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The Rise of Europe: European Middle Ages, 500-1200 (214-229)
Germanic Kingdoms
Germanic groups: Tribes that conquered
Rome—Goths, Vandals, Saxons, Franks,-lived in small communities and were mainly
farmers/herders
Feudalism
New Invasions—Between 600 and 1000
new groups begin to sweep across
Europe, including the Magyars,
Muslims, and Vikings
Franks—settled in Gaul, modern day
France—Clovis was the first leader and
converted to Christianity
Vikings—mostly farmers and seafarer
explorers who come out of Scandinavia
Charles Martel—Leader of the Franks, led an
army of Franks to defeat the Muslims at the
Battle of Tours
Battle of Tours—battle between Muslims
and Franks in 732, Christians/Franks won
and halted further advance of the Muslims
into Europe, they do stay in Spain
Charlemagne—grandson of Charles Martel—
built brief empire in Western Europe—
crowned by pope as Holy Roman Emperor,
this is the First Reich
Pope Leo…asked Charlemagne for help
against the nobles, crown Charlemagne and
proclaims him “Emperor of the Romans”
Legacy of Charlemagne—Extended Christian
civilization into northern Europe—furthered
blending of Germanic, Roman, and Christian
traditions
Feudalism— Response to a basic need
for protection, decentralized political
and economic structure
Lord divided…local lords divided lands
among lesser lords and agreed to
protect vassals
Vassals…lesser lord and could be in
service to several lords—were granted a
fief, gave 40 days of military service to
lord
Feudal Contract: Lords granted estates
with towns, peasants, and lands to
lesser lords—based on exchange of
loyalty and military service—also gave
money and advice to the vassal
The World of Knights and Nobles
Knights: Trained from age of 7,
fought on horseback, sent away to
lord to train, taught to ride, fight,
and keep weapons in good order
(lances, spears, and swords)
Castles: started in 1100’s by
wealthy landlords as a defense,
stone, high walls, moats—also
knights lived there and peasants
would take refuge in the castle
Women’s Roles: Noble women
played active roles in supervising
houses (men were out in
battle/fighting), Managed house,
sometimes had a small role in
politics, widows could keep their
land
Chivalry: Code of conduct for
knights, required them to be brave,
loyal, and true to their word
Manor—heart of feudal economy,
peasants lived and worked on
manor, included villages and
surrounding lands—was selfsufficient
Serfs—peasants bound to the
manor, cannot be bought or sold,
had to ask permission to leave, not
slaves, but not free
The Medieval Church
Role of Priest—only contact people had
with church, performed mass and
sacraments, presented Bible to people as it
was only in Latin—guided people and
assisted needy
Village Church—Church main social center,
revolved around Christian holidays and
main events –highly decorated church,
must pay tithe of one-tenth of income
Rise of Cathedrals—large churches, Gothic
style, built to glorify God
Benedictine Rule and Service: regulated
monastic life, took three vows, poverty,
purity, and obedience—helped poor and
sick, provided lodging, provided education
Papal Supremacy—authority over secular
rulers, representatives of god, spiritual
leader of Western church—God on earth
Canon law—body of law of the church the
was based on religious teachings,
government many aspects of life
Excommunication—punishment for
disobeying church law. Could not receive
sacraments or have a Christian burial.
Interdict—when noble opposed church this
order excluded town or region from
receiving sacraments and Christian burial
Conflict with Gregory VII and Pope (not in
textbook)