifies nearly all of
the Christian lands of
Europe into a single
empire.
► Charlemagne ruled
the Franks from 768
to 814 C.E.
► Charlemagne
rewarded knights
with land and
privileges in return
for military service.
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Western Europe During the Middle
Ages (continued)
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The Roman Catholic
Church’s pope
crowns Charlemagne
the Holy Roman
emperor in 800 C.E.
Charlemagne’s reign
brought a degree of
civilization to Europe
that had been
missing since the fall
of the Roman
Empire.
Western Europe During the Middle
Ages (continued)
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Vikings, Magyars,
and Muslims attack.
After Charlemagne’s
death, Europe
needed a way to
defend itself.
The system of
feudalism gradually
develops.
Feudalism was based
on the need for
protection.
Feudal Hierarchy
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Monarchs During Feudal
Times
Monarchs believed in
the divine rights of
kings.
Monarchs provided
protection.
Monarchs gave fiefs to
vassals in exchange for
loyalty and service.
The most important
quality in feudalism
was loyalty.
Dukes were below
kings in the feudal
hierarchy.
Monarchs During Feudal Times
(cont.)
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William the
Conqueror brings
feudalism to
England, after his
victory in the Battle
of Hastings in 1066.
Lords and Ladies During Feudal Times
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Nobles lived on
manors with castles
and moats.
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It was the lord’s
responsibility to
manage and defend
his manor and to act
as a judge.
Ladies were
responsible for
raising and training
their children and
overseeing the
household.
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Marriage
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Marriages were
usually to gain land
or property.
Marriages were often
arranged by parents.
Sometimes children
were only 4 or 5
years old when they
were married.
The bride’s family
would pay a dowry.
Unmarried women
were often forced
into convents.
Marriage (continued)
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Women and children were
the property of the
husband/father.
On certain days, the wife
was required to lie at the
husband’s feet and beg
forgiveness for anything she
had done or had failed to
do. The children would do
the same at their parents’
feet.
Child and wife beating were
common, although some
rules said that the beating
should be reasonable.
Knights
► Armored
knights were
mounted soldiers.
► The code of chivalry
was the set of rules of
behavior that all
knights were expected
to live by.
► At around age 7, a boy
would start training to
be a knight.
Peasants
Peasants did most of
the work but owned
very little.
► Most peasants were
farmers.
► Serfs were tied to
the land, and if one
lord took the land
from another, he got
the serfs too.
► The vast majority of
the population was
peasants.
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The Development of Feudalism in
Western Europe: Review
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Barbarians invade and set up kingdoms
Rome falls
Clovis defeats last great Roman army sets up
kingdom in France; helps lead the Franks into
Christianity.
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Charlemagne unifies nearly all of the Christian lands
of Europe into a single empire.
The Roman Catholic Church’s pope crowns
Charlemagne the Holy Roman emperor.
Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims attack. In response
the system of feudalism develops.
After his victory in the Battle of Hastings in 1066,
William the Conqueror brings feudalism to England.
Feudalism Review Continued
Feudalism was based on the need for protection.
► The most important quality in feudalism was
loyalty.
► Monarchs gave fiefs to vassals in exchange for
loyalty and service.
► Nobles lived on manors with castles and moats.
► Monarchs believed in the divine right of kings.
► Dukes were below kings in the feudal hierarchy.
► Knights wore armor and lived by a code of behavior
called chivalry.
► Peasants worked the land and had very little.
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An account of Clovis' conversion, provided by the
Christian church historian Gregory of Tours (c.539594) in his History of the Franks
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Clovis took to wife Clotilde, daughter of the king of the Burgundians
and a Christian. The queen unceasingly urged the king to
acknowledge the true God, and forsake idols. But he could not in any
wise be brought to believe until war broke out with the Alemanni. . . .
The two armies were in battle and there was great slaughter. Clovis'
army was near to utter destruction. He saw the danger . . . and raised
his eyes to heaven, saying: Jesus Christ, whom Clotilde declares to be
the son of the living God, who it is said givest aid to the oppressed
and victory to those who put their hopes in thee, I beseech thy . . .
aid. If thou shalt grant me victory over these enemies . . . I will
believe in thee and be baptized in thy name. For I have called upon
my gods, but . . . they are far removed from my aid. So I believe that
they have no power, for they do not succor those who serve them.
Now I call upon thee, and I long to believe in thee. . . . When he had
said these things, the Alemanni turned their backs and began to flee.
When they saw that their king was killed, they submitted to the sway
of Clovis, saying . . . Now we are thine.
Medieval Society
oratores: those who pray
bellatores: those who fight
laborares: those who work
Feudalism: Establishing Order