Europe’s Early Middle Ages

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Hist.umn.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800

The Early Middle Age in Western Europe was referred to as a Dark Age, why?

There was no definitive central government

Constantinople—Roman Empire moved east in 330 A.D. Rome was no longer Roman.

NomadicGerman Tribes—They founded kingdoms in Italy, Gaul (France), Spain and Britain.

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Nomadic German Tribal Society

They had a rich oral tradition no books.They stressed tribal loyalty and bravery in

battle.

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

Loyalty was given to the chieftain , there was no central government. The chieftain could

divide up their lands and will them to their sons.

During Roman times the main feature was a centralized government.

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

Accordingly, each tribe had its own laws, and customs which varied from tribe to tribe.

However, Roman law was written down and applied to all citizens especially after 287 B.C.

(remember tribal Assembly). Roman judges investigated evidence and demanded proof.

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

German law (Salic, Latin leges barbarorum) generally had three components

1. Compurgation2. Trial by Ordeal

3. Trial by Combat

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

Compurgation

A person was required to swear an oath that he/she were innocent. Compurgators swore an

oath of innocence, if guilty the compurgators suffered the same fate.

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

Trial by Ordeal

Defendant was thrown into the river, if they sank=innocent

float=guilty

Early Middle Ages 500-800

German Tribal Government

Trial by Combat

Plaintiff and defendant were allowed to choose people to represent them

Early Middle Ages 500-800

How did European society change after the fall of the Roman Empire?

Language

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Rural society

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Change in Authority

Early Middle Ages 500-800 Hist.umn.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Charlemagne’s coronation

Akg-prints.com Friedrich Kaulbach

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Charlemagne’s Coronation

Issu.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Charlemagne’s Capital at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle)Faculty.cua.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Charlemagne’s Capital at Aachen

Faculty.cua.edu Ihome.cuhk.edu.hkHist.umn.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Interior of Aachen

Charlemagne began building his Palatine Chapel (palace chapel) in 786 AD.

The Palatine Chapel was designed by Odo of Metz. He based it on the Byzantine church of San Vitale (completed 547 AD) in Ravenna, Italy. This accounts for the very eastern feel to the chapel, with its octagonal shape, striped arches, marble floor, golden mosaics, and ambulatory. It was consecrated in 805 to serve as the imperial church.

When Charlemagne died in 814, he was buried in the chapel's choir.

In 1168, Barbarossa provided a bronze chandelier to hang over the shrine, which still remains today. Faculty.cua.edu

Early Middle Ages 500-800Interior of Aachen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l31Pp20pUQ

Early Middle Ages 500-800Interior of Aachen

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/aachen-cathedral

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Early Middle Ages 500-800

Charlemagne’s Empire hist.umn.edu

Middle Ages 800-1200

Treaty of Verdun 843

Thenagain.info

Middle Ages 800-1200

Treaty of Verdun 843Louis the Pious (r. 814-840) Charlemagne’s son followed the Germanic tradition of dividing up the empire (gavelkind). They split the empire between his three sons.

Lothair I the eldest son of Louis the Pious received eastern France, northern Italy.

Charles the Bald received western France and

Louis the German received Germany and Austria

This only further weakened the empire and made it vulnerable to attack.

Middle Ages 800-1200“Holy” [Roman] Empire?

Henry I ruled from 918 to 935 and was the first of a line of Saxon kings that governed till 1024.

Otto I the Great (936 - 973) was the most important of the Saxon kings in that he decisively defeated the Magyars in 955 at the Battle of Lechfield.

Otto extended his influence into northern Italy and came to Rome in 962 where he was crowned Emperor by Pope John XII (955 - 964). He was granted the title which Charlemagne and the Carolingian rulers had held but which had fallen into disuse after 925.

Since he was crowned emperor in Rome by the pope, the name Holy Roman Empire was applied to the realms which he ruled.

Many date the Holy Roman Empire from this coronation in 962.http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/holy_roman_empire.htm

Middle Ages 800-1200

Critics have pointed out that this kingdom certainly was not holy, was not Roman (it wasessentially a German kingdom), and was not anempire (it was a collection of tribal duchiesbarely held together by the king and, now, emperor).

Middle Ages 800-1200

Lay Investiture

What is it?

The appointment of bishops and other church officials by feudal lords.

Middle Ages 800-1200

Lay Investiture

The Investiture Ceremony made the priest’s appointment official. Some of the items for the

ceremony are listed below:

Signet RingCrozierGlebe

Pallium

Middle Ages 800-1200

Signet Ring

Represents his (bishop’s, archbishop’s) authority to act legally for his territory (diocese/archdiocese).

