The Middle Ages 476 1500 Version 3 Before
The Middle Ages 476 – 1500 Version 3
Before the Middle Ages… n THE ROMAN EMPIRE n n 27 BCE – 476 CE Largest Empire of history to that date
REMEMBER n n Rome was not built in a day AND it did not fall in a day. Rome’s peak was about 200 CE. It took 276 years to collapse.
Benefits of the Roman Empire n n n More people had education. Better roads and bridges Sanitation in the cities and clean water. CULTURE LAWS
So What Happened to Rome? n Despotic – and crazy – emperors. n Caligula was only one example.
So What Happened to Rome? Not enough soldiers. n The Germanic Tribes figured out how to fight the Romans – and WIN. n
So What Happened to Rome? Not enough tax money to support the military or public structures. n The Church (Catholic) was unsure about fighting and giving up tax money in the 300 s – 476. n
So what happened to Rome? n Not enough slaves to support the Roman way of life. n Problem began in the 300 s.
So what happened to Rome? n The lead water pipes? ? ? n n Creates infertility? Creates slower brain abilities?
So what happened to Rome? n 476 – A tribe called the Vandals invaded and sacked Rome. n n End of the Empire. THAT is where we get the term “vandalism”!
What happened after Rome fell?
The Dark Ages About 400 years of chaos. n Germanic tribes only seeking loot taking from the weak. n The Norsemen (Vikings) raiding from the sea. n
The Dark Ages: 400 - 800 n n Not much is known from this period. Few people could write. Few people had time to write. No real art comes from this time in Europe.
The Dark Ages n There were “spots” where civilization hung on. Christian monasteries in remote locations. n Tended to be looked at by people as another type of magic. AND …. n
The Age of Arthur? n Was there a King Arthur?
Somewhere between 500 – 600 - ARTHUR n n n The Mabniogion Arthur wasn’t really a “king” like we think of it. He was probably a Roman – Celt cavalry commander left after Rome deserted Britain.
Arthurian Legend in Britain n What we can guess at being true about Arthur: n He kept the invading Angle and Saxon tribes from taking complete control. n He had a huge victory that kept the Angles/Saxons away for a generation. . n He had the time to try to care about justice.
Later in the Middle Ages the Arthur story was made “appropriate” n n n Le Morte D’Arthur in 1485. Arthur was made a king. Christianized story. Women were subservient / unfaithful. Round Table and Knights searching for the Holy Grail.
There were probably other “Arthur’s” in the Dark Ages. . n n n Stories and legends. The “Arthur’s” tended to lose in the end. And History is written by the victors.
Now – for some of the “real” history Things we know for sure!
By the 500 s n Germanic invasions had all but destroyed the Roman world. n n Law and order disappeared. Infrastructures like roads, bridges, buildings fell apart.
Frankish Rulers n Franks – (France) – n n Merovingian kings Charlemagne and the Frankish Empire
The Merovingians 400 s the Franks Germanic Tribe conquered and settled in France / Germany. n 481 Clovis became king of the Franks. n
King Clovis Brutal king n BUT became a Christian. n n Saw that Christianity had some educated people that he needed to help rule his domain.
Problems for the Merovingians Frankish custom to divide your land among all your sons. n Heirs began to kill each other for their inheritances. n So busy fighting the governing was left to the MAYORS OF THE PALACE. n
Charles Martel – Mayor of the Palace 714 Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) more or less took over in all but name. n Led the Franks to defeat the Muslim invasion in 732. n
Charles the Hammer’s son: Pepin the Short 752 – Pepin finished off the Merovingians and bought off the Church and nobles. n Became King of the Franks. n Convinced the Pope that he could be his “protection. ” n
Pepin’s Son: CHARLEMAGNE 771 Charlemagne became king. n Doubled the size of his kingdom to include Germany, France, northern Spain and most of Italy. n Created the Frankish Empire n
Charlemagne needed help with his empire Needed communications n Needed educated men to help n Charlemagne needed …. . n
THE CHURCH The Church started to create schools and monasteries to teach reading and writing. n Made illuminated copies of the Bible and Roman manuscripts. n Spread the knowledge around the empire. n n First time in 300 years.
A Christian Realm under Charlemagne n Defending the Pope against the Lombards (another Germanic tribe) in 800 – Charlemagne had an interesting “problem” come up.
Charlemagne an EMPEROR? Pope Leo III thought it was a great idea if HE crowned Charlemagne emperor. n Charlemagne liked the idea of the power of being an emperor too - BUT n
Charlemagne as Emperor? n BUT what does it mean if the Pope crowned him? n n The pope had more power than the emperor. Charlemagne did not like that idea.
Emperor Charlemagne n Pope tricked Charlemagne into being emperor.
Charlemagne’s Empire n Divided land among COUNTS. n n Solve local problems Stop feuds Protect the weak Raise taxes and armies.
Charlemagne’s Empire Sent royal messengers on inspections to tell him how counts were doing. n Charlemagne was constantly traveling to see for himself his kingdom. n
814 Charlemagne died. Son Louis the Pious was more concerned about the purity of his soul than ruling. n Charlemagne’s grandsons went to war for his kingdom. n
The end of the Franks Charles the Bald took over what is today France. n Louis got what is today Germany. n Lothair took a strip between the North Sea to Italy. n
800 – 1000: New Invaders n. VIKINGS!
