European Middle Ages

1. European Middle Ages Chapter 13

2. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms

3. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms • Middle Ages – the era of European history that followed the fall of the Roman Empire, lasting from about 500 to 1500 • Invasions of Western Europe • Disrution of Trade • Downfall of Cities • Population Shifts • The Decline of Learning • Germanic invaders were illiterate and had no written language • Loss of a Common Language • German-speaking peoples mixed with the Romans

4. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms • Germanic Kingdoms Emerge • The Concept of Government Changes • Commitment to personal ties made it impossible to establish orderly government for large territories • Clovis Rules the Franks • Gual – France and Switzerland • Franks – a Germanic people who established a great empire during the Middle Ages • Clovis – brought Christianity to the area • United all the Franks into one kingdom in 511

5. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms • Germans Adopt Christianity • Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts • Monasteries – religious communities • Papal Power Expands Under Gregory I • Secular – worldly • Leader politically and socially from Italy to England and Spain to Germany - Christendom

6. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms • An Empire Evolves • Charles Martel Emerges • Defeated the Muslim raiders from Spain in 732 • Carolingian Dynasty – a dynasty of Frankish rulers from 751-987

7. Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms • Charlemagne Becomes Emperor • Charlemagne Extends Frankish Rule • Conquered new lands each summer of his reign • Charlemagne Leads a Revival • Limited power of the nobles • Encouraged learning • Opened a palace school and monastery schools • Charlemagne’s Heirs • Three sons fought among themselves and created three kingdoms

8. Feudalism in Europe • Invaders Attack Western Europe • The Vikings Invade from the North • Scandinavia – Denmark, Norway, and Sweden • Magyars and Muslims Attack from the East and South • Invasions caused panic and local rulers gained power

9. Feudalism in Europe • A New Social Order: Feudalism • Rollo and Charles the Simple – creation of Normandy • Feudalism Structures Society • Lord - landowner • Fief – land which was granted • Vassal – person receiving the land (fief) • The Feudal Pyramid • Knights – horsemen who pledged to defend their lords’ lands in exchange for fiefs • Social Classes Are Well Defined • Serfs – people who could not lawfully leave the land where they were born

10. Feudalism in Europe • Manors: The Economic Side of Feudalism • Manor – the lord’s estate • A Self-Contained World • The Harshness of Manor Life • Tithe

11. The Age of Chivalry • Knights: Warriors on Horseback • The Technology of Warfare Changes • Leather saddles and stirrups • The Warrior’s Role in Feudal Society • Knights were given land in exchange for service in private armies

12. The Age of Chivalry • Knighthood and the Code of Chivalry • Chivalry – code of behavior for knights in medieval Europe, stressing ideals such as courage, loyalty, and devotion • A Knight’s Training • Tournaments – a mock battle between groups of knights • Brutal Reality of Warfare

13. The Age of Chivalry • The Literature of Chivalry • Epic Poetry • Love Poems and Songs • Troubadours – traveling poet-musicians at the castles and courts

14. The Age of Chivalry • Women’s Role in Feudal Society • Noblewomen • Could inherit an estate from her husband • Peasant Women • Performed endless labor around the home and often in the fields