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The MiddleAges
aka Medieval World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4InZq-1ew
The Middle Ages: 476 – 1492
The Medieval Period
Rise of the Middle
Ages
Decline of the Roman
Empire
*The word ‘Medieval’ comes from two Latin words
(medium aevum), which mean “the middle age”.
What are the Middle Ages?
A historical period of about 1000
years that marks the time between
the Ancient Civilizations (Greece,
Rome, Mesopotamia…etc.) and the
Modern Age.
476 CE – end of the Roman empire when a BARBARIAN
named Odoacre proclaimed himself emperor.
1492: Christopher Columbus discovers the
« NEW WORLD » and the Age of Discovery begins.
Germanic Peoples
Roman empire overran by Germanic groups with repeated
invasions and constant warfare
1. Breakdown of trade: money became scarce.
2. Cities abandoned – no longer center of economy or
administration.
3. Population became rural. People went back to small
subsistence farming.
4. Decline of literacy – only priests, church officials
and a few of the wealthy class were literate.
5. Breakup of unified empire – language began to
change. No longer Latin.
6. End of Democracy
End of Democracy
Rome was:
• Unified by loyalty to public government and
written law
• Orderly government
Germania was:
• Based on Family ties and personal loyalty
• People living in small communities governed by unwritten
rules and traditions
• Ruled by a Chief who led a band or warriors loyal only to
him – not some emperor they’d never seen
After the Fall of Rome
Medieval Ages (Middle Ages)
• Chaotic period during which
Germanic tribes conquered most
of Western Empire
• During this period, 3 new
civilizations emerged, 2 Christian;
Western Roman Empire, Eastern
Roman Empire and one Muslim.
• Eastern Roman Empire – Byzantine
Empire (Christian) very successful
and wealthy for 1000 years –
people called “Romans”.
A time of continuous Barbarian invasions:
Ex: Anglos & Saxons - Britain
Franks – Gaul (France)
Ostrogoths -- Italy
Visigoths in Spain
Vandals in North Africa
Huns : Asie
1. Violent Life – most people fled the cities
for rural areas
2. Cultural Decline - Trade Stopped
3. The people live off the land… Live
according to their needs, not luxuries, no
extras.
4. No schools, reading, writing…
Germanic peoples (Barbarians) were mostly
illiterate
5. Unsanitary conditions – no personal
hygiene, sewer systems… etc.
6. Disease is common and life expectancy is
low.
7. The Christian Church was the one unifying force.
Monks in monasteries were the only
ones who could read or write.
A New System of Government
• Around the year 800, a
new system was
developed which saw
nobles given large
of land.
• Poor peasants worked
the land and were
protected by the
nobles.
This system was called:
Feudalism
How did it begin?
• The Germanic chiefs (Ostrogoths, Vandals, etc.) gave
land to their warriors in return for their services in
war.
• This meant that the warriors ruled over smaller
landowners and the common people who lived and
worked on the land.
• Each ‘level’ had clearly defined duties and
responsibilities toward each other which helped
create a sense of order during these crazy times.
Periodization
Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000
High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250
Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500
Feudalism
• Political and social system based on the
granting of land in exchange for loyalty,
military assistance, and other services
Europe in the 6c
The Middle Ages or Medieval Period
( 500 CE -1500 CE.)
Barbarian
Invasions
cause the
Fall of the
Western
Roman
Empire
Rise of
New
Kingdoms/St
ates 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
Feudalism
• Developed as
a result of
frequent
invasions in
western
Europe
• Kings and
nobles
needed a way
to protect
their lands
Feudalism
• Lords divided their
lands into estates
called fiefs
• Fiefs (land) given to
vassals in return for
loyalty and military
support
• All nobles were vassals
to the King
What is a Knight?
