Download The Early Middle Ages Section 3

The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Crash Course
• The Dark Ages...How Dark Were They,
Really?: Crash Course World History #14 YouTube
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Charlemagne's Empire
• Chapter 13
• Section 1
• Pages 373-376
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Charlemagne’s Empire
Main Idea
Through conquest and social change, Charlemagne tied much of
western Europe together in a single empire.
Reading Focus
• How did Charlemagne and the Carolingians build the Frankish
empire?
• How did Charlemagne’s actions contribute to shaping a new
society?
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Building an Empire
Powerful Kingdom
• Crowning of Charlemagne a surprise, but not random decision
• His predecessors, the kings of the Franks, worked for 200 years to make
kingdom most powerful in Europe
Frankish Empire
• By 800s Franks ruled much of western, central Europe
• Leaders most influential in expansion of Franks all belonged to one family—
Charlemagne’s family, the Carolingians
Early Carolingians
• One of first Carolingians to gain power, Charlemagne’s grandfather
• Charles Martel, political adviser, war leader for Frankish king
• Led Frankish army in many crushing defeats of opponents, notably Muslims
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Pippin
• Charles’s son, Pippin III, also skilled leader; won many battles,
captured new lands for Franks
• Became first king of Carolingian dynasty, 751
• Upon death, 768, Pippin passed kingdom to son, ruler known today
as Charlemagne
Charlemagne’s Rise to Power
• Charlemagne, Old French for Charles the Great
• Name proved accurate, Charlemagne a great leader
• Historically considered one of most important leaders in European
history
• Foundation of success, his military power
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Military Power
Increased Kingdom
Pope Leo III
• Assembled army each year, led
into battle against a foe
• Recognized Charlemagne’s
skill, called on him for help
when Lombards attacked Papal
States, 774
• Incorporated land of
vanquished foe into his sphere
of influence, formed alliances
with local rulers
• In this way Charlemagne
increased size and power of
Carolingian kingdom
• Papal states, region in central
Italy under control of pope
• Franks defeated Lombards;
Charlemagne became king of
Lombards as well as Franks
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Helping the Pope
Another Cry for Help
A Pope’s Thanks
• Pope Leo III grateful for
Charlemagne’s help against
Lombards
• Pope Leo III thanked
Charlemagne by naming him
emperor of Roman people
• 799, called on Charlemagne
again when angry supporters of
previous pope ran Leo out of
Rome
• Title implied Charlemagne had
restored glory of Roman Empire
in Europe
• Charlemagne had Leo escorted
back to Rome, restored to
power
• Pope’s action suggested that
Charlemagne’s rule had
backing of church, God
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Charlemagne’s Rule
Powerful
• Charlemagne had tremendous power as emperor
• Empire large, not easy to rule; changes made government efficient, effective
• Established permanent capital at Aachen, in what is now Germany
Delegating Authority
• Built huge palace, cathedral to reflect own greatness
• Chose counts, officials to help rule parts of empire in his name
• Counts bound to obey, granted large tracts of land, given much authority
Oversight
• Inspectors kept tabs on Charlemagne’s counts
• Rewarded counts who did jobs well, punished those who did not
• Inspectors helped ensure counts remained loyal, empire was well run
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Aachen
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Summarize
How did Charlemagne turn his kingdom into
an empire?
Answer(s): strong warrior; restored the pope to
power; provided stability and order; barons helped
him rule
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
A New Society
Although Charlemagne is known mostly as a warrior and a political
leader, he also made sweeping changes to Frankish society.
Education
• Charlemagne personally
interested in learning, spent
much time studying
• Wanted leaders in empire to be
able to read, write
• Ordered churches,
monasteries to start schools
• Students learned:
– Religion
– Music
– Grammar
Scholars
• Noted European scholars
invited by Charlemagne to
Aachen
• Spent time teaching, as well
as studying, copying ancient
texts
• Sent copies of texts to
monasteries across Europe;
monks there made copies
• Saved many valuable works
for posterity
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Religion
• In addition to improving education, Charlemagne wanted to preserve,
spread Christian teachings
• Worked closely with church to create unified Christian empire
• Used force to accomplish, ordered those he conquered to convert to
Christianity under penalty of death
• Sent monks to live among conquered to help Christianity take root
Law
Great Heights
• Honored traditional laws of tribes
brought under his rule
• Western Europe reached great
heights under Charlemagne
• Most laws existed only in oral
tradition
• Empire did not survive long after
death in 814
• Had many tribal laws recorded
• Civil war wracked kingdom,
grandsons divided empire
• Allowed tribal legal codes to
maintain separate existence
• Empire weak, invaders poured in
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Find the Main Idea
How did Charlemagne change society in his
empire?
