The Middle Ages
Europe's great potential
Europe used to be Rome's territory with miles of roads and had spread many cultural ideas such as the Latin language and Christianity. But the Germanic people ended Rome's rule and started a new civilization.
Europe's potential could be divided into 2 parts:
1. Location: Europe is a small continent but it's impact on the world was great, it lies on the western end of Eurasia, the giant landmass that stretches from present day Portugal all the way to China.
2. Resources: Europe had great untapped potential.
a) Dense forest covered much of Northern Europe.
b) Rich black earth soils were better suited for growing crops than the Mediterranean.
c) The seas were important to provide fish for the people.
d) The seas also served as routes for trade and exploration.
e) Europe's rivers were ideal for trade and its many mountains streams were used for turning water wheels.
Europe's potential could be divided into 2 parts:
1. Location: Europe is a small continent but it's impact on the world was great, it lies on the western end of Eurasia, the giant landmass that stretches from present day Portugal all the way to China.
2. Resources: Europe had great untapped potential.
a) Dense forest covered much of Northern Europe.
b) Rich black earth soils were better suited for growing crops than the Mediterranean.
c) The seas were important to provide fish for the people.
d) The seas also served as routes for trade and exploration.
e) Europe's rivers were ideal for trade and its many mountains streams were used for turning water wheels.
A GREAT MONARCH, CHARLEMAGNE
Charlemagne was a great Frankish leader who reunited much of the old Roman Empire in Europe. He loved battle and was very successful. In the year 800, Pope Leo III called on the Frankish king for help against rebellious nobles in Rome. Charlemagne crushed the nobles and as a sign of gratitude, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Hole Roman Emperor. The result of the crowning helped widen the split between the eastern and western Christian worlds.
Charlemagne tried to exercise control over his many lands and create a united Christian Europe. He worked closely with the Church, helping to spread Christianity to the conquered peoples on the outskirts of his empire. During his reign, missionaries won converts among the Saxons and the Slavs. Charlemagne appointed local nobles to rule local regions. He gave them land so that they could offer support and supply soldiers for his armies. He also sent out officials to listen to grievances and make sure that justice was done.
A Revival of Learning
Charlemagne was concerned about the very low levels of education in his country, even the clergy were ignorant, so how could they trust that their words are correct from the bible? He also wanted officials to write complete and accurate reports. He made a school in the capital of Aachen and asked Alcuin of York (a respected scholar) to manage the school.
I think that Charlemagne was a great leader because he reunited his kingdom and improved much needed education, his legacy kept on going until it got crushed by Viking invaders.
Charlemagne tried to exercise control over his many lands and create a united Christian Europe. He worked closely with the Church, helping to spread Christianity to the conquered peoples on the outskirts of his empire. During his reign, missionaries won converts among the Saxons and the Slavs. Charlemagne appointed local nobles to rule local regions. He gave them land so that they could offer support and supply soldiers for his armies. He also sent out officials to listen to grievances and make sure that justice was done.
A Revival of Learning
Charlemagne was concerned about the very low levels of education in his country, even the clergy were ignorant, so how could they trust that their words are correct from the bible? He also wanted officials to write complete and accurate reports. He made a school in the capital of Aachen and asked Alcuin of York (a respected scholar) to manage the school.
I think that Charlemagne was a great leader because he reunited his kingdom and improved much needed education, his legacy kept on going until it got crushed by Viking invaders.
The Feudal Society
As shown in the picture, the feudal system was ruled by a monarch who had full power over the country, he appointed lords/nobles for support and gave them land, lords had some power in the country. The lords had manors and vassals who they supervised to provide services. The lesser lords, or vassals, got pieces of lands (fiefs) who they supervised under the higher lord's command. Below lesser lords are knights, who were respected mounted warriors that fought in the army. Peasants were normal folk who farmed and worked for lords and provided various services. The lowest level of people were serfs, they were servants who worked for nobles in the manor, they had very little rights. The serfs were not slaves but still didn't have their freedom.
The Life of Peasantry
For most peasants, life was harsh. Men, women, and even children worked for many hours, from sunup to sunset. During the planting season, a man might guide an ox-drawn plow while his wife goaded the ox into motion with a pointed stick. Children helped plant seeds, weeded, and took care if pigs and sheep. The family had a basic diet of black bread with vegetables such as peas, cabbage, turnips, or onions. They didn't have meat unless they poached wild animals, but at the risk of harsh punishment if caught. They would also eat fish if they lived near a river. When the family sleeps at night, any cows, chickens, pigs, or sheep slept together in a small one-hut room.
Seasons
Just like normal farmers, European peasants worked according to seasons. They plowed and harvested in spring and autumn, and during summer they hayed. In other times they did chores, repaired fences, and weeded. During winter, hunger was common since the harvest was held back because of the climate. Disease payed a big toll, and only a few peasants lived beyond the age of 35.
Celebrations
Although life was harsh, some days were days to celebrate, such as marriages and births. Breaks were taken on Christmas and Easter, when they had a week off from work.
Beliefs
Peasants sometimes attended chapel, after services they gossiped or danced, although the priest might condemn their rowdy behavior. In medieval Europe, many people believed on mystical creatures such as elves, fairies, and other nature spirits. They also believed in witches and that they could cast a spell with just a look. The priests tried to "Christianize" these beliefs by building churches in place of ancient temples, and instead of sacrifice to get good crops, the priests would bless the fields in the name of Christ.
Seasons
Just like normal farmers, European peasants worked according to seasons. They plowed and harvested in spring and autumn, and during summer they hayed. In other times they did chores, repaired fences, and weeded. During winter, hunger was common since the harvest was held back because of the climate. Disease payed a big toll, and only a few peasants lived beyond the age of 35.
Celebrations
Although life was harsh, some days were days to celebrate, such as marriages and births. Breaks were taken on Christmas and Easter, when they had a week off from work.
Beliefs
Peasants sometimes attended chapel, after services they gossiped or danced, although the priest might condemn their rowdy behavior. In medieval Europe, many people believed on mystical creatures such as elves, fairies, and other nature spirits. They also believed in witches and that they could cast a spell with just a look. The priests tried to "Christianize" these beliefs by building churches in place of ancient temples, and instead of sacrifice to get good crops, the priests would bless the fields in the name of Christ.
THE ROLE OF NOBLEWOMEN
Noblewomen as well as noblemen played active roles in this warrior society. The "lady" became "lord of the manor" while her husband or father was off fighting. She supervised vassals, managed the household, and performed necessary agricultural and medical tasks. Sometimes he might even have to go to war to defend her estate. Some medieval noblewomen, like Eleanor of Aquitaine, took a hand in politics. With 2 marriages she became first queen of France and later queen of England. Women's rights to inheritance were very low under the feudal system. Land was normally inherited by the eldest son in the family. Women fought for their rights and a led to fierce negotiations. Women only inherited land when their husband died before them. A noblewomen was trained for her role, before she was married, she was expected to be able to spin, weave, and supervise servants. Some learned to read and write and they were expected to bear many children and be loyal to her husband. When chivalry increased, troubadours (wandering poets) wrote love songs to praise the beauty of women across the ages.