Download The Middle Ages

The period of European history from the fall of
the Roman Empire in the West (5th century) to
the fall of Constantinople (1453),
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Middle ages are sometimes called Medieval
Times, or Dark Ages.
Why Do you think they call it Dark Ages?
The Middle Ages or Medieval Period
( 500 CE -1500 CE.)
Barbarian
Invasions
cause the
Fall of the
Western
Roman
Empire
Rise of
New
Kingdoms/
States
that are
not united
New
Kingdoms
are unable
to protect
themselves
from
Barbarian
Invasions,
causing a
need for
localized
Protection
The
Rise of
Feudalism
in Europe
Key words Essential to
Feudalism
 Feudalism- (Fyoo-duh-lih-zuhm)
A
system of PROTECTION in the
Middle Ages.
 Vassal- An agreement
between lords & knights that
stated that they would protect
the land. Knights were called
their lords “vassals”.
The Pope
King
Lords/Nobles
Knights
Peasants
 Leader
of
Church
 Popes were
seen as
representatives
of God on
Earth.


Leader of
Kingdoms/ States
All lords/nobles and
knights swore an
oath of loyalty to the
king to protect the
land.
 Swore
loyalty
to the king and
were given land
called “fiefs” to
protect
 Armored
warriors that
protected the
land.
 They often
received “fiefs”
for their
service.


Worked on the
lords land
Serfs: An
agricultural
laborer bound
under the feudal
system to work
on his lord's
estate
1.
The Vikings invaded
from Scandinavia-
They were quick and
savage. They attacked
Ireland, England and
France. They looted and
captured people to sell into
slavery. Most Europeans
lived in terror of them
2.
3.
The Magyars from
Asia
The Muslims (from
South)
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Social & Political system that developed after
the collapse of the Roman Empire.
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Important Characteristics
Loyalty
Service
Hierarchies of Power
Protection
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The Anglo-Normans
brought a new
language, French, and
a new social system,
feudalism, to the
country.
Feudalism was not just
a social system, but
also a caste system, a
property system, and a
military system.

The basic chain of
feudalism was as
follows:
1. God
2. Kings
3. Nobles (Barons,
Bishops, etc.)
4. Knights- who did
not own land
5. Serfs or peasantswho did not own land

The three estates
(social classes) in the
Middle Ages were
Aristocracy (kings and
their vassals), Clergy
(Those who prayedpriests, monks, nuns,
friars, etc.), and the
Commons (everyone
else- doctors, lawyers,
clerks, yeomen, etc).