European Middle Ages & The Formation of Western Europe

How did invasions effect Western Europe? Disruption of Trade Downfall of Cities Population Shifts Decline in Learning

Invaders could not read or write

Loss of Common Language Latin was still official

language No longer understood

The Emergence of Germanic Tribes Small Germanic kingdoms replaced

Roman provinces Entire concept of government

changed Family ties and personal relationships

were more important than loyalty to the state

Roman province of Gaul Germanic people called Franks Led by Clovis Brought Christianity to region

German Adoption of Christianity Spread by political conquests and

Missionaries Church built monasteries (homes to

Monks) Monks gave up possessions and devoted

their lives to serving God Female version were nuns, they lived in

convents During this time, the Pope, Gregory

the Great, extended the pope’s role to the secular realm

Expansion of Gaul After Roman Empire dissolved, Gaul was one

of the largest former Roman provinces Franks still controlled Carolingian Dynasty began

771, Charlemagne began his reign Built an empire greater than any known since

ancient Rome Through his conquests, he spread Christianity Reunited western Europe Took power away from nobles and increased

power of royalty

Invaders Attack Western Europe Vikings

Struck very quickly, before locals could mount a defense

Arrived by water Magyars

Nomadic people from what is now Hungary Attacked isolated villages and monasteries

Muslims Attacked from Northern Africa Wished to conquer and settle Europe

Feudalism System of governing

and landholding Based on rights and

obligations In exchange for

protection, the lord granted land, called a fief, to vassals

King Wealthy nobles▪ Knights▪ Merchants

Landless peasants Serfs

Manors Lord’s estate Rested on relationship

between lord and serfs Lord provided serfs with

housing, farmland and protection

Serfs tended the lord’s land and cared for the animals

Serfs were bound to the land, but were not slaves because they could not be bought and sold

Who were the Knights? Soldiers mounted on horseback Protected empire The best knights were given land from their

lords they protected Knights could expect about 40 days of combat

a year Remainder was spent training

Expected to display courage in battle and loyalty to lord Chivalry: devoted to lord, God, and his chosen lady Protected the weak and poor

How were Knights trained? Began at age 7, as a

page for another lord At 14, he reached the

rank of squire, a servant to a knight

At 21, the squire could become a knight Traveled and fought in

local wars Took part in mock battles,

called tournaments▪ Fierce and bloody

competitions

Women’s Role in Feudal Society Wealthy could inherit

estates from husbands Would sometimes be the

military leader in the absence of husbands

Mostly confined to homes

Peasant women performed endless labor Household and Field

The Authority of the Church Power in the church was

based on status Pope in Rome headed the

Church All clergy fell under his

authority Stable force during period

of constant warfare and turmoil

All Christians were subject to canon law, or church law Could be excommunicated

if you didn’t follow

What problems existed within the Church?

Village priests married and had familiesAgainst Church rulings

Bishops sold positions in the ChurchKings appointed bishops

The Church is Reformed Restructured to

resemble a kingdom Pope re-established

his authority in Medieval Europe

Collected 1/10 of each family’s yearly income for tithes

Monks, nuns and friars traveled throughout Europe spreading the word of God

Gothic Cathedrals

New churches built across Europe

Built in Gothic style

Thrust upward as if reaching to heaven

Stained glass windows

Meant to inspire worshipper with magnificence of God

CrusadesWar to gain control over Holy Land

What were the goals of the Crusades?

Wished to reclaim Palestine

Reunite Christians Control of land Spread religion

What were the Spanish Crusades?

Reconquista=attempt to drive Muslims from Spain

Inquisition: Court held by the court to suppress the teachings of those who went against the Church

What were the effects of the Crusades? Chance for women to

manage affairs of home

Expanded trade for those that lived in Crusader states

Lessened power of Pope

Fall of Constantinople Legacy of bitterness

between Christians and Muslims

Changes in Medieval Soceity Growing food supply Revival of learning Growth of urban life Development of the

guild Organization of individuals

in the same business or occupation

Worked to improve economic and social conditions

Commercial revolution Expansion of trade and

business

Invasions in England

William the Conqueror Duke of Normandy

(France) Descendants of

the Vikings Claimed the

English throne and invaded the country

Secured his title in the Battle of Hastings

New English Government Common law

Rulings of English judges that become law Based on precedent

Magna Carta Limited the power of the King Gave power to nobles

Parliament Legislative group First composed of knights, bishops and lords

Great Schism

Disagreement in College of Cardinals over who should be the pope

One person chosen and a few months later another

With two popes, a split occurred in the church

Eventually resolved when both were forced to resign and a new pope was chosen

Papal authority was greatly weakened

The Bubonic Plague

Deadly disease Also known as black death Spread by rats who carried fleas

Fleas traveled from person to person Traveled along trade routes Reached every corner of Europe 2/3-3/4 of those who caught the

disease died 25 million died

What were the effects of the plague?

Populations fell Trade declined Prices rose Jews were blamed

for plague and massacred

Church suffered losses because “prayers were not heard”

The Hundred Years’ War Between England

and France Fought on and off

from 1337 to 1453 Eventually France

won Effects:

Nationalism increased French monarch’s

power increased Warfare changed▪ Longbow introduced

Joan of Arc

French Teenager Felt moved by God

to rescue France Went to battle in

the Hundred Years’ War

Led the siege of Orleans

Political trial Accused of

witchcraft and burned at stake