TheRomans.co.uk

Middle Ages 800-1200

Crozier

A staff similar to a shepherd’s crook. It signified his spiritual leadership of the people in the diocese.

Churchsupplies.com

Middle Ages 800-1200

Glebe

A lump of dirt. It symbolized his possession and ownership of the land.

Sprinklerwarehouse.com

Middle Ages 800-1200

Pallium

A white stole to hang around his neck. It indicated that he was in a long line of spiritual teaching and leadership.

Newliturgicalmovement.org

Middle Ages 800-1200

Monarch’s Perspective

The monarchs protected the lands owned by the church. So, they believed they had a right to install church officials. Laymen took part in the ceremony to invest the candidate with some or

all the insignia of his office.

Middle Ages 800-1200

Emperor Henry III (1039-1056) believed that his authority extended to the pope as well.

Henry IV (1056-1106) also believed that he could involve himself in the church of his nation.

Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) issued the Papal Election Decree—only cardinals could elect the pope and the pope could elect cardinals, banned lay investiture in 1075.

Result Gregory VII excommunicates Henry IV and deposes him.

Middle Ages 800-1200Henry IV travels to meet Pope Gregory to reconcile in

1077.

Rudolf of Swabia takes his place for three years. By 1080, Pope Gregory declares Rudolf of Swabia the rightful king. Rudolf dies, Henry regains his thrown and deposes Pope Gregory in 1084 and selects a new pope.

Finally, How is this feud settled?

Middle Ages 800-1200

Concordat of Worms 1122

Middle Ages 800-1200

No, not Gummy Worms!

But it is pronounced Voorms, Henry V (r.1106-1125) and Pope Calixtus II (r. 1119-1124) came to a concordat or formal written agreement which stated:

1. Henry V would give up lay investiture and 2. The emperor could bestow symbols of territorial

and administrative jurisdiction

Middle Ages 800-1200

Feudalism and Manorialism

The Treaty of Verdun and the concept of gavelkind had a deep affect upon life in Europe.

Feudalism was primarily between and among the aristocracy. So, what was it?

Middle Ages 800-1200

Quid Pro QuoSomething given for something gained

It was a system of government which involved mutual obligations between a lord and a vassal.

Why was it happening?The Holy Roman Empire could neither exercise authority nor provide protection.

Middle Ages 800-1200

How did it work?

supplied him with a section of land for temporary use

lord vassal

The vassal swore an oath of fealty and aid to him in time of war

Middle Ages 800-1200

Who could become a knight?

A lord’s son at the age of

7 years—he became a page, a servant to run errands

14 years—he became a squire. A personal servant to a veteran knight

21 years he became a knight.

Middle Ages 800-1200

Manorialism or The Manor System

What is it?

It is an economic relationship between nobility and the peasantry

Middle Ages 800-1200

How did it work?

provided military protection and justice for his tenants

landowner serf

landowner granted the serf land (tenures) for tithes on crops

Middle Ages 800-1200

The Manor System

SERF

Not Chattel, no one owned him or her

Able to accumulate personal wealth Could not leave

without permission

Portion of harvest went to lord

Had to perform labor and services

on demand

Middle Ages 800-1200

Dark Ages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7CanyzhZg

Middle Ages 800-1200

Crusades 1096—1291

Quasi-military expeditions designed to free the Holy Land from the control of Muslim

influences.

Seljuk Turks seized the Holy Land between 1085 and 1095 which prevented Christian

pilgrims from going to Jerusalem. 3000 Christians pilgrims massacred.

Middle Ages 800-1200

Byzantine emperor Alexius Comnenus asks Pope Urban II for help in defeating the Turks.

Pope Urban’s objectives were to :--Restore Christian control of the Holy Land

--Redirect aggression of the lords and nobility and

--Reunite eastern and western churches.

Middle Ages 800-1200

First Crusade—1096

People’s Crusade mostly peasantsThe peasants followed a group of knights.

Freed Jerusalem in July 1099

Middle Ages 800-1200

Second Crusade 1147-1149

--Religious orders of knighthood--King Louis VII French emperor and Conrad III

of Germany invade Asia Minor and attack Damascus

Middle Ages 800-1200

Third Crusade 1189-1192

--Turkish general Saladin re-conquers Jerusalem.

--Richard-the-Lion-Hearted battles Saladin--Christians allowed to enter Jerusalem freely

Middle Ages 800-1200

Children’s Crusade 1212

--Children from France and Germany--Many died of hunger, cold and disease

Middle Ages 800-1200

Consequences of the Crusades

Many had a hope of gaining riches but it increased cultural diffusion between Christians and Muslims.

“Successful Failures”