The First Medieval Synthesis. Charlemagne Post-Charlemagne Viking Invasions Feudal Society.

The First Medieval Synthesis

Charlemagne

Post-Charlemagne

Viking Invasions

Feudal Society

Cultural Background as a German, Roman, Christian Blend

What is First Synthesis? Pepin, the Lombards and the Papacy in 756 Summary p. 144 Religious Reformer – David and Josias Pope Leo III and Crowning Emperor

Palace at Aachen Educational Reform Alcuin Monastic schools Curriculum

Carolingian script (miniscule) Carolingian Liturgical Reforms Alcuin’s Revision of Roman Rite Rebirth of Drama Attempts to develop vernacular culture Legends of Charlemagne in Notker and

Song of Roland

Bust of Charlemagne, Cathedral Treasury, Aachen. 14th Century

Louis the Pious, only surviving son of Charlemagne

Louis and monastic reform Louis’ sons, Louis, Charles, and Lothar,

Kings of East Franks, West Franks and Lotharingia

Louis crowned Lothar Emperor in 817 Thus a divided empire. Pope Nicholas and Charles the Bald and the

role of the Pope

Otto I and the reinstitution of an Empire

Otto II and Theophano and the Byzantine Connection

Ottonian Renaissance

Description of Viking Invasions Weakening of already weak kings They started under Charlemagne but kicked

up on Louis the Pious

911 the Northman Rollo was granted the duchy of Normandy

Alfred became Alfred the Great Fighting Vikings

There were other invasions: Muslims, Magyars (Hungarians), and Slavs (Poles)

These invasions short-term disasters but most became Christina kingdoms

Long term influences vary but the Norman influence on England in 1066 was most significant

1066 and All That Bayeux Tapestry

Post-Charlemagne royal or centralized authority weakened

Internal instability and invasions

Emergence of Lord and Vassal Power Arrangements – freeman to freeman bond

What is a vassal

The changing nature of the warrior, the knight

In return for expensive service land, money, or title

Fief and subinfeudation

The role of the Count

Vassal roles inherited or not

As fiefs were divided among children there arose a money shortage

Vassalage and the Private Possession of Political Power: what is it

Where did it flourish

Was it the “feudal system”?

The later idealization of vassalage – chivalry Song of Roland as a text of idealized

vassalage

The reemergence of Central Authority – Feudal Monarchies

Kings would take pay instead of service, use money to buy army

Kings used the judicial system to tighten authority over lords

Kings began to develop more elaborate bureaucracies

Spread of vasslage culture

To Love

To Religion

To the Three Orders of Society

Oratores, Bellatores, Laboratores