Intro to the Dark and Middle Ages Effects of the Fall of Rome Germanic tribes took over Roman lands. Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe. Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes. Kingdoms were always at war with one another. People lost interest in learning. Warfare increased. Trade decreased. The “Dark Ages” began. The “Dark Ages” Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.” Formally, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages. It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning. Disruption of Trade Merchants’ businesses were destroyed by barbarians Unsafe to trade No Trade = No Cultural Diffusion Downfall of Cities People retreat to countryside to evade invaders Lack of central government administration More people live in rural areas than urban centers Decline of Learning Germanic tribes were illiterate and had no written language Illiteracy + Lack of Written Language = NO VALUE ON EDUCATION Loss of Common Language Germanic invaders did not speak Latin Various dialects form from mixing Latin and Germanic languages By the 800s, French and Spanish had evolved No Common Language = NO UNITY Germanic-style Government Allegiance to family tribes as opposed to a state No central authority; lack of an emperor No loyalty to a king; no “Hail Caesar” The Rise of Europe The Early Middle Ages During the early Middle Ages, Europe was a relatively backward region cut off from the advanced civilizations of Byzantium, the Middle East, China and India. Between 700 and 1000, Europe was battered by invaders. Slowly a new civilization would emerge that blended Greco- Roman, Germanic and Christian traditions. Clovis and the Franks In 481 C.E. Clovis united the Franks and became their king. Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices. The Franks & Christianity The leader of the Franks, Clovis, converted to Christianity to appease his wife and to repay God for a victory (similar to ____________________) Rome supports Clovis & aids his military campaign to unite all Franks The Franks & Christianity The Church builds monasteries to convert German Monastery a religious community of men (monks) who have given up their possessions to devote themselves to a life of prayer & worship The Franks & Christianity Importance of monks Opened schools & maintained libraries Human printing press copied books; preserved aspects of Roman intellect Gregory I Pope Gregory the Great increases the power of the papacy by Becoming involved in the secular world Raising armies Giving charity to the poor Gregory believed the people of Europe were his responsibility Charlemagne Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire. He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”. During his reign, Charlemagne tried to recreate the Roman Empire. However, after his death, the empire declined. Legacy of Charlemagne (Holy Roman Empire) Revival of Latin learning Extended Christian civilization into northern Europe Set up strong, efficient governments. Began Holy Roman Empire. (Germany) Could not repel further Viking and Magyar invasions. The Rise of Feudalism While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages. Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe. Stabilizing Medieval Europe, 700-1000 Stabilizing Medieval Europe New Economic order: Feudalism Manorialism The Role of the Catholic Church Regulating Marriage Regulating Sexuality Blessing Secular Rulers Feudalism Political System = Decentralized Economic System = Agricultural Social System = Hierarchical Feudalism – What is it? Has variously been described as: A political system / government An economic system A social system A psychological state / mentalité Feudalism Medieval people would not have recognized the term feudalism, but would have talked about vassalage Vassalage Occurs between two free people, a lord and his vassal Solidified by ceremonial swearing of oath of homage Vassal promises allegiance and military service to lord In return lord grants land Initially the land was held conditionally No service, no land Typical Elements of Oath One’s own name and the name of one’s lord The fiefs, lands that will be held Promise of allegiance and service If one is a vassal of multiple lords- outline the order of loyalty Typical Elements of the Ceremony of Homage Vassal approaches usually unarmed and kneels before his lord Swears oath on Gospels, church altar or holy relics and in front of witnesses Relationship is sealed with the kiss of peace Complicated Loyalty Vassals could and often did have multiple lords For this reason, oaths of loyalty could specify the order of loyalty Oaths of loyalty could also affect the actions of the seemingly extremely powerful i.e.: even kings were limited by their own oaths of loyalty Feudalism and Medieval Households The Three Categories of Society: Those Who Work: Peasants or Serfs Those Who Fight: Knights Those Who Pray: Clergy & Religious Patterns... 25-50 peasant families support one knight 90% of the population are peasants Peasants owe 3 days/wk of service + fees to lord. Fees are required : to marry, to inherit Knights owe 40 days/year service to lord to fight and must supply armaments, horses, etc. Patterns... Farm output is about 10% of today’s Midwestern farm. Peasants (serfs, not slaves) are bound to land but have rights to the land Manors are economic and military units, with fortifications for defense (a castle), may also be controlled by monastic order or church. Medieval Manor Evolved from Latifundium and Need for Protection Castle: Fortification Manor House: Fortification + Wealth Peasant House Peasant House Women Could and Did Participate in Feudalism Adela of Blois Adela of Blois (ca 1060-1137) Daughter of William the Conqueror Husband sent on Crusade Acted as feudal lord in his absence.