Download Middle Ages known as the Dark Ages

MEDIEVAL AGES
(500 a.d. – 1350 a.d.)
What were the Middle Ages?
• …the era between 500 to 1350 a.d.
• …known as “Dark Ages” or “Medieval Era”
• …after downfall of Romans, barbarian tribes plundered
European countryside
• …West – splintered remains of classical world/East –
wealthy with Byzantine and Muslim influences
•…violence and chaos reigned, but loyalties and changes took
hold.
•…the time period in which classical influences from Greece
and Rome were temporarily lost to the general populace;
which created an environment of ignorance, corruption and
violence.
•…”fend for yourself” or “die”.
•…the Franks became the most influential of the barbarian
tribes in modern-day Germany and France.
Where did the Middle Ages begin?
Who helped to create
the Middle Ages?
Frankish
leaders
Clovis
• Around 481 a.d.
• No conscience, brutal,
violent and cruel
• Supported Christianity
• Name of the “Franks”
Pepin II
• Around 700 a.d.
• “Mayor of the Palace”
• Created hereditary
leadership for medieval
world
Charles Martel
• Known as “the Hammer”
• Around 732 a.d.
• Stopped Muslim advance
into Western Europe
• Removed threat of Islamic
ideas in Christian lands
Pepin III
• Known as “the Short”
• Around 760 a.d.
• Crowned by Pope (with the
grace of God)
• Pope’s gain spiritual and
political power
• “Donation of Pepin”
• Formation of alliance between
church and state
Charlemagne
• 768 – 814 a.d.
• Greatest king of Medieval Europe
• Intelligent, religious and
had little formal education
• Conquered, united and maintained an
empire in Western Europe
• Title of “Emperor of the Romans”
(close ties between Franks and
church)
Charlemagne’s system of government…
•100’s of regions ruled by a Count
•Each region possessed its own military of armed knights, laws
and lands
•Capital at Aachen (modern-day Germany)
…government continued…
•Usage of Missi Dominici, who were the “eyes and ears of
the king”
•Little to no taxes
•Every individual was to contribute to the kingdom in his or
her own way
Charlemagne’s beliefs about education…
•Create schools to educate all in one fashion or another
•Scholars would be used from all over Europe
•Produce a usable, vernacular-translated Bible
•Create libraries and encourage the copying of religious texts
to promote literacy
…education continued…
•Christianity based
•Convert to Frankish and Christian ways - accept
baptism in Christianity - or be executed
After Charlemagne’s death in 814 a.d.,…
• …his three grandsons (Louis the German, Lothair and Charles
the Bald = sons of Louis the Pious) divide the kingdom…
• …which leads to the downfall of the Frankish Kingdom and
rule, because of…
• …jealousy and internal conflicts, barbarian invasions and a
general lack of unification.
When Charlemagne’s kingdom was torn apart by
internal strife,…
it opened the door for another “barbarian people”
to influence the European continent…
they were the…
VIKINGS
Who were the
Vikings?
• Most feared of all European invaders in the 800’s and
900’s a.d.
• From Scandinavia, not Minnesootaaah!
• Known as “Vikings, Danes, North men or Norse men”
• Misunderstood throughout history, as the label of
violent and crude was only one aspect of Viking
society.
What were the Vikings like?
• Democratic, loyal,
resourceful, curious, hardworking, superstitious,
creative, explorers, warlike, diligent and
unrelenting…
• Seen as “rude, crude and
violent”
The Vikings were a significant reason why medieval society
survived and thrived throughout its difficult existence…
without the Vikings, the assimilated, multi-cultural society
that would develop in Europe would never have been.
To deal with the
ever-changing violence of
medieval life, two distinct ways
of survival developed to
maintain a sense of
organization and to help
protect individual kingdoms.
They were feudalism and
manorialism.
