The Middle Ages: The Rise of
Europe
Mr. Giesler
Global Studies
Topics To Be Examined
The Early Middle Ages
Feudalism and Manorialism
The Role of the Church
European Expansion
The Growth of England & France
Religious, Social, and Political
Crisis
Exactly who were these Barbarians? In Europe, the Germans dominated through tribes such as:
Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Franks, Gepids, Goths, Lombards and
Vandals. (Look familiar??)
They wandered across Europe in an incohesive manner.
These barbarian tribes destroyed many of the buildings and
works of art that survived from Roman times.
Many of the old arts and crafts of western Europe were destroyed
during the Dark Ages. During the Dark Ages, population decreased
and economic life became more primitive.
TTYN: What was their motivation?
Land and Revenge
Most Germanic (The Barbarians) were farmers of herders
Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was king of the Franks and Christian
emperor of the West.
The Age of Charlemagne
Carolingian Empire - named to protect the papacy and establish
the pope
and bishops are the makers of kings
Charlemagne became the first ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, a
dynasty that would last for more than 700 years
Timeline: 768-814
Government – More of an overseer than an autocratic dictator
Appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions; provided them
land in exchange for support and soldiers for his armies
missi domenici – officials working for Charlemagne that inspected
the nobles; to check on the infrastructure, listen to grievances, and
confirm that justice was done
“Let the missi make a diligent investigation Whenever any man claims that an injustice has been done to him by
anyone…And they shall administer the law fully and justly in the case of the holy churches of God and of the poor, of wards and of wisdom, and of the
whole people”
Feudalism and ManorialismKey terms
Fief - Land given by a lord in return for a vassal’s military service
and oath of loyalty
Serfs - Common peasants who worked the lords land
Tithe - tax that serfs paid (tax or rent)
Corvee - condition of unpaid labor by serfs (maintaining roads or
ditches on a manor)
Feudalism
TTYN: Describe Feudalism Relationship between those ranked in a chain of association (kings, vassals, lords, knights, serfs)
Feudalism: How it Evolved into an Economic, Social, Political System of Government
Invasions by Vikings, Muslims, Magyars prompted kings and
emperors to devise a system
Need to defend homes and lands
Vows taken
Small Group Activity Roll the clock back to the year 1176, create a vow (contract)
between you (king or emperor) and a noble or knight
“I promise on my faith that I will in future to
King William and will observe my (loyalty) to
him completely against all persons in
good faith and without deceit”
The king then touched the noble with a small rod. With that gesture, he granted the noble a parcel of land, including any towns, castles, or people on it.
Feudalism
Role of noble women Played an active role
“Lord of Manor” – while her husband or father was off fighting
Supervised vassals
managed the household
Inheritance limited (eldest son)
Chivalry Knights adopted a code of conduct
Required knights to be brave, loyal, and true to their word
Warfare – fight fairly and be generous to the enemy
Protect women and be cherished
Manorialism
The heart of the medieval economy
Manor = Lord’s estate
Most included one or more village
Peasants made up the majority of society
Peasants = Serfs - Common peasants who worked the lords land
Bound to the land…not slaves, but yet, not free
Mutual rights and responsibilities tied the lord and serf together
Peasants had to farm the lord’s land, make repairs, and paid the lord a
fee when they married, when they inherited their father’s acres, or when
they used the local mill to grind grain.
Usually paid with products such as grain, fruit, chickens, etc…
In return, peasants had the right to farm for themselves, protection, and
could not be forced off the land.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Other than the Muslims in Spain and groups of Jews, virtually
everyone else in Western Europe was a member of the Roman
Catholic Church.
Church teachings helped people accept the hardships of their life
on Earth.
People endured cruel lords, unjust laws, and poor living
conditions.
They believed that such hardships would earn them entry to
heaven. As a result, the Middle Ages was not a time
Responsibility of Church – spiritual needs; instruction; taught that
all men and women were sinners
Could achieve salvation or eternal life through faith in Jesus, good
works, and participation in sacraments
THREE-FIELD SYSTEMField 1 Field 2 Field 3
Year IWinter crop
Summer crop Fallow
Year II FallowWinter crop Summer
Year IIISummer crop Fallow
Winter crop
Year IVWinter crop
Summer crop Fallow
TWO-FIELD SYSTEMField 1 Field 2
Year I Winter crop Fallow
Year II Fallow Winter crop
Year III Winter crop Fallow
“A Horse is a Horse, of Course”
The Crusades
Pope Urban II calls the first Crusade.
1095-1291
After
Muslims(Seljuk
Turks) were
threatening the
Byzantine Empire
(Christians), Pope
Urban II calls for
Christians from
Western Europe to
protect the
Byzantine Empire
and to capture the
Holy Land from its
Muslim inhabitants
Motivation for the Crusades
The Holy Land was holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims (especially
Jerusalem)
Jerusalem, Place where Jesus was born and died
Religion played a large role in what people did and where they lived;
Jerusalem, was of particular importance because of its religious
significance
Why Jerusalem? Muslims were searching for adventure and riches
(mostly riches)
Fewer opportunities in feudal Europe
Initial result of this action: Hatred of Muslims
The name Crusade given to the Holy Wars came from old French
word 'crois' meaning 'cross'.
The first Crusade was the first and last victory for the Crusaders.
Christian victory during the first Crusade is largely due to the
inability of the Muslims to mount an organized defense