Answer(s): built an education system, preserved
ancient writings, expanded religion, developed
single law code
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
GROG 13-1
Using your notes, fill in the
interactive graphic organizer by
ranking Charlemagne’s
achievements in what you think
was their order of importance in
strengthening the empire
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
New Invaders
• Chapter 13
• Section 2
• Pages 378-381
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Bell Ringer 13-2
• Write a letter describing
Charlemagne’s coronation as
though you were a Roman who
witnessed the event. In your
letter, explain what happened and
why
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
New Invaders
Main Idea
Invasions and migrations changed the political and cultural
landscapes of western Europe during the early Middle Ages.
Reading Focus
• Why did many Europeans fear the Vikings?
• What made Magyar raids in eastern Europe so devastating to
people there?
• Why did Muslims raid towns in southern Europe?
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
The Vikings
The relative peace Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not
last long. Even before he died, invaders had begun nibbling at the
edges of his empire. Of all the invaders, the fiercest were the Vikings.
Origins of Vikings
Food Shortages
New Sources
• Vikings came from
northern Europe
• Though sea
provided plenty of
fish, soil not fertile
• Viking leaders
looked for new
sources of food,
wealth
• Lived in
Scandinavia
• Society rural,
agricultural
• Most worked as
fishers, farmers
• Farmers had
trouble growing
enough grain
• Food shortages
common problem
• Decided to take
what they needed
from others
• Viking raids began
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Viking Raids
Sailing Skills
• Vikings superb ship builders, sailors
• Ships capable of withstanding heavy ocean waves; crews as many as 100
• Skills at navigation allowed crossing great expanses of ocean
First Targets
• First targets of raids England, northern France
• Later Vikings began raiding places farther from homeland
• Even inland locations like Paris, Aachen unsafe
Little Time
• People lived in fear, had no warning that Vikings were coming
• Fast-moving ships approached target quickly
• Vikings killed, captured defenders; took what they could find, sailed away
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Favorite Targets
• Among favorite Viking targets, monasteries
• Monks not warriors, monasteries easy to plunder
• Fine treasures, jeweled crosses, golden candlesticks stolen
• Vikings not Christians, had no problems stealing religious items
Viking Settlements
• Not all Vikings who left Scandinavia raiders, some explorers
• One place settled by Vikings, Iceland; first arrived late 700s
• Viking society thrived there for centuries, longer than in Europe
• 982, Viking explorers reached Greenland
• 100 years later, Leif Eriksson reached North America
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Normandy
Viking warriors also settled in northern France
• Led by chief named Rollo, attacked France many times
• King of France made deal with Rollo
– Rollo to stop raids, defend Frankish lands against other Vikings
– King to give Rollo land
• Rollo accepted, area became known as Normandy, land
of Northmen
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Draw Conclusions
What made Viking raids so terrifying to
Christian Europe?
Answer(s): People did not know when they were
coming, so could not prepare; Viking raids were
brutal.
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
The Magyars
Nomads
Raids
• Vikings terrorized northern,
western Europe; Magyars
invaded from east
• Raided eastern France,
Germany, northern Italy,
western Byzantine Empire
• Magyars nomads from central
Asia who settled in what is now
Hungary
• Fierce warriors like Vikings
• Eventually gave up nomadic
ways, but lost battle advantage
of running from opposing
armies
• Not sailors, skilled riders who
outmaneuvered opponents on
horseback
• Mid-900s, German king Otto the
Great crushed Magyar army,
ending raids
• Planned raids carefully,
attacking smaller settlements
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Infer
Why were Magyar raids so difficult to stop?
Answer(s): They attacked small villages, were
excellent horsemen, able to outrun the opposing
army
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
The Muslims
Muslims first came to Europe in large numbers as conquerors.
