SS.912.W.2 Recognize significant events, figures, and contributions of medieval civilizations (Byzantine Empire, Western Europe, Japan). SS.912.W.2.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages

The Roman World CollapsesIntroduction to FeudalismConsolidation of KingdomsDevelopments in EnglandPopes, Kings, and Pawns

Art, Literature, and ArchitectureThe End of an Age

Mandatory Reading

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Read each assigned section and be prepared to talk about it or to take a short quiz.

Create a PowerPoint that highlights the major characters, events, and themes – no minimum or maximum – you are competing against each

other.

Full Text Version – http://www.lib.rochester.edu/Camelot/sggk.htm

The Roman World Collapses

The Roman World Collapses

• SS.912.W.2 Recognize significant events, figures, and contributions of medieval civilizations (Byzantine Empire, Western Europe, Japan). – SS.912.W.2.2: Describe the impact of Constantine the Great's establishment of "New

Rome" (Constantinople) and his recognition of Christianity as a legal religion. – SS.912.W.2.3: Analyze the extent to which the Byzantine Empire was a continuation of

the old Roman Empire and in what ways it was a departure. – SS.912.W.2.4: Identify key figures associated with the Byzantine Empire. – SS.912.W.2.5: Explain the contributions of the Byzantine Empire.

The Roman World Collapses

• What were the four primary causes for the fall of the Roman Empire?

• How did life change from the Roman period to that of the Middle Ages?

• During the Roman period, the possession of precious metals signified wealth. What would come to signify wealth after the collapse of the empire?

Caligula

The Roman World Collapses

• The Middle Ages are often referred to as the Dark Ages – for what reason?

• Is this an accurate assessment of the period?

• What is the difficulty in assessing the beginning and end of this period?

The Roman World Collapses• How did the Roman Empire exist after the fall of the

west in A.D. 476?

Introduction to Feudalism

Introduction to Feudalism

• SS.912.W.2 Recognize significant events, figures, and contributions of medieval civilizations (Byzantine Empire, Western Europe, Japan). – SS.912.W.2.9: Analyze the impact of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire on

Europe. – SS.912.W.2.10: Describe the orders of medieval social hierarchy, the changing role of the

Church, the emergence of feudalism, and the development of private property as a distinguishing feature of Western Civilization.

Introduction to Feudalism

• Feudalism is the system in which society is highly stratified. Little social mobility is evident or available. The system relies on low-wage workers or serfs to work the land and provide for the king’s or nobles domains.

Monarch

Nobles

Knights

Serfs

Introduction to Feudalism

• In feudalism there exists another system in which nobles or kings offer land (fiefs) to other nobles (vassals) in exchange for military service and loyalty. As with everything in the Middle Ages it is not as simple as it sounds.

Introduction to Feudalism• They system was confusing

because it was possible for a vassal to be more powerful or control more lands than his lord. When Henry II ascended to the monarchy in England, he was technically a vassal of King Louis VII of France, he held more French lands than Louis.

• http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/atton1.html

• http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/endmiddle/bluedot/homage.html

Introduction to Feudalism

• I, Thiebault, count palatine of Troyes, make known to those present and to come that I have given in fee to Jocelyn d'Avalon and his heirs the manor which is called Gillencourt, which is of the castellanerie of La Ferte sure Aube; and whatever the same Jocelyn shall be able to acquire in the same manor I have granted to him and his heirs in augmentation of that fief. I have granted, moreover, to him that in no free manor of mine will retain men who are of this gift. The same Jocelyn, moreover, on account of this has become my liege man, saving however, his allegiance to Gerard d'Arcy, and to the lord duke of Burgundy, and to Peter, count of Auxerre. Done at Chouaude, by my own witness, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord 1200 in the month of January. Given by the hand of Walter, my chancellor; note of Milo.

» http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/endmiddle/bluedot/loyalty.html

Introduction to Feudalism• It is difficult to say that all of

Europe remained under feudalism for an extended period of time. Social, political, and religious institutions differed from region to region and nation to nation. No one system existed in all places at all times. It is akin to saying that the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have the same socio-political systems.

Europe Unified Under the Church• “Within this period western

Europe (or Latin Christendom, the terms being more or less analogous) regarded itself, and can be regarded, as a single society, in a sense in which it was not before, and has not been since. Of this outward and visible sign is the fact that Europeans were prepared to recognize in their society some sort of common authority.”

• Medieval Europe, Maurice Keen, p. 12

The Manorial System

• How did the class of serfs come into being?

• What did they owe the landowner?

