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The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe
PowerPoint #1
The Middle Ages
Three time periodsEarly Middle Ages 476-1000The High Middle Ages 1000 – 1300The Late Middle Ages 1300 - 1450
The Early Middle Ages
Began with the fall of the Roman Empire The Roman Empire had ruled much of
Europe for 500 years – barbarians controlled the rest of the continent
After the fall life was dangerous and difficultPeople had to work hard to have
enough to eatNeeded to protect themselves from
invaders
Feudalism
Many invading groups set up kingdoms and were often at war with one another
Resulted from the difficult living situations in Europe
Political system where people pledge their loyalty to a lord
Clovis
Franks were a powerful group that eventually took over a large part of Europe
Fought with knights in armor on horseback
Clovis was one of the first leaders
Was a successful warrior Became king of the Franks at age 15
in 481 Ruled for 30 years Widened the boundaries of the
Frankish kingdom
Clovis and Christianity
Married Clotilda a Catholic woman Was baptized in to the Roman
Catholic Church Many people also became Catholic
Charlemagne
Most important Frankish leader Ruled from 768 to 814 Was 6’4” tall (tall for the time) – stately
and dignified Could not read or could read very little Had scholarly works read to him
Encouraged education – made his court a center of culture
Rewarded knights with land and privileges
Unified nearly all the Christian lands of Europe
Was called “King Father of Europe”
Pope Leo III and Charlemagne
Charlemagne had the help of Pope Leo III Church was central part of society The blessing of the Church sent the
message to the people “God is on my side” Leo needed the support of someone with an
army Pope crowned Charlemagne the Holy
Roman Emperor in 800
Empire survived many barbarian attacks
Charlemagne died in 814 Empire fell apart Weak rulers could not hold off
invaders
Ninth and tenth Centuries
Western Europe was threatened by three groupsMuslims from the middle east and
northern AfricaMagyars – a central Asian people
from the eastVikings swept down from present day
Norway and Denmark
Vikings
Terrifying raids on towns and villages Came in shallow boats carrying
swords and axes Killed and took prisoners People of western Europe needed a
way to defend and protect themselves
Monarchs
Believed in the divine right of kings the idea that God had given them the right to rule
Some had to work hard to keep control
Most did not have enough money to keep their own army
In early middle ages the nobles or lords grew very powerful and governed as independent
Monarch was little more than a figurehead and had no real power
English Monarchs
Monarchs were quite strong in England during the Middle Ages
Vikings had invaded and settled in England
By mid 11th century, this area was ruled by a powerful Germanic group called the Saxons
The king was a descendant of both the Saxon and Norman (French) families
He died without an adult heir William, the powerful Duke of
Normandy (present day France) believed he had the right to rule
England crowned his cousin Harold In 1066 William invaded England and
defeated Harold in what is known as the battle of Hastings
A line of Norman Kings ruled England William became known as William the
conqueror Brought feudal institutions from Europe with
him
Lords
Rulers or powerful land owners In return people received protection
from the lord
Knights
Armed warriors who fought on behalf of their lord
Peasants
Worked the land Serf a peasant that was not free to
leave the Lord’s land
Establishing Order
By High Middle Ages feudalism provided the needed protection and safety and social order
People were bound to one another by pledges of loyalty
In theory all the land in the kingdom belonged to the monarch – king or queen
fiefs
Land granted by the kings to the most important lords who became his vassals
In return the lords promised to supply the king with knights
Manors
Large estates where lords and wealthier knights lived
Located in the country far from towns Included
castle or manor houseOne or more villagesSurrounding farmland
Peasants
Had to produce everything needed in the manor
Social Class
People were born into it Had same position and job as their
parents