Early Medieval Europe & Medieval Christianity

Effect of Fall of Rome in the West

• Growth of Individual Kingdoms in West, especially Frankish Kingdom– Merovingians: Clovis becomes

Christian(495)– Lombards threaten papacy – Carolingians (Charles Martel, Pepin,

Charlemagne)• Continuation of Byzantine Kingdom in East– Relations with Eastern empire & church

• Development of Roman church as key institution– Provided unity, ongoing Arian troubles– Split with the East

Charlemagne

“The Empire” and After

Impact of Rome’s Fall in the WestCharles, King of the Franks

Pepin III splits kingdom between sons, Charles and Carloman in 768

Charles sole king after 771Charlemagne and “The Empire”– Personality– Expansion– Impact

Coronation of Charlemagne, 800

Charlemagne’s Empire (to 814)

Charlemagne & “The Empire”

Charlemagne (768-814)– Expands kingdom of the Franks

• Succession, wars against Saracens, Saxons

– Christmas 800, declared Emperor by pope– Difficulties Managing Empire

• Counts (comites or companions)– Duties: do justice, protect royal domains, raise army

• Vassi, noblemen with a personal bond to king• Missi dominici

– Usually two: one lay noble, one bishop– Duties: supervise counts, distribute capitularies

Carolingian Renaissance

• Relations with the Christian Church– Education, cathedral schools–Monastic reform• Royal monasteries• Alcuin, education• Greek philosophy, John Scotus Erigena

The Empire after Charlemagne

Louis the Pious (814–840)– Partible inheritance: four sons– Salic Law

Treaty of Verdun (843)– Recognizes Lothar as Emperor– Splits Empire into Thirds

Treaty of Mersen (870)– Divides Empire in Two

Treaty of Verdun (843)

Post Mersen DisorderNobles within empire press for local autonomyRaids by Vikings, Magyars, and Saracens

require quick response, counts become hereditary

Capitulary of Quierzy, 877Carolingians die out: In France Hugh Capet becomes king (988) est.

dynasty, lasts until 1328 (Capetians)In Germany, Otto I (936-973) establishes Saxon

Dynasty (Ottonians)Otto II (973-983)Otto III (983-1002)

Feudalism

Feudalism was a medieval contractual relationship among the European upper classes by which a lord granted land (a fief) to his man (a vassal) in return for military service.

Vasslage bound the lord and vassal together

– Oath of fealty

– Hommage

–Mutual duties and obligations

ManorialismManorialism refers to a system whereby

the land (or manor) owned by the lord was parceled out to individual peasants who farmed it.

In return for the land, peasants made payments to the lord in the form of money, crops, and labor services.

Manorialism established a social and political order that paralleled feudalism.

Origins of Manorialism (ca. 4th century)

All over Europe, the economy had reverted primarily to subsistence farming .

Allods, land freely held, thus allodial farming.

Small farmers found themselves increasingly forced to seek the protection of more powerful neighbors.

In return for this protection, farmers gave up certain rights and a portion of their income to their more powerful neighbors .

Thus, freeholders often became serfs for protection from outside threats.

Anglo-Saxon Kingdom

• England divided into several kingdoms:– Northumbria– Mecia– Wessex

• Political traditions based on personal bonds rather than office– Thegns or liegemen,

Earls– Shire reeves– Hundreds

William “The Bastard,” 1066Battle of Hastings

Duke of NormandySuccessful Feudal Leadership1066 Defeats Harold Godwinson at HastingsAdapts Feudalism to English settingDomesday Book (a register for taxation)

Rise of New States

England– Norman overlords, Saxon population– Unified political organization– Church and State conflict

• Criminous Clerks

France– Small area of direct royal control, Île de

France– Diverse legal and cultural territories– Weak central monarchy, strong vassals