THE MIDDLE AGES

• How did the Middle Ages begin?• The fall of the Roman Empire led to no central Government• The Catholic Church emerged as the top social and political power• Rise in Feudalism• Byzantium survived as the center of classical culture in Eastern Europe

• Fall of the Roman Empire 476 A.D.• Barbarian tribes from North Europe

invade Roman lands• No central power in Western Europe• Trade declines because the Roman army

no longer protected the trade routes• Learning and technological advances are

disrupted

• Rise of the Catholic Church• It became the most powerful social and

political organization• People believed that the Church held the

power to send them to Heaven or Hell• Became very wealthy • Became the center of all learning in

Western Europe

Feudalism• Lords – local independent leaders

• Able to grant land, called a fief• Vassals – person who received a fief• Primogeniture – system of inheritance from father to son• Women - all property became husband’s property at marriage

• Warfare – private fights between feudal lords• Fought by Lords and their Knights• Fought for glory and wealth• Church forbade fighting near church grounds

• Provided some stability to the people’s lives after the fall of Rome

• Society was divided into classes • Kings: Supreme Ruler• Nobles & Clergy: Nobles served the

king with their Knights and armies• Knights: Protected the noble’s land,

served in his army• Serf/Peasants: Lowest class, farmed

the land of the nobles

Feudal Justice• Could be decided three ways:

• Trial by battle• Dual between accused and accuser

• Oath taking• Supported by people taking an oath of truth• Similar to character witnesses in trials

• Trial by ordeal• Accused would have to survive ordeal

• Hand in boiling oil, holding hot coals, submersion in freezing water

• Healing time determined guilt or innocence• Often used in witch-hunts

Manorial System• Manorial system shaped Europe’s economy

• Each manor was self-sufficient

• Lord shared land with peasants• Peasants/serfs led very difficult lives

• Worked land, gave their harvest to the noble • Could not leave the manor without permission• Rarely could afford meat• Life expectancy was very low• Suffered from starvation, disease, and constant warfare

• Manor consisted of the noble’s house surrounded by his lands• Included a church, mill, blacksmith, bakery• Peasants lived in the village

• Chivalry• Rules (or code) that dictated knights’ behavior

• Comes from word Cheval (“horse”)• Noble class• Began at age 7

• Became a knight’s “page” or assistant• Would learn manners and how to use and care for weapons

• Knight had to be courageous, loyal, well mannered