Muslim Spain
• 711, Muslim army from North
Africa crossed Strait of
Gibraltar, conquered Spain
• Ruled Iberian Peninsula more
than 700 years, non nomadic
• Capital city, Cordoba, one of
wealthiest, most culturally
advanced cities of medieval
world
• Muslim Spain land of tolerance
• Many religions living together
in peace
France, Italy
• 732, Muslims swept into
France, stopped short by
Charles Martel,
Charlemagne’s grandfather
• 800s, 900s, Muslim leaders
ordered small, fast raids
against cities, towns in
southern France, Italy
• Raided Rome, destroyed
ancient churches
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Blocking Trade
Muslim fleets blocked Byzantine trade in
Mediterranean
• Muslim pirates looted ships, sold crews into
slavery
• Cut off Italy from trade with eastern allies
• Pope turned to Franks for protection
• Balance of power in western Europe shifted
because of this
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Make Generalizations
Why did Muslims launch small, fast raids
against Christian lands?
Answer(s): unable to achieve a full invasion of
Europe
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Grog 13-2
use the interactive graphic
organizer to list and describe the
peoples that invaded Europe
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
The Feudal System and
Manorial Systems
• Chapter 13
• Section 3
• Pages 382-386
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
Bell Ringer 13-4
Write a description of a Viking,
Magyar, or Muslim raid as
though you are an inhabitant of
the town being raided. Bring
your description to life by
choosing vivid adjectives to
describe the sights, sounds,
and emotions that surround you
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
The Feudal and Manorial Systems
Main Idea
In Europe during the Middle Ages, the feudal and manorial
systems governed life and required people to perform certain
duties and obligations.
Reading Focus
• What duties and obligations were central to the feudal system?
• How did the manorial system govern the medieval economy?
• What was daily life like for people on a manor?
Feudalism
• Why Feudalism?Invasion of groups like
Vikings, Magyar, and Muslims left king
unable to defend their lands and nobles
land from attack.
• Nobles must find a way to defend their
own lands.
• Build castles on
hilltops
How to solve this problem?
• Nobles would hire Knights to defend their
lands.
– Knights would provide military services
– Provide loyalty to lord
– Give an oath of Fealty.
– Diminished the power of kings
– Lords would give Knights
• Land treat fairly
• Protect if attacked
• Settle disputes
The Feudal System
• Based on rights & obligations
– In exchange for military & other services, a lord
(landowner) granted land (fief) to a vassal (person
receiving fief)
– Exchanging land for services is called the Feudal
system.
– This is a complicated system where very few
understood who their obligations were to.
The Feudal Pyramid
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
• What led to the Feudal
System ?
– Constant brutal fighting
amongst nobles
• What was Feudal System ?
– Political system in which
nobles were granted the use
of land that legally belonged
to the king
– In return, the nobles agreed
to give their loyalty and
military services to the king.
Reduce the number of people
who are loyal to king
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
• How did Feudal system diminish the
power of the king?
• What is the Noble?
• What is the Vassal?
• What is the Fief?
The Manorial System
• Economic Arrangement Between Lord & Serf
– In exchange for housing, land, and protection,
serfs had to perform tasks to maintain the
estate and pay several different kinds of taxes
– Were legally tied to the land
– Could not leave land, or marry w/o lords permission
– Serfdom was hereditary
– No opportunities to better their situation
The Manorial System
• Serfs
– The manor was practically selfsufficient, producing almost
everything needed for daily life,
so serfs rarely had to leave their
manor for anything
• Outside purchases included salt, iron,
and a few unusual objects like
millstones (used to grind flour)
– So why did they accept their
economic hardship?
• Acceptance was part of Church
teachings
• They believed that God decided
people’s social position
The Manorial System
• Manors
– Self-contained communities that dotted the
countryside throughout western Europe
– Crop rotation
Daily Life in The Middle Ages
Castle
•
•
•
•
•
•
Built for defense not Comfort
Few windows- dark and musty all year long
Private rooms rare- divided by sheets or rugs
Waste was disposed into the moat or river
No Charmin only Hay
Bathed in wooden tub in garden (summer) or
by fireplace (winter)
Castle Bedroom
Daily Life in The Middle Ages
Villages
• Small 1- 2 bedroom cottages built by
themselves
• Small/Few windows
• Hatched straw roof
• Wooden stools/ few pieces of furniture
• Hay mattress=Bugs
• Cook over open fire??? Really???
Villages
Grog 13-4
• In 10-15 sentences tell me which you
would rather live in
– A castle or a village home
– Put your name on it and turn it in.
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
The Growth of
Monarchies
• Chapter 13
• Section 4
• Pages 387-391
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Bell Ringer 13-4
Write a journal entry from the
point of view of a man or woman
in the early Middle Ages. In your
entry, describe what your daily
life is like and what duties and
obligations you fulfill
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
The Growth of Monarchies
Main Idea
The power of kings grew and the nature of monarchy changed
across Europe in the early Middle Ages.
