The Middle Ages

The Decline of the Roman Empire & the

Rise of Feudalism

By 500 A.D. Western Roman Empire fell to barbarian tribes:–Visigoths controlled Spain–Ostrogoths controlled Italy–Franks controlled Gaul (France)–Vandals controlled North Africa–Angles, Saxons, Jutes battled

for Britannia–Celts ruled Ireland & Scotland

Barbarians Ruled Western Europe

The Middle AgesAfter the fall of Rome, Western

Europe entered the Middle AgesMiddle Ages from 500-1300 A.D.

Reasons for the rise of Middle Ages:–No Roman emperor to make rules–No Roman army to protect people–No common language to unite them–No longer citizens of a common

empire; people now loyal to family members (clan) or feudalism

The “Dark Ages” The “Medieval” eraLatin blended with barbarian

languages to make Italian, French, Spanish, etc.

Decline of CivilizationConstant warfare among the

barbarian tribes & the Romans made it too dangerous to trade:

–With no trade, towns & cities became useless

–People built to farming villages to make food & find protection

–Priests became the only people who could read & write

No Roman Government?Without the Roman Government,

how are things different in Western Europe:–Trade?–Food? –Safety?–Leadership?–Language?–Religion?

No more tradeNo more tradeSelf-sufficient farmersSelf-sufficient farmers

Dangerous fightingDangerous fighting

No emperorsNo emperors

Different languagesDifferent languagesPolytheism

Without a centralized Without a centralized government, how does government, how does

a society function?a society function?

FeudalismFeudalism began in Europe as a

way to offer protection:

–Feudalism is a series of agreements between lords & knights in which lords offer land in exchange for loyalty & military protection from knights

–Lords built castles to protect peasants from outside invasions

Feudal Structure

Kings had land but very little powerLords (also called Nobles) were the upper-class landowners; they had

inherited titles (“Duke,” “Earl,” “Sir”)

Knights were specially trained soldiers who protect the lords & peasants

Some peasants were serfs & could not leave the lord’s estate

Medieval Castles

If you don’t own If you don’t own land or have money, land or have money, how do you survive?how do you survive?

Manorial SystemThe manorial system produced

the food for people to eat:–Lords allowed peasants to live

on their land in exchange for a portion of the food they grew

–Peasants agreed to pay “rent” to the nobles in exchange for shelter & protection

Peasant life was difficult: they were dependent upon the lords & got lots of diseases

I am the King!! I have so much

land!!

I think I’ll build myself a castle, but I have no power

so maybe I should give fiefs to some lords

Thank you king for this fief. As your

loyal lords we will oversee this land

We will fight for the king and provide him with food

from our lands, but this territory to too large.

Let’s pick the best land to build our homes on, then let’s give fiefs to some

vassals!!

Thank you lords for this fief. We promise loyalty, military

service, & a portion of our food

Let’s pick the best land to build our homes on!!

Aren’t we going to need protection, too?

Oh yeah, let’s give fiefs to some

knights also!

Let’s allow serfs to do all the work & provide us with food! We will gain

their work & loyalty

Thank you vassals for allowing us to live on this land. We provide you loyalty,

military service, & a portion of our food

According to the code of Chivalry, I will forever protect my lord & vassal, my

God, and my sweetie-pie at home!

The Power of the Christian ChurchMany people in Western Europe

after the fall of the Roman Empire were polytheistic but Christians converted many “barbarians”

In this time of chaos, the Christian church emerged as a stable & unifying force in Western Europe

The Power of the Christian ChurchCatholicism became the dominant

religion in Western Europe:–Without a common government

to hold everyone together, the Church filled an important role in peoples’ lives

–The Catholic Pope became the strongest political leader in Western Europe

The Power of the Christian ChurchEach territory in Western Europe

had a monastery (where monks lived) & provided order for the feudal manors:–Local priests were important

because the church taught that all people are sinners & need God’s forgiveness

–Christians paid a tithetithe (percentage of their food as a tax to the church)

Middle Ages in Europe Video

5:19

Europe’s Feudal State

4:50