Download The Middle Ages in Europe

The Middle Ages in Europe
(Medieval Europe)
The Dark Ages
500 A.D. – 800 A.D.
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Germanic barbarians destroyed Rome and
the Roman way of life which led to fall of
the Roman Empire.
During this time civilization declined in
Europe.
Early Middle Ages
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The Germanic people who conquered the
Romans divided themselves into the
following tribes:
1. Visigoths
2. The Franks
3. Anglo-Saxons
Early Middle Ages
The Great European Plain:
This plain stretches across most of Northern
Europe. Farmers during this time learned to
farm the plains by clearing forests, inventing
a heavy iron plow, and by using oxen to pull
their plows. Farmers were able to raise a
surplus of food.
Early Middle Ages
Charlemagne:
Son of Pepin the Short, he ruled most of
Western Europe by 800. He built the largest
empire in Europe since the time of Rome.
His name means “Charles the Great.” His
empire did not last long after his death in 814
because his grandsons fought over who would rule.
Early Middle Ages
Alfred the Great:
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Was the ruler of Wessex (a kingdom in Southern
England).
He raised an army to defeat the Danish (people
from Denmark) and invaded their kindgdom.
He worked hard to strengthen his kingdom and
improve learning.
The Church in the Middle Ages
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By 1000 A.D., most of Europe was
Christian.
In every town or village there was a
church and daily life was centered around
the church bells.
The priest was an important part of village
life.
Monks and Nuns
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Monks: men who lived in monasteries
who devoted their lives to God.
Nuns: women who lived in convents who
devoted their lives to God.
Monks & Nuns lived by strict rules. They
spent most of their time in work, prayer,
and study. These two groups made up
what is known as the clergy.
Monks & Nuns
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During the middle ages, they converted
most of Europe to Christianity.
In most towns, only monks & nuns could
read and write. They helped people learn.
The Crusades
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Series of holy wars fought between many
Christians in Europe (known as the
Crusaders) who wanted to fight for the
Christian way of life against the Muslims.
They drove the Muslims out for some time
but they eventually returned.
How did the Crusades change
Europe?
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The Crusaders found that Muslim leaders
could be civilized and well educated.
Seasoning of food with spices developed
so trade increased.
Desire for silk clothing
Since trade flourished, it helped cities to
grow & develop.
The Power of the Church
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If people broke the rules of the church,
they were excommunicated (cut off
from the church). This was terrible for
these people because all hope of going to
heaven was now gone.
There was a struggle for power between
the pope and the king during the middle
ages.
Feudalism
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The system of government/social organization
developed during the middle ages.
The king had most of the power.
Under the king, was the noble class which went
lords, knights, and vassals.
Under the noble class were the church officials.
At the bottom was the townspeople and serfs
and peasants.
Feudal System
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Lord: land owner, a king or powerful
noble
Vassal: promised to serve & obey the
lord. Many knights were vassals.
Church officials: priests, bishops, etc.
Townspeople: merchants, farmers,
craftsmen, etc.
Serfs/Peasants: poorest class, farmers
who lived & worked on the land
The rise of nations in Europe
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Later in the Middle Ages, feudalism began to die
out and kings began to build modern nations
(countries).
Some of these modern nations that began were
England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy,
Germany, Denmark, Norway, & sweden.
England was the first country to unite under a
strong monarchy (a govt. headed by a king or
queen).
The Magna Carta
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During the reign of King John in England
in the early 13th century, the nobles
rebelled against him and forced him to
sign a charter (an agreement that gives
you certain rights).
This charter became know as the Magna
Carta or the Great Charter.
What did the Magna Carta say?
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The king could not collect taxes unless
agreed upon by a council.
Gave the accused the right to a fair trial.
Most importantly, it put limits on the king’s
power.
The Parliament
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Began in England in 1265.
Was a council that included
representatives of small landowners &
townspeople.
At first the parliament had little power, but
later they gained power to pass laws in
England.
The Bubonic Plague (Black Death)
This widespread illness spread through
Europe in the late 1340’s.
 The plague killed so many people that the
population in Europe was almost cut in
half!!
http://www.themiddleages.net/plague.html
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The Hundred Years War
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War between France & England in the late
Middle Ages that lasted 100 years.
The reason for the war was mainly over
land.
While the English won many important
battles, the French eventually drove the
English out and won the war.
Joan of Arc
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In 1429, this 17-year-old peasant girl asked to
see the king of France. She told him she had
been hearing voices from heaven & that she had
been ordered to save France.
The king put her at the head of the army which
gave them hope.
Joan was captured & burned to death by the
English. This angered the people of France and
united them together.
Joan of Arc
 Change
& the development of
new ideas provided the people
with a chance of growth while the
time of the Middle Ages came to
an end.
Questions to Ponder:
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What is feudalism and how did it affect
the people of the Middle Ages?
What made Charlemagne so successful?
How were the people of the Middle Ages
influenced by the Church?
Why was the Magna Carta so important?
What replaced feudalism as the main form
of government?