Feudalism
Characteristics of feudalism…
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Political system based on ownership of land
“Land, loyalty, protection, service and relationships”
Fief – land
Vassal – subordinate follower, feudal position
Primogenture – inheritance of position
Dowry – money given as a gift for service or to the groom in an
arranged marriage
• Relationship based on an exchange of goods and services
Medieval society…
• Monarch – total control and influence, top of
feudal system
• Nobility – upper class and wealthy, lived in castles
or palaces, dependent on common people, feudal
obligations, medieval cultural creativity and
provided entertainment for kingdom
• Peasants (known as “serfs”) – common people,
mainly farmers and town folk, tied to the land for
life, average life span 40 years, born/live/die in
same place, simple and boring life style
FEUDAL SYSTEM
Monarch
(King/Queen)
Greater Lord
Lesser Lord
Knights
PEASANTS
Knights
PEASANTS
Lesser Lord
Knights
PEASANTS
Knights
PEASANTS
• Feudalism continued–
– Honorable relationship between legal equals
– Personal loyalties and obligations
– Feudal justice – trial by battle, oath taking and ordeals
DESCRIPTION
OF
FEUDALISM
pp. 186 – 190
READ, READ, READ
Manorialism
Characteristics of manorialism…
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Economic system closely connected to feudalism
Based on the successful operation of the “manor”
Manor – lord’s estate (property and lands)
Self-sufficiency – being able to operate or survive without any
outside help
• Focused on “sustenance” instead of “profit”
Manorialism continued…
• The castle (or manor house) was the main feature of the “manor
system”
• Wide-spread trade was unknown, so self-sufficiency was
necessary
Ludlow
Edinburgh
Newark
Cardiff
Leeds
Canterbury
Pembroke
Tower of
London
Alnwick
Bamburgh
Bodiam
Harlech
Beaumaris
Deal
Helmsley
Berry Pomeroy
Dover
Laugharne
Kenilworth
Llansteffan
Oxwich
Kirby Muxloe
Llawhaden
Picton
Lewes
Nunney
Powis
Raglan
Traquair
Rhuddlan
Whittington
Sherborne
Wiston
Caerlaverock
Clifford's Tower
Chepstow
Medieval Castle Project…
• For an “A thru C”…
– Draw 3-blue-prints of your castle,
which will include frontand
aerial views
– Must be a scale-drawing on
graph paper, in perspective and
in proportion with all dimensions
– Well-done, colorful, creative and
inspirational
Coats of Arms…
Create a coat of arms…
• Requirements –
– Use the provided shield outline
– Must include “4” images…
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Main image, must be approved
Maternal image
Paternal image
“You” image, must be approved
– Colorful, well-done, neat with all images
Other important influences on
the Middle Ages…
The Church…
Medieval Church…
•…became the backbone of society, as
Christianity was the core of most medieval
lives
•…administered the sacraments and led life
by example
•…belief that faith in Christ, living a life of
morality and participation in the sacraments
would lead to salvation
•…was main “rival” of kings, as both desired
similar things during this era – such as land,
influence, titles, money, power, etc.
Medieval Church
Pope
"Spiritual and Secular leader of the Christian Church"
Curia
"advisors to the Pope"
"very influential"
known as Cardinals
Archbishops
"regional supervisors"
Bishops
"local supervisors"
Priests
"administered the sacraments"
"teaching about livlihood and morality"
Monks/Nuns
"provided basic social services"
"hospitality, providers, educators"
Characteristics of the church…
• …religious, social and/or education
centers
• …pride in local churches
• …required “tithe” or contributions
to the church
• …gender equality in heaven, but
male-dominated on earth
• …commitment to spiritual pursuits
through monks and nuns
• …life of service, educating and
living a moral life
• …creation of monasteries and
convents
• …became a spiritual and
secular power
• …rising conflict between
“secular kings” and “papal
supremacy” (would lead to
difficult times between kings
and popes)
Power of the church…
• Canon law – absolute authority in religious affairs as determined by the church; dealt
with teachings and morality
• Excommunication – an individual cut off from the church without sacraments or
burial
• Interdict – the church cutting off a town or region from receiving the sacraments or
burial
• …very influential with ending feudal conflicts and enforcing its will on medieval
society
• …internal reform movements, such as the Cluniac Reforms, reorganized the faltering
direction and ended the church’s corruption and worldliness
• …Franciscan, Dominican and Beguines transformed the Christian Church
Medieval society…
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Cultural
Entertainment and games
Festivals and celebrations
Superstitions
Coats of Arms
Weapons
Tortures
Oddities of Medieval life…
Cultural…
• Culture always includes any, and all, aspects of a
society such as clothing, language, food, events, tools,
etc…
• …some unique aspects of medieval society include the
following…
Clothing…
a) Frankish King and Queen
b) Frankish Noblewomen
c) King Charles the Bald
d) Emperor Henry II, Frankish Bishop
a) Monk, Bishop, Priest
b) Frankish King and Queen
c) Norman Ladies, Norman Noblewoman
d) Knights and soldiers - First Crusade
a) Servant, Roman Pope, King
a) German Noblewomen
b) Squire and Knight - First Crusade
d) Commoner, Rich Jew, Knight
a) Order of St. John of Jerusalem - Females
b) Order of St. John of Jerusalem - Males
c) Master and Knight of the Teutonic Order
d) Templars - Knights
a) German Prince, German Ladies
b) German Knight and Family
c) Italian Scholars, German Middle-Class Woman
d) Knight, Prince, Templar - Knight
a) Knightly Dress - King of Germany (1349)
b) Court of Orlamunde (1315)
c) Soldiers (1370)
d) knights and lady (1378)
12th, 13th and 14th Centuries
14th Century and beyond…
The code of conduct during the Medieval
Era was called…
CHIVALRY
Characteristics of
chivalry…
• A code of conduct for
knights and nobility
• “simply complex”
• Proof of worthiness, loyalty,
courtesy, personal, selective
respect and arrogance
• Coat of arms and
standards
• Basis for medieval behavior
• Applied only to nobility,
not commoners!