Reading Focus
• How did the power of the English monarchy grow and change?
• How did kings increase their powers in the other monarchies of
Europe?
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
The Growth Of Monarchies
CH 13 Sec 4 pages 387-391
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
What we will learn
• The power of kings and the
nature of monarchy changed
across Europe in the middle ages
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Anglo Saxon England
• England was the 1st country in Europe to
develop a strong central monarchy
• The Anglo Saxons first unified the county
• During most of the Anglo Saxon period England
was divided into 7 small kingdoms
• Alfred the Great drove Vikings out of England
uniting England under 1 ruler
• Alfred’s decedents would rule England until one
would die without a heir
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Anglo Saxon England
• 2 men would claim the crown
– Harold, a nobleman from England
– William, the Duke of Normandy and a distant
relative of dead Anglo Saxon King
• Supported by English nobles Harold would
be named king
• William would decided to take thrown by
force
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
• Battle of Hastings (1066)
– Normans, under William the Conqueror
defeated
Harold, Anglo-Saxon king
• English lords lost their land
– William granted fiefs to Norman lords
A new nobility in England
• They swore loyalty to him personally
• Doomsday book- survey to see what
each person could pay in taxes
– Laid the foundation for centralized gov’t
– William would bring elements of French
Culture to England- French Language
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
• Henry II- descendent of William
– Became ruler of England in
1154
– Strengthened England’s legal
system
• Sent royal judges to parts of
England to collect taxes, settle
lawsuits, & punish crimes
• Introduced the use of the jury
in English courts
• Laid foundation for English
common law
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
• Why was King William I
known as William the
Conquer?
• Why did William I create
a new nobility in
England?
• Do you think that William
should have insisted that
the Nobles learn the
Anglo Saxon Language?
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
King John Decision making
game
• King John takes power of English thrown
in 1200 AD.
• He will have some tough decision so make
in order to keep the people happy.
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
King John manages to upset everyone!!
The first king to give up some of his power was
John. He is famous as Prince John in make
believe stories of Robin Hood. In the stories
he is a wicked and foolish prince who taxes
the people of England unfairly. Some
historians say John was just as foolish in real
life. Others say he was simply unlucky!
John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. He
faced the following problems.
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Could the rich control the
Around the picture below, you can read some of
king?
the qualities which medieval people expected
their king to have! Which three are the most
important for a medieval king?
A good judge of
Rich – but not
greedy!
Fit and strong
character
A good soldier
God fearing
Inspiring!
Hardworking
Firm – but fair!
Brave
Wise
The Early Middle Ages
Your enquiry!
Medieval kings could get into
serious trouble if they did not
have the qualities of a KING! In
the thirteenth century some
Nobles forced an unpopular
king to give up some power
…and it was only the
beginning!! In this enquiry, you
will find out how the richest
people in the country began to
challenge the king
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
..\Pictures\KingJohnDecisionGame.ppt
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
Section 3
• The power of the king continued to
increase significantly
• Noble worried that Kings power would take
from their own rights
• King continued to fight wars, adding new
lands in France
• Needed money and tried to raise taxes
• Nobles would refused and took up arms
against the King of England.
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
How did the barons strike back?
• In 1214 many barons rebelled against
John. They believed that he could not
rule the country properly and was
treating them unfairly. If someone did
not do something the whole country
could be ruined!
• In 1215 the barons forced John to grant
a charter, which was the first time
anyone had expected an English king to
obey a set of rules.
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
• Magna Carta
– Signed by King John of
England in 1215
– Bill of Rights is very similar
to the Magna Carta
– Guaranteed what are now
seen as certain basic legal
rights in both England and
the US
• Included:
– No taxation without
representation
– Trial by jury
– Protection of the law
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
The Magna Carta
Section 3
I, King John, accept that I have to
govern according to the law.
So I agree:
1. Not to imprison nobles without trial
2. That trials must be in courts; not held in
secret by me
3. To have fair taxation for the nobles
4. To let freemen travel wherever they like
5. Not to interfere in Church matters
6. Not to seize crops without paying for them
…. and lot more things too!!
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
King John Signing the Magna
Carta
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
Section 3
• Some Nobles were still not satisfied
• They wanted more of a say in how the
country was run
• They rebelled….. Again.
