The Middle Ages

Feudalism, Castles, Knights, & Promises

Medieval Europe

• The Fall of the Roman Empire brought many changes to Europe.

• The once unified empire divided into many regional kingdoms controlled by a nobleman or king.

Dark Ages, 500-900 AD

• Loss of Central Government

• Disruption of Trade- no government=no laws=unsafe to move goods

• Downfall of Cities- cities were no longer the center of government so people moved to rural areas to support themselves

Dark Ages, 500-900 AD

• Reasons it was “dark”

• Decline of learning-Germanic invaders could not read or write so the level of learning decreased

• Loss of Common Language-Latin mixed with Germanic languages to create the Romance Languages (Spanish, French, Italian, etc.)

Frankish Rulers

• 496 Clovis unites the Franks & converts to Christianity

• 732 Charles Martel defeats the Muslim Turks @ the Battle of Tours, Europe will remain Christian

• 800 Charlemange crowned Holy Roman Emperor (Western Europe) on Christmas Day by Pope Leo III

Holy Roman Empire

• Charlemange unites much of Western Europe

• Reintroduces the value & importance of education

• Revives the spirit & glory of the Roman Empire

• Links the power of European monarchs with the power of the Catholic Church

Social Structure

• King was at the top

• Nobility-any one related to any king or given a title by a king (clergy, knights, etc.)

• Peasants-Everyone else

Feudalism

• King owns ALL the land

• Land=power

• King grants land (fief) to allies (vassals/lords) who promise loyalty, military service, & ransom

• King promises to protect the vassals

• Vassals must protect the fief & peasants

• Peasants must work the land

Protection

• Lawlessness was the rule during the Middle Ages

• Might made right

• Noblemen built castles to protect the land & themselves from attacks