EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES 500 1500 Feudalism

EUROPE IN THE MIDDLE AGES (@500 -1500) Feudalism & the Manor System lbegan with the collapse of the Roman Empire l. Charlemagne, King of the Franks, established an empire l 1) extended his kingdom and ruled for nearly 50 years l 2) tried to unite Western Europe, established schools, spread Christianity and improved the economy l 3) empire was divided after his death in 814

l *VIKING ATTACKS (from Denmark, Sweden & Norway) 1) skilled sailors & fierce warriors –methods of attack were speed & surprise 2) raided Europe for about 300 yrs beginning in @ 800 l *Feudalism – because of Viking attacks, life was dangerous and people had to find a way to defend themselves l 1) powerful lords (nobles) owned manors –a piece of land (fief) given to vassals in exchange for loyalty and protection

l 2) lords honored and protected the vassals and vassals lead armies & fought for the lords l 3) many vassals were knights- specially trained soldiers on horseback l 4) knights practiced chivalry (devotion to duty, honor towards women, protection of the defenseless, & defended their faith) l 5) manors were self-sufficient –made everything they needed- included

l 6) castles were in the center or the manors l 7) most people were peasants and serfs- they farmed the lord’s field – serfs couldn’t leave without the lord’s permission l 8) serfs could save enough money to buy a small plot of land become peasants l 9) peasants and serfs lived harsh (hard) lives

l II. THE CHURCH AND THE RISE OF CITIES l A) Church gained wealth by collecting taxesit held great economic power l 1) made laws – threatened to excommunicate people who disobeyed them l 2) Church officials were advisors to lords and kings l 3) church organization l A) priest, bishop, archbishop, pope- based in Rome l 4) by living good lives, Roman Catholics hoped to enjoy the rewards of heaven l B) The Church was involved in everyday life – dominated towns

l C) Monasteries and convents –religious l D) Scholasticism –a system that tried to communities that helped people (farmed, copied books (Bible), set-up schools, fed the poor) l 1) monks – religious men living in monasteries and dedicated their lives to God l 2) nuns – religious women living in convents and dedicated their lives to God resolve two philosophies – Christian belief of truth and the Greek belief of reason

l REVIVAL OF TRADE – l 1) people felt safe and began traveling to distant places like Africa and Asia for goods l 2) merchants traveled to buy and sell goods l GROWTH OF TOWNS – l 1) busy crossroads became markets and grew into towns l 2) huge fairs were often held l 3) a town’s economy was based on the exchange of money of goods and servicesmiddle class of merchants, traders, and craftsworkers grew

guilds were established to set prices and prevented outsiders from selling goods in town –they set standards for the quality of their goods –organized trade l 4) la) guild members paid dues lb) to become a guild member l 1) apprentice –unpaid working under a master l 2) journeyman –paid worker l 3) master –someone who has practiced for many years and produced a masterpiece

l G. towns became overcrowded and disease spread l 1. Bubonic Plague, The Black Death, wiped out 1/3 of Europe’s population between 1347 and 1351 l III. The Crusades l A. Seljuk Turks (Muslim group) took control of the Holy Land l 1) killed many Christians and closed off the Holy Land pilgrimage routes l 2) Byzantine emperor, Pop Urban II, sent knights to conquer the Muslim Turks and the Holy Land

l 3) Urban II also hoped Christians would stop fighting each other for power for themselves and for the Church l. B. Series of Crusades – power and control went back and forth between the Muslims and the Christians l. C. Results of the Crusades – l 1) the Holy Land was never fully recaptured l 2) thousands of Christians and Muslims were killed

l 3) led to an increase in trade – crusaders returned to Europe with goods from the Holy Land that were in high demand (rugs, jewelry, spices, glass) l 4) trade led to the growth of cities l 5) the use of money was encouraged in place of barter l 6) new ideas and technology were brought back to Europe

l IV. The Power of Kings – as nobles gained power they fought for control with other nobles and kings – feudalism declined l A. Kingdoms grew into nations –nations were taking hold in Europe l B. King John – greedy and cruel – taxed people heavily and jailed people without trial l 1. 1215 –nobles acted against King John – they drew up a charter listing their demands l 2. King John 1 st refused –but signed when he saw that his knights supported it l 3. Charter was known as the Magna Carta & established the idea that the king must live by the law

l C. Model Parliament – council advising the king l 1. helped unify England l 2. “checked” the king’s power l D. Hundred Years’ War –England vs. France 1337 -1453 – Causes: a) marriage of King Henry II of England the French noblewoman, Eleanor of Aquitaine, brought more of French land under England control b) later in 1328, King Edward III invaded France, c) both countries wanted control of the English Channel, d) England won most battles

l Joan of Arc –French peasant girl took charge of French forces and defeated the English at the Battle of Orleans and won other battles l 1. 1430 -Joan was taken prisoner by England tried for witchcraft –she was convicted and burned at the stake l 2. French considered her a martyr and were inspired by her death –they won many battles l 3. by 1453 –the French had driven the English troops out of France l 4. Europe was becoming a continent of nations

l. F. During and after the war – l 1) new weapons (longbows and cannons) were used l 2) people began to take pride in their nation and not their lord l 3) King’s (Parliament) of Nations became more powerful