Download Western Europe / Japan Post Classical 600-1450

Feudalism
&
Medieval Politics
Western Europe / Japan
Post Classical
600-1450

900 year period beginning with the
decline of the Roman Empire until the
14th century C.E.

Divided into two periods:
I. Dark Ages (5th - 10th centuries)
II. Later Middle Ages (11th - 14th
centuries)


Germanic invasion finish the collapse of Roman Empire
 No obedience of Roman Law
 Hundreds of small kingdoms in constant warfare
Trade in W. Europe was dangerous
 Roman roads deteriorate
 Robbers and pirates made travel and trade dangerous
 Lack of sufficient markets
 Unemployment in cities; Urban decline
in population
 Urban to rural migration
 Money falls into disuse
 No means of collecting taxes

“Classical” schools of
thought close or are
destroyed

Arts , sciences, reading and
writing neglected/forgotten
– Reading and writing
forgotten*
– Culture not the concern
 Survival = focus of
daily life.
Feudalism
Monarchy: Kings,
Queens Prince/Princess
Clergy: Pope, Bishops,
Cardinals, Friars
Nobles: Vassals and
Lords
Knights,
Lesser Nobles
Peasant
(Serfs)

A king/queen or any royalty

The highest social rank
 Head of state.
 Ruled for life
 Granted through
hereditary.

Aristocratic rank traditionally hereditarily gained.
 Homage to upper nobles/lords
Public acknowledgment of allegiance
 Claims dominion over “a granted” portion of
land (fief)
Controls production and labor
Peasants (serfs) living
thereon.

A soldier of noble rank and sworn protectors for:
1. Monarchs
2. Nobles/Lords
3. Others

Sworn
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
to followed The Code of Chivalry:
Brave in battle
Loyalty to Monarch and God
Sacrifice for good
Be merciful and humble.
Be Courteous and gracious towards women

Made up 90% of the population in
Medieval Europe.

Serfs: A legal economic status
under Feudalism.
– Laborers bound to the land.

Formed the lowest social class of
the Feudal society.
Western
Europe
Political
Institutions
Social
Institutions
Eastern
Europe
Manorial System
No central authority
•
Emperor centralizing
authority
• supported by
bureaucracy.
Church = social and
political unifier.
• Pope = spiritual
head (strong
centralizing figure.
• Latin (only in hands
of religious
hierarchy)
•
Emperor and
patriarch are coheads of Church.
•
Greek is the
language of Church.
•
•
•
AP World: Post
Classical Era
THE ATLANTIC WORLD:
VIKINGS AND FRANKS

From 8th-12th Centuries
– Norwegians, Swedes, Danes

Viking Raids
– Legendary for ferocity and cruelty.
 “Never before had such a terror
appeared in Britain…” Alcuin 793AD
– Love of adventure was major part of Viking
culture

If a male aged 50 had not yet embarked on a
saga, his life was viewed as fruitless.
Long heroic stories combing
mythology and fact:
– Erik the Red’s Saga
– Greenlander’s Saga
 Originate from oral history
 Viking explorations to N.
America
 Erik the Red
 Leif Eriksson (1000 CE)
– 500 Years before Columbus
– Settlements do not last (reason
unknown)



835 C.E. Britain invaded by the Vikings
 “Norsemen”, “Northmen” - Normans
1016 C.E. – Canute (English King)
Fostered urban development
 Eventual Assimilation
 Established Dublin, Kingdom of York
Battle of Hastings 1066
William “The Conqueror” - Norman
King (England).
Post Classical Era
in Far East
Japanese Feudalism

While geographically isolated, Japan will develop
similar feudal system.

Clans- mutual cooperation / competition
600- Yamato clan (emperors) – fails
750 – Fujiwara clan (China) – hereditary
hierarchy and feudal structure:
China – model of empire building

Emperor – largely figurehead

Daimyo/Shogun(ate)

Samurai

Peasants

Merchants

Genin (landless laborers)
Similar:
Different:
I.
Code of Conduct
(Chivalry / Bushido)
I.
Role of the arts/
learning
II.
Hierarchies with Nobility
at top levels
II.
Absence of religious
oversight in Japan
III.
Agriculturally based
III.
Japan homogenous and
linked culturally
IV.
Western Europe
developed a variety of
cultures and languages
a. depending on
geographic location.