Download Feudalism During the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages
Feudalism, Castles, Knights, &
Promises
Medieval Europe
• The Fall of the Roman Empire brought
many changes to Europe.
• The once unified empire divided into many
regional kingdoms controlled by a
nobleman or king.
Dark Ages, 500-900 AD
• Loss of Central Government
• Disruption of Trade- no government=no
laws=unsafe to move goods
• Downfall of Cities- cities were no longer
the center of government so people
moved to rural areas to support
themselves
Dark Ages, 500-900 AD
• Reasons it was “dark”
• Decline of learning-Germanic invaders
could not read or write so the level of
learning decreased
• Loss of Common Language-Latin mixed
with Germanic languages to create the
Romance Languages (Spanish, French,
Italian, etc.)
Frankish Rulers
• 496 Clovis unites the Franks & converts to
Christianity
• 732 Charles Martel defeats the Muslim
Turks @ the Battle of Tours, Europe will
remain Christian
• 800 Charlemange crowned Holy Roman
Emperor (Western Europe) on Christmas
Day by Pope Leo III
Holy Roman Empire
• Charlemange unites much of Western
Europe
• Reintroduces the value & importance of
education
• Revives the spirit & glory of the Roman
Empire
• Links the power of European monarchs
with the power of the Catholic Church
Social Structure
• King was at the top
• Nobility-any one related to any king or
given a title by a king (clergy, knights, etc.)
• Peasants-Everyone else
Feudalism
• King owns ALL the land
• Land=power
• King grants land (fief) to allies
(vassals/lords) who promise loyalty,
military service, & ransom
• King promises to protect the vassals
• Vassals must protect the fief & peasants
• Peasants must work the land
Protection
• Lawlessness was the rule during the
Middle Ages
• Might made right
• Noblemen built castles to protect the land
& themselves from attacks