• King needing money for wars agreed to
meet with Nobility, Clergy, and middle
class
• Resulting in the formation of Parliament
The Early Middle Ages
England’s Evolving Gov’t
Section 3
• Meeting of Model Parliament
– Met in 1295 under the reign of Edward I
– Considered a major step toward democratic
government because:
• It was a legislative group composed of commoners –
burgesses from every borough and knights from
every county
• Parliament could create new taxes and advised the
king on law making and other policies
** Under Edward I, Parliament was a royal tool that
weakened the great lords, but as time went on, it
became strong enough to provide a check on royal
power
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
What's Happening?
• Why did nobles rebel against King John?
• What was most unusual about the council
that becomes parliament?
• What was the most revolutionary part of
Magna Carta?
The Early Middle Ages
France Develops
– King of France ruled little
territory
• Rest of France was in hands of
nobles and King of England
• Nobles had more land and power
• Ignored Kings wishes
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
France Develops
• Capetian family was a noble
family
• Hugh Capet extended the
power of their monarchy
throughout France
• Did so via wars, marriages and
other arrangements
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Holy Roman Empire
Section 3
• After Charlemagne's death, Germany is
divided into several small states
• Otto the Great, Duke of Saxony
• Unites Germany and Northern Italy
• When Noble challenged Pope Otto stepped
• Pope rewarded him by crowning him Emperor
of the Romans.
• The land he ruled was called the Holy Roman
Empire
The Early Middle Ages
Holy Roman Empire
Section 3
• Decisions and laws were passed with help
of Dukes who still had authority over their
own lands
• Emperor needed Dukes support to make
laws
• Duke would elected new emperor
• New Emperor would then have to crown
by Pope
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
What's Happening?
• Before the Capetians, how much territory
did the king of France rule?
• Why do you think the emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire was elected?
• Why do you think that the Roman Emperor
had to travel to Rome in to be crowned by
the Pope
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Spain and Portugal
• Ruled by Muslims (Moors)
• Cordoba was center of powerful Muslim rule
• Christian defeat powerful Moors after they are
weakened by a civil war
• Reconquista- Campaigns to take back Iberian
Peninsula from Moors
• 1100 Portugal is successful
• 1492 Spain is Successful
• 2 Kingdoms would ruled together Via Marriage
– Rulers of Aragon and Castile marriage
• Resulting in one of the strongest countries in Europe
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
What's Happening?
• What was the reconquista?
• How was Spain and Portugal united and
what was the result?
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Grog 13-4
use the interactive graphic organizer to
take notes about the growth of
monarchies in Europe
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Power of the Church
• Chapter 13
• Section 5
• Pages 392-395
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Bell Ringer 13-5
Write a letter to King John of
England as though you were one of
his advisors. In your letter, you
must advise him either to accept or
reject Magna Carta. Remember to
use logical reasons to support your
position
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Power of the Church
Main Idea
Reform and changes swept through the Christian Church, one of
the most influential institutions in medieval Europe.
Reading Focus
• What was the nature and influence of religion in the Middle
Ages?
• What led to the growth of papal power in Europe?
• What changes in monasticism were introduced in the Middle
Ages?
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Religion in the Middle Ages
Popes as Political Figures
Christian Beliefs
• Pope is head of Roman
Catholic Church
• Manorialism, feudalism
encouraged local loyalties
• Early popes seen as spiritual
leaders
• Noted for their religious
devotion
• Christian beliefs brought people
across Europe together in
spiritual community of
Christendom
• During Middle Ages, they
became powerful political
figures
• Religion touched almost every
aspect of Christians’ lives
• Increased Popes influence
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Religious Ceremonies
• Major life events marked by religious ceremonies
• Monks acted as peacemakers, prayed for safety of rulers, armies
• Church officials served as teachers, record keepers
• Clergy people’s main connection to church, had great influence
Dramatic Increase
• Around 1000, influence of church increased dramatically
• Great upwelling of piety, level of devotion, in Europe
• Members of Christian church became more devout
• Participation in religious services increased, thousands flocked to
monasteries, joined religious orders
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Identify Cause and Effect
Why was the medieval clergy so influential?
Answer(s): Christian church had strong influence
over daily lives of most Europeans; clergy were
the people's link to the church
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Growth of Papal Power
Not only were Europe’s common people inspired by a new sense of
piety, many clergy members sought ways to improve conditions.
