The Early Middle Ages

From the fall of Rome to the Crusades

Western Empire Falls

410 – Alaric and his Visigoths capture and sack Rome

476 – Odoacer and Visigoths return – capture Rome and last Roman Emperor gives up his throne. True end of the Western Empire.

Barbarians pretty much

had free reign in Western

Europe

Central authority

had disappeared with the fall

of Rome.

Infrastructure – roads, bridges, aqueducts, etc. fell into state of

disrepair

The various Germanic tribes that had destroyed the Empire established their kingdoms

throughout Western Europe

The Barbarian Kingdoms began to unite into larger kingdoms that formed the basis for the

countries that later grew up in Europe

Germanic Society-Germanic tribes were rural-People were mostly peasants who worked the land-Cities declined – commerce began to disappear – almost no currency (money) in circulation-Most land in hands of old Roman families or main Germanic families-Monasteries owned much land – donated in exchange for prayers said by monks-Germanic tribes began to adopt some old Roman institutions-More and more Germanic tribes began to convert to Christianity

Growth of monastic movement & monasteries

Benedictine Rules

Rules for Monks and monastic lifeWhen to workWhen to prayRule of silenceRule of CelibacyRules of Behavior

Monasteries were built all through Western Europe

The Church was strengthened when Clovis, the King of the Franks – the largest tribe in Western Europe – was baptized and became a Christian

Monks could read and write

They spent time copying books as well as the BibleThey also ran schools to teach the children of nobles

Monasteries served as hospitals and inns for the few people who traveled

The Catholic Church replaced

the Roman Empire as the only central authority in

Western Europe – Church

brought stability to Europe…but not

security from everything

Islamic armies spread across North Africa and into Spain – defeating all

before them

They were finally turned back at the Battle of Tours by Charles Martel – “The Hammer.” The

Battle of Tours was a major turning point in history of the western world

By the end of the 8th Century, Charles the Great (Charlemagne) united much of

Western Europe into The Holy Roman Empire

After Charlemagne’s death, his empire was divided among his three

sons.

Along with the Viking raids, Europe was invaded by the Magyars and suffered through raids by Islamic pirates on cities and towns in

Italy and southern France

9th Century: A New Threat to the Stability of Western

Europe

The Vikings

Commerce was virtually non-existent during the Early Middle Ages for a number of reasons.

The Church had rules that stifled commerce.

Usury was not permitted – Usury meant you could not charge ANY interest on a loan.

Profit was also forbidden. It was a violation of Church rules to make a profit from business dealings

Based on these rules, there was no incentive for people to engage in commerce

of any kind.

After the fall of Rome, Western Europe entered a period of_____

This king of the Franks converted to Christianity and spread Christianity to other barbarian tribes.

These people from the Middle East captured Spain in the 8th Century.

These places became the centers for learning in

Europe in the Dark Ages

He was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope on Christmas Day in 800CE.

He established the rules for Monks and monasteries.

These invaders and raiders came from the north and destroyed even monasteries starting in the 9th century.This battle was a turning point in European history because it turned back the Islamic invaders.Was the Germanic society urban or rural in nature?

ANARCHY

CLOVIS

MUSLIMS

MONASTERIES

CHARLEMAGNE

ST. BENEDICT

THE VIKINGS

BATTLE OF TOURS

RURAL

Seeking security from invaders and

bandits, Europeans turned to a new way of

living, the Manor

System and Feudalism.

The Manor was self-c0ntained and self-sufficient. Very little was needed from the outside world.

Very few reasons to establish contact with the outside world.

Manor houses grew into small castles – then into larger castles – with walls and moats and battlements.

Serfs took refuge in the castle when the

Manor was attacked

Feudalism: a social and political system based upon holding land in

fief and resulting homage, fealty, loyalty,

and duty to provide mutual protection

Here’s how it worked:

A Lord (it could be a King, a Lord or an Abbott) would grant a tract of land to a noble. The grant was called a FIEF.

The Noble would now be the VASSAL of the Lord. In return for the fief he pledged LOYALTY and FEALTY to the Lord. Also, a portion of his income would go to the Lord as taxes AND, in the event of war, he and his knights would fight in defense of the Lord.The Noble would then grant land (a fief) to his knights. In return, each knight would pledge LOYALTY and FEALTY to the Noble. Also, a portion of his income would go to the Noble as taxes AND, in the event of war, he and his knights would fight in defense of the Noble and the Noble’s Lord.The most numerous class were the SERFS. They worked the land, paid taxes with a portion of their crops, and though not slaves, they were bound to the land and could not leave without their Lord’s permission.

The system worked

Even though there still was almost no trade and commerce,

Even though there was almost no interaction between people in

manors and villages,Even though there were almost no advances in education, art,

culture, or science,

Feudalism and Manorialism brought a feeling of security and safety to Western Europe for around 300

years.

Another system developed during the Middle Ages that impacted on

the lives of the Nobility

Chivalry

Chivalry was more than courtesy. It also involved training for war and

fighting bravely.

Why was it not necessary for people to leave the Manor?

Who was responsible for running the Manor in the Lord’s absence?

Were the serfs slaves owned by the Lord of the Manor?

What was Chivalry?

Why was Feudalism successful? What role did the system play in Western Europe?What did the vassal owe to his Lord in return for the fief he was granted by the Lord/King?

The Manor was a self contained unit. It provided almost everything its residents needed

His wife – or the Lady of the Manor.

No. They were not slaves, but

they were tied to the land and

could not leave w/o permission.

A code of behavior and honor and courtesy, etc.

It provided structure, stability

and protection

A portion of his income as taxes,

loyalty and service in time of war, and a place to stay when

visiting.