Charlemagne, Feudalism, and Chivalry

Europe After the Fall of Rome

The Franks

•Clovis•Converted the Franks to Christianity

•Charles Martel•Son of Pepin•Defeated the Muslims at Tours (732)

•Charlemagne•Grandson of Charles Martel•Holy Roman Empire

Feudalism•Developed in France after death of Charlemagne•Weak Kings•Land for service•William the Conqueror•Duke of Normandy•Claim to the English throne•Invasion•Battle of Hastings, 1066

Manor

Weaknesses•Complexity•Inherited fiefs•Money replaces loyalty•Faithless vassals•Misallocation of resources

AssessmentTHINK-PAIR-SHARE

• What do you think is the biggest strength and the biggest weakness of the feudal system?

• Discuss it with your partner…..• Write a paragraph saying what you think,

and why! Remember, this is not about what you know-it’s about what you think! What you come up with is less important than that you come up with something!

The Age of Chivalry

•Code of Chivalry: 3 Duties– The Duties to countrymen and fellow Christians: this contains virtues such

as mercy, courage, valor, fairness, protection of the weak and the poor, and the service of the knight to his lord.

– Duties to God: this would contain being faithful to God, protecting the innocent, being faithful to the church, being the champion of good against evil, being generous and obeying God above the feudal lord.

– Duties to women: this is probably the most familiar aspect of chivalry. This would contain what is often called courtly love, the idea that the knight is to serve a lady, and after her all other ladies. Most especially in this category is a general gentleness and graciousness to all women.

Code of Chivalry

Life of a Knight

• Knights• Noble Birth

• Training• Manners and customs (age 7)• Squires (age 14)• Knighthood (age 21)

• Tournaments• Quests• War• Myth vs. Reality

• King Arthur

• Courtly love• Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine1122-1204

•Ruler of Aquitaine•Queen of the Franks•Second Crusade

•Naval law•Trade agreements with Constantinople

•Henry•Queen of England

•Richard the Lionhearted•John

•Court of Love•Jury system

Your Personal Code of Chivalry

What would be a good code of chivalric behavior today? Make a list of at least FIVE principles that people should live by in your

world today!*

*Yes, this goes in your notebooks.