Middle Ages

 

 

Setting/Stage
Disruption of trade: Invasions by the Huns and Vikings
Downfall of cities: With the downfall of Empires, people fled to the countryside
Religion: Christianity becomes secular
Spring and Summer are periods of war
Population shift: Rural population rises, people looked for food and protection
Learning goes to the wayside

 

Charlemagne - 771-814
Charlemagne's Actions Effects
Brother Carloman dies and Charlemagne takes control - Unites most of Europe under one ruler
- Continues to conquer Europe
Conquers new land - Spread Christianity
- Reunites Europe for the first time since Roman Empire
Crushes and unruly mob in Rome that threatened the Pope - Charlemagne crowned Emperor by Pope
Limited power of the Nobles - Strengthened his own power as sole ruler
- Agents watch over kingdom
Charlemagne encourages learning - Opened schools/Monasteries governed
- Surrounded himself with scholars

 

European Feudalism
King - Vassal to the Lord
- Granted land to Lords and Vassals
Higher Lords & Bishops - Granted land to Lesser Lords and Vassals
Lesser Lords & Vassals - Granted land to Knights in return for military service
- Granted land to Serfs
Knights - Granted land to their vassals and serfs
- Followed a strict code - chivalry
Serfs - Received small plots of land (fiefs)
- Bound to the land - similar to slaves
- Poor diets
- Taxed 1/10 to church and 1/2 to Lord

 

Economic System of Feudalism
Lord's Obligations Serfs' Obligations
Housing Work land - own and Lord's, care for animals
Land Housework
Protection Over taxed
Tools Work mills and run shops

Problems
- Serfs poorly treated - Serfs overtaxed
- Disease - Serfs are slaves to land
- Poor diet - Poor housing

 

Event/Area People Cause Effect
Use of jury system in England Henry II - Wanted to strengthen the Royal Court - Formed unified body of the law that became common law
Magna Carta, England King John - High taxes led to Nobles' revolt - Forced him to sign the Magna Carta
- Guaranteed rights: No taxation without representation; Jury trial, protection
Parliament, England Edward I - Needed to finance war, so he raised taxes - House of Commons and House of Lords - started model Parliament
French Appeals Louis IX - Wanted to be able to overturn lower court decisions - Strengthened Monarchy and weakened Feudal System
1st, 2nd, 3rd Estate, France Philip IV - Needed support to tax Bishops - Development of 3rd Estate
- Estate General

 

 

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