• Almost all nobles were knights
• Training began at age 7, as a page,
under the guidance of the lady of the
manor
• Became squires at age 15 and were
trained by other knights
• Those deemed worthy were
“dubbed” knights
21
Feudalism
• Knights
– Mounted warriors who
protected lord’s lands
– Given land for their
services
– Chivalry
• Code of ethics followed by
knights
• Honesty, fairness in battle,
loyal, proper treatment of
women
•
Feudal Obligations
• Provide military service
• Remain loyal and faithful
• Give money on special
occasions
• Give Land
• Protect from attack
• Resolve disputes between
knights
Peasants and Serfs
• Serfs
– Peasants who lived and
worked on the lord’s manor
– Were not allowed to leave
the manor or marry without
the lord’s permission
– Were allowed to farm on the
manor in return for work
• Lords were required to protect
the serfs
Life of Serfs
• The life of a serf was
harsh
– Worked long hours
– few lived past 35 years old
– Based on heredity
• You were a serf if you
parents were
Life of Serf
• The Harshness of Manor Life
– Peasants pay taxes to use mill and
bakery; pay a tithe to priest
• Tithe—a church tax—is equal to onetenth of a peasant’s income
– Serfs live in crowded cottages with dirt
floors, straw for beds
– Worked long hours
• raising crops, livestock; feeding and
clothing family
– Poor diet, illness, malnutrition make
life expectancy 35 years
– Serfs generally accept their lives as
part of God’s plan
Manorial System
• Freemen
– skilled workers who
paid rent to nobles
and could leave the
manor
• Ex. Blacksmith and
millers
Constructing the Pyramid Feudal
Power
SERFS AND FREEMEN
29
Constructing the Pyramid of Feudal
Power
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN
30
Constructing the Pyramid of
Feudal Power
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN
31
Constructing the Pyramid of
Feudal Power
KING
LOYALTY AND
SERVICE
LAND
POWERFUL
NOBLES
LAND AND
PROTECTION
LOYALTY AND
MILITARY SERVICE
LESSER NOBLES
(KNIGHTS)
LABOR
PROTECTION
SERFS AND FREEMEN
32
Parts of a Medieval Castle
Manorial System
• An economic system
in the Middle Ages
that was built
around large estates
called manors
• Included a village
and the land
surrounding it
Manorial System
• Manors were self sufficient
– Most things needed for daily life were produced on the
manor
European Empire Evolves
• After the decline of the Roman Empire small
kingdoms sprang up all over Europe.
• The largest and the strongest was controlled by
the Franks (today French)
• Lead by Clovis – first Christian king (480511)
• Area that is now France
• He is known as the founder of the French
monarchy
• Wrong move: bequeathed his kingdom to
his four sons – led to two centuries of
infighting.
Franks & Charlemagne
Pepin the Short
• King from 714-768
• Elected to power by the Frankish
nobles (thanks to some help from
the church)
• Gave land to the Roman
Catholic Church (near Rome)
• Became the Papal States…
• Because of this move, the Church
would hold considerable power
throughout the Middle Ages.
Charles the Great
• Pepin was succeeded by his son Charles who ruled
from 768 to 819.
• Extended his empire and strengthened its central rule.
• Defeated: the Lombards in Italy,
the Muslims in Spain, the Saxons
in northern Europe, and the Avars
in the east.
• Because of this he was called
“Charles the Great” or
Charlemagne.
Charlemagne
• Made uniform laws - appointed
local Judges to see that they
were upheld.
• Made nobles in charge of
overseeing laws and defending
their territory
• Sent out royal inspectors to
check on different parts of the
kingdom to make sure the lords
were in control (avoiding the
threat of rebellion.)
Charlemagne
• Spread Christianity
• Conquered territories
• Executed nonChristians.
• Dec 25, 800, he was
crowned Emperor
by the Pope
** Shows the power of
the Church
Charlemagne
• Brought back education
• Schools and libraries
were created throughout
the empire.
• Reading, writing, art, and
culture thrived during his
reign.