The VIKINGS Came from Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland) n Called themselves Northmen or NORSEMEN. n
Viking Invasions TRIVIA: Viking comes from AVIKING (fight as a warrior). n Had GREAT boats n n Sturdy in oceans Shallow enough to go up rivers. Could be carried past fortified bridges.
Viking Invasions Brutal. No mercy in battle. n What couldn’t be stolen they’d burn. n
Viking Trade n They also explored and settled in other countries. n Dublin (capitol of Ireland) was a Viking settlement.
Viking Trade Since no one else but Vikings were using the waterways – trade happened through them. n Sometimes trade was more profitable than war. n
Viking Culture n n Worshipped many gods. Told EPICS about gods and men. Storytellers had special status. So did the CRONES.
Vikings accepted Christianity n BUT not until the 1100 s.
The Effects of the Germanic / Viking Invasions People became very isolated. n Not much centralized control. n n n Nobles and local people had to defend themselves. Trade declined.
Medieval Life Feudalism n Life of the Nobility n Manorial System (castles) n
Feudalism: 900 s - 1500 With weak central government – feudalism developed. n Alliances of mutual protection between monarchs and nobles of varying degrees of power. n
Feudal Relationship n Military service = land ownership. n Fiefs – land with peasants. n n Warriors got a way to make money in exchange for being a warrior for a king or greater noble. This is where the knight began.
Knights USUALLY cavalry fighters. n Cost a lot for upkeep of horse and armor. n
In exchange for land nobles swore oaths of loyalty n n n To kings or greater nobles. Promised to provide so many mounted warriors for the armies. Nobles, if they did their duty, could pass on their land to theirs.
Feudalism: A Pyramid Scheme n n King at the top. Middle was the various ranks of lords. Vassals were nobles who served a higher ranked lord. Nobles could pledge services to more than one lord! n One Siboto of Falkenstein was pledged to 20 different lords! n Worked as long as one of his lords didn’t declare wary on the other!
Feudal Obligations n Homage: The ceremony of making promises. n n Knight promises service to the king. The king promises fiefs to the knight.
Usual Feudal Obligations n n n Promised to bring a certain number of knights to fight for the king. 40 – 60 days a year of service to the king. Serve in the lord’s court Provide food and lodging if the lord came to visit. To pay for educating / dowry of the lord’s kids. Pay ransom for the lord.
Castles for Defense No big surprise – warfare happened quite a bit. n Every noble built a castle – fortified manor house – for defense. n
Castles for Defense n In the beginning – mostly wooden fortlike structures with a great hall that everyone lived in.
Castles for Defense Around 1100 s castles began to be made of stone. n Built on a hill or mound for defense. n Maybe a moat? n
Inside the Castle Walls n Square towers called KEEPS. n n Strongest part of the castle. Usually had the great hall for meals / celebrations. Some housing for the family of the noble. Dungeon?
Inside the Castle Walls n Surrounding the keep was the BAILEY. n n Large open area. Had buildings like barracks, storerooms, workshops, stables, chapel.
Life in the castles Not so glamorous as the movies make out! n Castles were for security – NOT comfort. n n Nor sanitation!
Life of the Nobility n Within his fief, a lord, or nobleman, had almost total authority. n n n Collected rents Administered justice Keep away invaders who might try to take his fief.
Life of a noblewoman Few – if any – rights. n Could be wed by her twelfth birthday (sometimes younger) n Husband chosen by father / brother. n Have children and take care of the household. n n Often the doctor.
Life of a noblewoman n SOMETIMES, their husbands / fathers / brothers trusted them to do themen’s duties when they were at war or the king’s court.
Entertainment for Nobles Tournaments! n Hunting! n n n Women and men did falconry and archery. Eating! n Entertainment by traveling minstrels.
Becoming a Knight Boy’s training began at 7. n Became a page / assistant / in the house of another lord. n Began to learn the use of weapons and some manners. n
Becoming a Knight At 15, if good enough, they became a SQUIRE. n Assisted the knight, practiced using weapons. n Had to prove himself in battle before he could become a knight. n
The Code of Chivalry n Code for knights to be brave and… n n Fight fair Keep promises Defend the Church Treat women of noble birth courteously. n RARELY kept to the code!!!!
The Manorial System n Usually the manor only produced enough food to support the peasants and lord’s household on the fief. n Hunger could be a real problem with a bad crop year.
Peasant Life Poverty and hardship. n Rarely lived beyond the age of 40. n Famine, diseases, war – peasants hardest hit. n
Peasant Life Lived in one room hovels, dirt floor, no chimney, maybe one or two stools and a table. n Warmth came from sleeping together. n Grain diet – very little meat. n
Strange thing: People rarely questioned the social order of their society. n They accepted that nobles were “better” than serfs / peasants and had more rights. n
But: n Acceptance of the social ladder also meant you knew your place and might have a bit more protection than if you were out on your own.
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