JournalDuring the Middle Ages, there was a code of conduct called Chivalry. What do you think of when you hear this word? What does it mean to you?

The Early Middle Ages:The Franks & Feudalism

Or..were the Dark Ages really a dark as they seemed?

Who sacked the city of Rome?

The Franks• In the Roman province of Gaul (France)• No cities or written laws

– 100s of tiny kingdoms– Farmers or herders

• Swore loyalty to King – weapons & loot

Clovis• Converts to Christianity after

a battle• Church supports Clovis’s

conquests• by 511 AD—united all of the

Franks into one kingdom• Two forces were now allied

1. Military (Franks) 2. Spiritual (Church)

Charles Martel• extended Frank’s reign to the north,

south, and east• defeated Muslims at the Battle of

Tours – Stopped the Muslim expansion into W.

Europe– becomes a Christian hero

Pepin the Short• son of Charles Martel• Fights the Lombards for the Church• pope declares him “king by the

Grace of God”• this begins the Carolingian

Dynasty

Charlemagne • Greatest European empire since Rome• Summer military campaigns

– Muslims in Spain and Germanic tribes• Spread Christianity by conquering the

east and south• Holy Roman Emperor

– joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman Empire

Charlemagne’s EmpireIncluded 2/3 of Italy, all of France, a small part of Spain, and Germany

Charlemagne Cnt. • Limits rule of the nobles• Visits whole kingdom • Increases Education

– Irish, English, German, Italian, and Spanish scholars

– school for court children• Monasteries—trained monks

– expanded libraries– handwritten copies of books

After Charlemagne • Grandsons split empire• Magyars—900 AD, cavalry

from Hungary invade• Vikings—From Scandinavia,

sailors – Raided and looted from Ireland

to France

What is Feudalism?• Social Structure of the Middle Ages• Based on loyalty and importance of the Oath• Keep these words in mind while you are watching

the film:– Manor– Lords– Vassals– Fief– Knights– Serf– Peasants– Self-Sufficiency

Feudalism

Social PyramidKing/Lord Vassal

Gives Land (fief)Power/authorityCollects Taxes

Loyalty Military service Taxes Manor Lord Serf

Gives Small land

Protection

Basic needs

Labor/taxes

Loyalty

Military service (sometimes)

King

Lords

Lesser Nobles, Knights

Serfs

Peasants

Dependent on each other: Relationships

The Manor System• Self-Sufficient

– All needs provided on estate

• Controlled by Lord – (who was

someone else’s Vassal)

– Remember:

Chivalry • Complex rules governing

society • Three Masters:

– Feudal Lord– Heavenly Lord– Chosen Lady

• Knights usually wealthy – Education starts at 7 till 21

• Tournaments, troubadours, poetry – Real warfare brutal

• Few women had authority