Download Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.

Age of
Charlemagne
Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.
What are the Middle Ages ?
•  The time after
the Roman
Empire declined
•  Medieval Europe
was fragmented
after the
Germanic Tribes
took over
Germanic Customs
•  Germanic invaders could
not read or write so
learning declined
•  No written language
•  Adopted Christianity
Charles the Great
•  He was 6ft 4inches = taller
than many in Europe
•  AKA Charlemagne
•  Becomes king of the Francs
•  Spread Christianity and
unifying western Europe for
the first time since the
Roman Empire
•  France, Germany, and part
of Italy
Age of Charlemagne
•  He regularly visited every
part of his kingdom
•  Encouraged learning which
revived Roman Culture
•  The Pope crowned him
Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire
•  After he died his united
kingdom fell apart
The Middle Ages
Feudalism
Feudalism Rises
A system of
landholding and
governing
Mutual exchange of
protection
Feudal System
Feudal Society
•  Rigid (strict) class structure
Fief
Vassal
Serf
Land given to a Vassal
from a Lord
The person receiving the
fief
Peasants who work the
land
•  The manor is
the lord s
estate
•  Isolated
•  The manor
system is an
economic
arrangement
that is selfsufficient
Manors
Manors
•  Lord provides housing, strips of
farmland, and protection from bandits
•  In return, serfs tend the lands, cared
for his animals, and maintained the
estate/manor
Life on the Manor
•  Rarely traveled more than 25 miles
from the manor
•  Generally 15-30 families lived in the
village on a manor
•  Everything needed such as food,
clothes, fuel, lumber and leather
goods were produced on the manor
•  Only outside purchases were salt, iron
and unusual objects
Knights and the Age of Chivalry
•  A Knights – protect lord
–  Noble, highly trained fighters
•  Chivalry – Code followed by the knights of
honor, bravery and a devotion to others
Tournaments
The Power of the Church
•  The Church begins to seek power in both
spiritual and political matters
•  The Pope believed the emperor and he
should share power in harmony
–  Will compete for power in the Middle Ages
•  Feudalism created division, shared beliefs
of the teachings of the Church brought
people together
•  Canon Law: guide to medieval conduct of
all Christians, kings and peasants
–  Could be excommunicated if they disobey