The Rise of the Middle Ages

Feudalism and the Manorial System

Once Charlemagne died, large-scale government went away and Europeans were governed by small, local, independent lords in the 900's. This political system became known as feudalism. The feudal government was based on land ownership. Wealthy nobles typically owned land and could grant land (fief) to lesser nobles (vassal). A vassal could further divide the land he had been granted to others' such as knights. Land owners were typically first born sons due to the system of inheritance called primogeniture which is where the father leaves his land to his eldest son. Land was often exchanged for military service, protection, and loyalty. Every lord had an army to protect his manor and spent most of his time dispensing justice to his vassals and serfs.

The Franks

One of the Germanic tribes that left a lasting mark on Europe was the Franks. The Franks came into contact with the Roman Empire during the 200's. Their leaders were able military men who conquered and absorbed other Frankish tribes. Soon they controlled most of Gaul (France). Many of the Frankish leaders were Catholics and therefore received support from the Catholic Church.

Charlemagne

One of the most able leaders of the Franks was Charlemagne who ruled from 768 to 816. He reigned for forty-six years and was determined to build a "new Rome." As a devote Catholic, he helped spread church teachings and Catholic beliefs. He united most of the lands in Western Europe and strengthened the political power of the Franks. His rule brought much power to Europe. Charlemagne also spent most of his reign at war. He tried to conquer Muslim Spain, but fail. On Christmas Day in the year 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne "Emperor of the Romans." Charlemagne was not formally educated, but he spent a great deal promoting education. He started schools for children and invited scholars from all over Europe to teach at them. After Charlemagne's death the empire he created was divided and began to collapse due to weak leadership.

The Church

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Church grew to be the biggest landowner and the most powerful institution of leadership and stability. The pope was at the top, followed by cardinals/curia who were advisers to the pope, the archbishops who had authority over bishops, bishops who managed a diocese and appointed parish priests, and parish priests who conducted church services including five of the seven sacraments (ceremonies). Parish priests held the lowest ranks but they were responsible for religious instruction and the moral and spiritual life of the community. The pope was a political and spiritual leader. The church had its own laws called canon law and its own courts. The church could excommunicate which meant that an individual could get banned from church and could not receive sacraments. The courts could also issue an interdict against an entire region which meant that the church was available to an entire region. Anyone who opposed the church's principles was deemed a heretic. The search for heretics was was done by the Inquisition. Heretics who confessed were forced to preform penance, a ritual that brings forgiveness. Those who did not confess were punished, executed or burned at the stake. The church could also issue a tithe which is a tax (one tenth of a person''s income). The church had its own courts that they tried people in. The also had their own laws called canon law.

The Vikings

Vikings or "Norsemen" were the most feared Germanic peoples from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) in the 800's. The Vikings' customs and myths centered on pagan gods. Their way of capturing people was often savage and cruel and European Settlers feared them. They liked to attack monasteries because they were defenseless and wealthy. Their sturdy, very fast ships traveled across the Atlantic Ocean quickly and they often settled in towns in Europe that they conquered. Although they were polytheist, many vikings became Catholics once they settled in Europe.

Peasants/Serfs

A lord shared his land with peasants. The lord typically kept one third of his land for himself. Peasants worked the land in exchange for land and often had to pay taxes. Peasants or serfs, could not leave the land without the lord's permission. Peasants were forbidden to hunt on the land and could rarely afford to eat meat. Peasants typically worked and died in the village where they had been born.

Roman Empire Collapse

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Europe was a scene of widespread disorder and change. Germanic invasions continued in Western Europe, bringing new customs and lifestyles. This age of transition between the 400's and 1500's was called the Middle Ages or the Medieval Period in Europe. It is a time marking the end of the classical age and the beginning of the modern world.

Lords/Nobles

Although castles were their homes, their main purpose was a means of defense against attacks. The main part of the castle was called the "keep" and it contained the lord's living quarters, workshops, barracks, and storerooms. The castle was made of very thick wall (stone) and had very small windows. The outermost walls were often protected by moats or y the sheer drop of cliffs. Castles proved to be effective defense mechanisms until the use of gunpowder allowed artillery to penetrate castle walls. Young girls of noble families were often sent to live with higher ranking noblewomen. They were trained in the skills and responsibilities that were expected of women in their rank. Noble girls were taught to sew, to weave, to cook, to play musical instruments, to draw/paint, and to sing. They also learned to conduct themselves in their social circles.

Knights

Knights were either second or third born sons and they often inherited their fathers' banners and shields. Knights went into combat showing their coat of arms (a three dimensional crest bearing their family emblem or flag, certain colors and/or certain symbols or animals) on their clothing. Knights were enlisted to protect the land and often wore armor called chain mail (small, interlocking metal links stitched to a knee-length leather skirt), an iron helmet, carrying a sword and large shield. The armor was so heavy that knights had t be hauled onto their warhorses. Their coat of arms distinguished knights from one another in battle and were passed along from one generation to another. Be the 1100's, a code of conduct of knightly behavior called chivalry had begun to bring major changes to feudal society. Chivalry improved the rough and crude manners of lords. Knights were required to be courteous towards others. Rough behavior was seen as arrogant or bullying. the word chivalry comes from the French word "cheval" meaning horse and refers to the fact that knights were mounted soldiers. Knights were expected to be brave in battle and to fight fairly. Tricks and strategy used to beat an opponent was considered cowardly behavior. A knight was also expected to show great loyalty, mercy towards his enemies, and compassion toward women and those less powerful. To become a knight, a boy had to belong to the noble class and had to pass two stages of training successfully. At age seven, a boy became an attendant to a knight by learning knightly manners and caring for weaponry. As a teen, a boy became a squire and took care of a knight's horse armor, and weapons. When the knight felt the squire was ready, the squire would accompany the knight into battle. If the squire proved himself to be a brave and able fighter, he would be knighted in a formal ceremony

Problems in the Church

Lay investiture: The practice of a noble such as a king appointing a friend to be a bishop. Henry IV believed he had the right to appoint the German church while Pope Gregory VII responded to Henry by excommunicating him Simony: People who bought positions in the church.

Monasticism

Monasticism refers to the way of life in monasteries (where monks lived) and converts (where nuns lived). Monks and nuns believed that they had to withdraw from the world and its temptations to serve God. this was typically done through fasting, prayer, and self-denial. A young Roman named Benedict left Rome and spread the word of God and attracted many followers. He created rules to govern monks' lives called Benedictine Rule which brought organization and uniformity to all monasteries.

The Manorial System

The manorial system was the economic system of the Middle Ages. Manors were large farming estates that included manor houses, cultivated lands, woodlands, pastures, fields, and villages. Only two of the three fields were planted while one stayed fallow (unplanted) for a season. People who lived on manors were self-sufficient, producing everything they needed including food, shelter, and clothing. A manor could also include a church, shoemaker, seamstress or a village mill.