Download The Rise of Feudalism in Europe

The Rise of
Feudalism in Europe
during the Middle 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
Feudal Europe Power Pyramid
The Pope
King
Lords/Nobles
Knights
Peasants
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”.
Popes
• Leader of
Church
• Popes were
seen as
representatives
of God on Earth.
Kings
• Leader of
Kingdoms/ States
• All lords/nobles
and knights swore
an oath of loyalty
to the king to
protect the land.
Nobles/Lords
• Swore loyalty to
the king and
were given land
called “fiefs” to
protect
Knights
• Armored warriors
that protected
the land.
• They often
received “fiefs”
for their service.
Peasants
• Farmers who
worked on the
lords land
• Many of which
were not allowed to
leave the land but
didn’t have the
status of a slave.
Protection from who?
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. The Magyars from Asia
3. The Muslims (from
South)
Vikings, Muslims and Magyars Invasion Map
Charlemagne
• Charlemagne was first
crowned the king of the
Franks
• Later, in 800 CE he was
crowned by the POPE
Leo III as the king of the
Holy Roman Empire.
• This enraged the Eastern
Byzantines because their ruler
was not selected
• The Church and Charlemagne
depended on each other. The
Pope needed the support of
his army to protect the church,
Charlemagne gained support
from his people because he
was viewed as having “god on
his side”
Charlemagne Continued
• Through wars of
conquest he united
European tribes into one
single empire.
• He showed them that
they have similar values
like Christianity, allowing
them to see themselves
as Europeans not as tribe
members.
By Rafael: the Coronation of
Charlegmagne
William The Conqueror
• He defeated the
English king at the
Battle of Hastings
• To reward the knights
that helped him win
the battle, he gave
them land….Hence,
the beginning of the
feudal system in
England
William The Conquerer
Battle of Hastings
The Pope and King: A Power
Struggle
• Since the large majority of the
people of Feudal Europe were
Christian the Pope had
tremendous power over every
body.
• They thought they should
select Bishops.
• Kings believed they
should have the power to
select the bishops.
Pope Gregory VII vs. King Henry IV
• In 1073 King Henry IV selected a bishop
Pope Gregory VII did not like.
• The Pope excommunicated (cast him out
of the church) Henry IV.
• Remember :Christians believe that if you die while excommunicated
you will not go to heaven.
• Desperate, the king apologized and asked
for forgiveness.
• In fact, the king stood barefoot in the snow for three days before the
Pope would even talk to him.