Papacy
• 900s, 1000s, pope had little
authority
• Considered head of church,
but local bishops made most
important religious decisions
• Papacy not held in high regard
• Few popes noted for religious
devotion; most were nobles
concerned with increasing own
power
Church Reforms
• 1049, first of series of clever,
capable popes dedicated to
reforming papacy came to
power, Leo IX
• Believed that Europe’s clergy
had become corrupt, wanted
to reform it
• Concerned with simony,
buying and selling of church
offices by bishops
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Power and Conflict
Excommunication
• Bishops guilty of bad offenses excommunicated, cast out of church
• No greater punishment for Christians in Middle Ages
• Person excommunicated could not take part in Eucharist, could not be saved
Reforms
• Leo became more active in governing church than other popes in past
• Reforms brought him into conflict with political, religious leaders
• Many bishops believed pope had no authority to tell them how to act
Conflict
• One who rejected Leo’s authority, bishop of Constantinople
• 1054, Leo excommunicated bishop, split Christian Church in two
• Those who agreed Leo called Roman Catholics; those who sided with
bishop, Orthodox
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Popes and Politics
Popes gained influence over people’s religious
lives, also over European politics
• Pope became head of huge network of ecclesiastical
courts, heard cases on religious, moral matters
• Pope also ruled territories, like Papal States
– Had ability to raise armies to defend territories
– Several popes hired Normans to fight wars
– Crusades against Muslims launched by popes
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Conflict over Bishops
Although popes had increased their power, they still came into conflict
with political leaders. Popes of the late 1000s were firmly resolved to
change the way members of the clergy were chosen.
Tradition
• Kings, other
leaders played
active role in
choosing clergy
• Kings chose most
bishops
• Holy Roman
emperor named
several popes
Reform
• Reform popes did
not think anyone
but clergy should
choose religious
officials
• Issue became
critical during Pope
Gregory VII’s
pontificate
Bishop of Milan
• Henry IV, Holy
Roman emperor,
chose new bishop
for city of Milan
• Gregory did not
approve, removed
bishop
• Henry disputed
Gregory’s authority
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Gregory and Henry
Excommunication
• Gregory’s response was to
excommunicate Henry
• Called on clergy, nobility of
Germany to replace emperor
Bishops
Canossa
• Fearing he would lose his
throne, Henry traveled to
Canossa to beg forgiveness
• Reluctantly, Gregory lifted
excommunication
Power
• Gregory, Henry continued
fighting over bishops for years
• Most important outcome:
Gregory stood up to emperor
• Later popes reached
compromise: local clergy would
choose bishops
• The pope had become one of
strongest figures in Europe
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Analyze
In what ways did popes become stronger in
the Middle Ages?
Answer(s): eliminated corrupt clergy, appointed
bishops, became political leaders, built armies,
ruled territory
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Changes in Monasticism
Contemplation and Prayer
• Early Middle Ages, monasteries founded by men seeking lives of
contemplation and prayer
• Monasteries often paid for by local rulers, who chose abbots who led them
Benedictine Rule Abandoned
• By around 900, rulers had stopped choosing qualified abbots
• Many held positions only for prestige
• In these monasteries, strict Benedictine Rule abandoned
Return to Monasticism
• Early 900s, group of monks sought to return monasticism to strict roots
• Established new monastery at Cluny, France, to live by Benedictine Rule
• Monks of Cluny reserved right to choose own abbot
Section 3
The Early Middle Ages
Network of Monasteries
• Cluny became most influential monastery in Europe
• Monks established daughter houses, leaders had to answer to Cluny
abbot
• Other monasteries in France, Spain, Italy adopted Cluny’s customs,
agreed to follow direction of its abbots
• Cluny became core of network of monasteries across western
Europe
New Orders
• For some monks, Benedictine life
not strict enough
• Monks wanted lives free from any
worldly distractions
• Created new orders, most popular
of which was Cistercian order
Cistercian Monasteries
• Usually built outside of towns to
ensure isolation
• Undecorated, unheated even in
winter; monks divided time between
prayer, labor
• Other new orders even stricter,
members lived like hermits
• Admired for their dedication to faith
and the piety
The Early Middle Ages
Section 3
Find the Main Idea
What changes were introduced to
monasticism?
Answer(s): stricter rules, monks stayed out of
politics, simplified lives
The Early Middle Ages
Section 1
GROG 13-5
• fill in the interactive graphic organizer
by identifying how changes in
Christianity affected different types of
people in the Middle Ages