Aim: How was Europe organized during the Middle Ages?

Do Now: While China, India, The Byzantines, and the Islamic Empires were experiencing a golden age, what was going on in Western Europe? For review, briefly describe what happened to western Europe at the end of the Roman Empire. What do you think a dark age is?

The Middle Ages Defined

• After the fall of Rome, Western Europe entered a period known as the Middle Ages, also known as The Medieval Period, which lasted from 500 – 1400 A.D.

500 B.C – 476 A.D The Roman Empire

The Middle Ages or Medieval Period

500-1400

The Renaissance (Rebirth) Begins around 1400

• In general, the Middle Ages are defined by a lack of central government, decline of trade, population shift to rural areas, decrease in learning, and a rise in the power of The Roman Catholic Church.

The Middle Ages Defined

The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social Organization of Medieval Europe

The Problem: You are one of many kings ruling various kingdoms in Western Europe during the Middle Ages. You are also the proud owner of large landholdings in your area. However, you are struggling to control the nobles in your kingdom who are fighting each other to expand their landholdings and increase their power (in turn, threatening yours). In addition, you are concerned about increasing barbarian attacks from the east. What can you do to create structure in your kingdom and ensure order?

Your Solution:

The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social Organization of Medieval Europe

King

Vassal (Lord)

Knights

Serfs and Peasants (90% of population)

Grant Fief (land)

Oath of loyalty/military support

Shelter/foodLoyalty/military

Shelter/foodAnd protection

Labor, rent

Feudalism

The Rise of Feudalism – Political and Social Organization of Medieval Europe

• Causes of Feudalism: After the fall of Rome, Western Europe was a scary place! With no strong, central government to raise a large army, there was no protection from invaders. The Feudal system emerged as a means to create social/political order and stability in society as well as to provide a system of protection

• The Role of Serfs: They were bound to the land. In other words, slaves.

• No social mobility! Your place in this feudal pyramid was determined by birth!

Medieval Social Structure

• Sometimes the manor system is referred to as manorialism.

• The manor was completely self sufficient meaning that everything that was needed was on the manor.

• Very little reason to leave or travel beyond your manor.

The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System

Serfs

Knights

• The self sufficient manor contributed to the decline of learning. No new ideas were exchanged. Technology was slow to progress.

• Little use of money. Wealth based on land.

The Manor System – The Medieval Economic System

Social Political Religious

• Strict social hierarchy

based on the feudal

pyramid.

• Social Status determined

by birth

• Lack of social Mobility

• Code of Chivalry

• Feudalism – Kings and

nobles exchange land for

loyalty and protection.

• Decentralized government

• People followed religious

Canon Law – Led by Pope

• Rise in the power of the

Pope and Roman Catholic Church

• Pope had power of

excommunication

Intellectual Technological Economic

• Decline in learning as population

shifts to rural areas

• Technology slow to

progress as exchange of

ideas declines.

• Manorialism

• Manor system – completely self-sufficient in that it had everything that was needed

• Little use of money

• Little to no trade

• Pay 10% tithe to church

• Most technology used for military

or farming – Crossbow, armor, longbow, siege weapons, early

guns, heavy plough, water and wind mills,

mechanical clocks, stirrups, hourglass, glass,

printing press

• Most people were illiterate

• Priests and monks could

read and write – wrote books, mostly

religious

Medieval Castles