• What did they receive in return?

• Did serfs have the opportunity for upward mobility?

The Manorial System

The Manorial System

The Manorial System

• “He received also a sufficient and handsome hall well ceiled with oak. On the western side is a worthy bed, on the ground, a stone chimney, a wardrobe and a certain other small chamber; at the eastern end is a pantry and a buttery. Between the hall and the chapel is a sideroom. There is a decent chapel covered with tiles, a portable altar, and a small cross. In the hall are four tables on trestles.”

The Manorial System• “There are likewise a good

kitchen covered with tiles, with a furnace and ovens, one large, the other small, for cakes, two tables, and alongside the kitchen a small house for baking. Also a new granary covered with oak shingles, and a building in which the dairy is contained, though it is divided. Likewise a chamber suited for clergymen and a necessary chamber. Also a hen-house. These are within the inner gate.”

The Manorial System

• “Likewise outside of that gate are an old house for the servants, a good table, long and divided, and to the east of the principle building, beyond the smaller stable, a solar for the use of the servants. Also a building in which is contained a bed, also two barns, one for wheat and one for oats.”

The Manorial System

• “These buildings are enclosed with a moat, a wall, and a hedge. Also beyond the middle gate is a good barn, and a stable of cows, and another for oxen, these old and ruinous. Also beyond the outer gate is a pigstye.”

• http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/endmiddle/bluedot/manor.html

Chivalry• Thou shalt believe all that the

Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.

• Thou shalt defend the Church.• Thou shalt respect all

weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.

• Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.

• Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.

Chivalry• Thou shalt make war against the

Infidel without cessation, and without mercy.

• Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.

• Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word.

• Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone.

• Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

Consolidation of Kingdoms

Consolidation of Kingdoms

• SS.912.W.2 Recognize significant events, figures, and contributions of medieval civilizations (Byzantine Empire, Western Europe, Japan). – SS.912.W.2.9: Analyze the impact of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire on

Europe. – SS.912.W.2.10: Describe the orders of medieval social hierarchy, the changing role of the

Church, the emergence of feudalism, and the development of private property as a distinguishing feature of Western Civilization.

– SS.912.W.2.11: Describe the rise and achievements of significant rulers in medieval Europe.

– SS.912.W.2.16: Trace the growth and development of national identify in England, France, and Spain.

Clovis and the Merovingians

• From the ashes of the western empire rose the Merovingian dynasty.

• Who was Clovis?• How did the Merovingians

organize their government?

Clovis and the Merovingians

Clovis and the Merovingians

• How did Merovingian rule differ significantly from that of the Romans?

• What is a fisc?• What does the term fidelis

mean?• How did the Frankish kings

suffer from their land-giving practice?

Clovis and the Merovingians

The “Hammer”

• North African Muslims had conquered the Iberian Peninsula, crossed the Pyrenees, and had designs for the complete submission of Christian kingdoms in western Europe. How was the Muslim incursion stopped?

Pippin the Short

• Who was Pippin the Short?• To where did he move his

capital?• How did Pippin gain the favor

of the pope and thus provide stability to his and his heir’s power base?

• How did problems that began under the Merovingians continue under the rule of the Carolingians?

Charles the Great

• Also known as Charlemagne• The son of Pippin the Short• How is the rule of

Charlemagne best described?

Chivalry

• La Chanson de Roland• Charlemagne’s troops march

through the Basque country of Spain to meet with the Muslim governor of the city of Saragossa

• What is Roland’s temperament, especially in regard to his step-father?

• How does the story illustrate the concept of chivalry?

Charles the Great• What was the importance of

Charlemagne’s coronation which was headed by the pope?

• “Him, the catholic Church of Europe took as its emperor.”

• St. Willehad

• Why would the Catholic Church ally itself with a secular king?

The Coronation of Charlemagne

Christmas Day, 800

Charles the Great

• “Your part is to aid our efforts with your prayers.”

• Charlemagne in a letter to Pope Leo III

Charlemagne’s Empire

Charles the Great

• How did Charlemagne maintain a high level of military organization?

• How did this organization benefit him?

Problems with Succession

• Both the Merovingians and Carolingians struggled with succession… why?

• What is primogeniture?• What happened following the

death of Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious?

Succession of Frankish Kings

Charles Martel “The Hammer”

Pippin “the Short”

Charlemagne

Louis “the Pious”

Lothar

Lothar II CharlesLouis IICharles “the Bald”Louis “the German”

Frankish Kingdom After Louis I

Problems for the Empire

• What problems did the empire experience that made it difficult to keep it together?