• “POLITICALLY CORRECT”
code of conduct for medieval
society
• Set the tone for all behaviors,
mannerisms, attitudes and
traditions throughout Europe
• “sappy love” and its “idealistic”
views of love and courtship
were emphasized
• Poetry and songs
Entertainment and Games…
• Bear baiting, gambling, cock fighting, drinking, songs,
dance, chess, jousting, sword fighting, theater, jugglers,
story telling, art, church festivals, marriage or funeral
processions, poetry, music, acrobats, performing animals,
plays, bonfires, sports, tournaments, archery, hunting,
falconry, melees…
Festivals and Celebrations…
• Any reason to gather became a festival or celebration…
Weddings…
Births and Funerals…
Holidays – kingdom, religious,
personal, local…
Visitations…
Weapons…
…in-class
presentaion
Tortures…
…in-class presentation
Also, a major development in
the Middle Ages…
Towns during
the Middle Ages…
• Centrally located,
crowded, dirty, cramped
conditions, disease, fire,
smelly, organized chaos
and all sorts of people
• Development of trade
routes and trade
organizations, called
“leagues”
•
Vernacular languages (local dialects/slang was used)
•
Development of educational institutions in Paris, Oxford, Bologna
and Salerno…better known as universities
•
Towns/cities led to –
1) Freedom and more rights
2) Exempt Status (a year and a day)
3) Town Justice
4) Commercial Privileges
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A new mentality will arise in towns/cities, as the common people
will gain more prestige, confidence and rights in society
Growth during the Middle Ages …
• development of “common law” – laws that apply to everyone…representative
assemblies of the people.
•Magna Carta (1215) – kings can not rule as they please; creation of “due
process of law”; legal equality; everyone must obey the law.
•rising conflict between spiritual leadership (pope) and secular leadership
(king) over who holds real “power” throughout the medieval era.
•Growth brought problems – jealousy, greed, disease, overcrowding,
inflation…benefits – equality, opportunity, learning, “global mentality”.
Other medieval events…
•Agricultural Revolution – inventions/innovations to improve farming –
iron plows, harnesses for horses instead of oxen, windmills, 3-field system
•Commercial Revolution -- $ (or capital) was needed for investments,
partnerships/guilds, insurance on business ventures, bill of exchange,
tenant farmers, creation of a middle class, rise of usury (Jewish stereotype)
•Revival of trade – demand for needed/exotic items intensified, trade
companies/routes, trade fairs, creation of medieval cities/towns, usage of
charters, “town air makes free!”
…this growth was substantially influenced by
the…
CRUSADES
What were the Crusades?
•Christian efforts to recapture the “holy land” from Muslim control.
•Unite Christians with a common sense of “cause” under “papal”
leadership.
• “God wills it!”, Pope Urban II and
Innocent III
Crusades of the Middle Ages…
•First Crusade (1096 – 1099) – massacre of Muslims/Jews – receive spiritual
forgiveness – guaranteed power of church and European supremacy –
successful.
Second Crusade (1147 – 1149) – horrible losses and failed to obtain
objective of Jerusalem, miserable failure.
Third Crusade (1189 – 1192) - (“crusade of the kings”, fails to recapture the
holy land – Christians cut off from Jerusalem – failure.
“Children’s Crusade” – unbelievable and terrible story.
Fourth Crusade (1202 – 1204) – last attempt; turns to
looting and destruction – failure – holy land remains
under Muslim control.
Effects of the Crusades…
•Bitter hatred between Islam and Christianity.
•Social improvements.
•Luxury goods – fabrics, spices, perfumes
•Increased trade – sugar, cotton, rice
•“assimilation”
•Development of money economies
•Serfdom declines
•Papal and state tension
•Foreign travels – Marco Polo
•Expanded medieval horizons
•“Inquisition”
Black Death…
•What was it? A disease spread by
fleas on rats
•Types? Bubonic and Pneumonic
•Effect on society?
Killed 1/3 to ½ of the
population of Europe
All events and actions of the Middle Ages are
leading to…
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the creation of new ideas and curiosity
the development of towns and cities
a re-focus on learning
a global mentality
a community sense, based on Christian ideas
a renewed pride in European society and human capabilities
an opportunistic attitude about the world at large
MEDIEVAL AGES (500 a.d. – 1350 a.d.)