Chapter 13 Sec. 1 notes

Medieval Period (500-1500) had its roots in: 1. heritage of Rome 2. beliefs of the Catholic Church. 3. customs of Germanic tribes. I. Invasions of Western Europe Repeated invasions and warfare resulted in: 1. disruption of trade – businesses collapsed, money became scarce 2. downfall of cities – cities were abandoned 3. population shifts – population became mostly rural a. The Decline of learning • Germanic invaders were mostly illiterate with no written language. • Had a rich oral tradition of songs and legends • Learning of Romans sank sharply. • Greek almost forgotten. • Priests among few literate. b. Loss of a Common Language • Latin changed as it mixed with Germanic languages. • Romance languages developed from regional dialects (French, Spanish) II. Germanic Kingdoms Emerge Between 400 and 600 Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces. Church survived collapse of Roman Empire and provided order and stability during time of political chaos. a. The Concept of Government Changes • Germanic emphasis on family ties and personal loyalty replaced Roman loyalty to public government and written law. • Germanic tribes lived in small communities with governed by unwritten rules and traditions. • Warriors were loyal to and fought for a chief who provided food, weapons, and treasure. • Stress on personal ties made governing large territories impossible. b. Clovis Rules the Franks • Clovis brought Christianity to the Franks in Gaul. • Church supported Clovis’s campaigns against other Germanic peoples. • By 511 Clovis united Franks. • Alliance between Clovis and Church set precedent. III. Germans Adopt Christianity Christianity spread through relationship with Frankish rulers. Missionaries helped spread Christianity. a. Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts • Monasteries – rural Christian communities for monks.(devoted lives to prayer and good works) • Convents – communities for women who followed similar way of life called nuns. • Benedict and Scholastica established guidelines for monks and nuns. • Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books. • Preserved part of Rome’s intellectual heritage. b. Papal Power Expands Under Gregory • 590 – Gregory the Great expands power of papacy beyond spiritual role. • Church became a secular (wordly, apart from the Church) power. • Ruled territories like a feudal king. • Idea of churchly kingdom, ruled by a pope, became central theme of Middle Ages. IV. An Empire Evolves a. Charles Martel Emerges • By 700 major domo (mayor of the palace) became most powerful person in Frankish kingdom. (led armies and made policy) • 719 – Charles Martel more powerful than king. Extended territory and won the Battle of Tours in 732. • Martel passed power to son, Pepin the Short. • Pepin defeated Lombards for pope. • Pope anoints Pepin king. Starts Carolingian Dynasty 751 to 987. V. Charlemagne Becomes Emperor a. Charlemagne extends Frankish Rule 771 - Pepin’s son Charlemagne built largest empire since Rome Spread Christianity. Reunited western Europe for first time since Roman Empire. 800 – crushed mob attacking pope. Pope crowned Charlemagne emperor. Historic coronation – pope had claimed the right to confer the title “Roman Emperor” on a European king. (gave Pope authority and King legitimacy) b. Charlemagne Leads a Revival • Strengthened royal power. Limited power of nobles. • Encouraged learning. Opened a palace school. • Ordered monasteries to open schools to train monks. c. Charlemagne’s heirs • 843 - Charlemagne’s three grandsons divided kingdom through the Treaty of Verdun • Carolingian kings lost power and central authority broke down. • Lack of strong rulers led to feudalism.