Christian Europe Emerges, 300-1200

Christian Europe Emerges, 300-1200Chapter 10Early Medieval EuropeThe loss of unity and order, as well as the breakup of allegiances between kings and nobles changed the landscape of Western Europe after the fall of RomeFamily-based law supplanted Roman laws and insecurities led communities to seek the protection of local strongmenFeudal systemBefore the fall of Rome, the East (Mediterranean) flourishedPopulation was high and economy was strongWestern Rome broke up into a handful of kingdoms in the 5th centuryRome lost political importancebishop of RomepopeLatin evolved and Europe had 3 linguistic zones:Romance languages (west and south)Germanic/Scandinavian languages (north)Slavic languages (east)

Muslims continued to invade Western EuropeMilitary effectiveness was key to the rapid emergence of the Carolingian familyCharlemagneIn 793 Vikings started attackingViking warriors descending from multi-oared dragon-prowed boats to pillage monasteries, villages, and towns.Settled Greenland, Iceland and VinlandVikings settled Normandy Major changes following the collapse of Rome:Cities became unpopulatedmarble buildings became dilapidated because of lack of money, laborers, and leadershipTrade languishedtrading areas were cut off and Western Europe became self sufficientEducation and civilized life disappearedlocal traditions flourishedDiets changedbeer, lard, bread and pork in the North v. wheat, wine and olive oil in the South

Manors became the primary centers of agricultural productionLife on the manor reflected ones personal statusthe Lord and his family exercised almost unlimited power over their serfsSerfs had to till their lords fields and were subject to other dues and obligationsThey were prohibited from leaving the manor where they were born

Feudal Society in which kings and lords gave land to vassals in return for sworn military supportMilitary security was a constant concern in most parts of EuropeThe rise of the mounted warrior on the battlefield is associated with the use of stirrupsA fief was a grant of land in return for a sworn oath to provide specified military serviceKings tended to be weak and dependent on their vassals The lords manor was the effective source of governance and justice in most areasNoblewomen had obligations as heiresses and candidates for marriageWomen could own land and some noblewomen administered their husbands landsWomen who were not noble usually worked alongside their husbands performing agricultural tasksstaking hay, shearing sheep, picking vegetables

The Western ChurchThe church was the sole institution claiming jurisdiction over large segments of Europes populationThe papacy helped unify and bring order to Western Europe The church hierarchy was intended to ensure consistency in Christian belief throughout the Christian communityTheir were many disagreements over Jesus relationship, the Trinity and the use of Mary and Jesus iconsThe most severe ecclesiastical authority arose in North Africa and resulted in the schisma formal division resulting from disagreements about doctrineThe common way of dealing with challenges to Christian unity was for a council of bishops to deliberate and declare a doctrine true or falseIn Western Europe, the pope needed allies and he found them in rulersHoly Roman EmperorTheir was a struggle over ecclesiastical appointmentsbishops appointed by secular rulers or the popeInvestiture controversy refers to the struggle to control ecclesiastical appointments and the conflict between popes and emperors Following the investiture controversy, Western Europe was heir to three legal traditions:Feudal lawCanon, or church, law based on Roman precedent with jurisdiction over Western ChristendomRoman lawMonasticism developed where monks and nuns lived in religious communities where they devoted themselves to prayerMonasteries were the primary centers of literacy and learning in the centuries following the decline of the Western EmpireCopying manuscripts and religious manuals were part of their religious callingIlluminated pages

The Byzantine Empire, 300-1200The Byzantine emperors represented the continuation of Roman imperial rule and traditionIt brought continuity to political, social and religious lifeThe Roman emperors retained many of the imperial traditions that disappeared in the WestIn contrast to the West, the Byzantine emperor appointed the patriarch of Constantinople and involved himself in doctrinal disputesThe Byzantine empire was torn for centuries over theological disputesreligious differences permeated societyPolytheism died fairly quicklyHaving a single ruler with supreme legal and religious authority prevented the break up of the Eastern EmpireIn many areas, barter replaced money transactions, cities declined in population and prosperity and the traditional class of local urban notables nearly disappeared A family-based military aristocracy developedWomen increasingly found themselves confined to the home by their husbands and social customsWhen they went out, they covered their faces behind veilsEconomically, emperors set prices, controlled grain provisions and monopolized tradeByzantium started to decline, but not until the Crusades did the Byzantines realize they were being surpassed by the WestLost valuable provinces, Constantinople was sacked during the 4th CrusadeCultural Achievements:Corpus Juris Civilisbasis for Civil LawHagia Sophiadomed cathedral