Why would someone build one of these things? What does it tell you about the kind of life people led when it was built? What are the advantages and disadvantages of building one of these? The Foundations of Christian Society in Western Europe

Overview Charlemagne While other parts of the world were experiencing great prosperity during the postclassical era, Europe's economy declined after the fall of the Roman Empire. Long- distance trade did not entirely disappear, significant developments took place in agricultural production, and there were brief periods of government consolidation; nevertheless, early medieval Europe was a world dominated by rural self-sufficiency and political decentralization. In spite of its seeming "backwardness" compared to the other great empires of the postclassical world, Europe was laying the foundation for the development of the powerful society that would emerge during the high middle ages. That foundation rested on: Hard-won political order, restored out of disruption caused by the fall of the Roman Empire, centuries of destructive invasions, and dramatic depopulation. This order was based on a highly decentralized but flexible system that vested political, military, and judicial authority in local and regional rulers. A long, slow process of economic recovery based first on increased agricultural production within the rural manorial system to be followed by gradually increasing trade, industry, and commerce and the eventual reurbanization of Europe. The cultural unity provided by the Christian church based in Rome. During this period Roman Christianity provided the impetus for cultural continuity and unity in Western Europe. The office of the papacy and the monastic movement were two powerful institutions that helped to preserve Roman traditions and develop and consolidate a uniquely European culture. While other parts of the world were experiencing great prosperity during the postclassical era, Europe's economy declined after the fall of the Roman Empire. Long- distance trade did not entirely disappear, significant developments took place in agricultural production, and there were brief periods of government consolidation; nevertheless, early medieval Europe was a world dominated by rural self-sufficiency and political decentralization. In spite of its seeming "backwardness" compared to the other great empires of the postclassical world, Europe was laying the foundation for the development of the powerful society that would emerge during the high middle ages. That foundation rested on:

Timeline of the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe The Fall of Rome Clovis baptized and starts Franks Merovingian Dynasty Pope Gregory I Merovingian Kingdom Carolingian Kingdom 732 Battle of Tours Charles Martel leads Franks to victory over Muslim invaders Charlemagne crowned emperor by Pope Leo III 962 Holy Roman Empire King Otto I of Saxony crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the pope

The Middle Ages in 3 ½ Minutes

Germanic Successor States to the Roman Empire c. 500 Last Roman emperor deposed by Germanic Odoacer, 476 CE Administrative apparatus still in place, but cities lose population Germanic successor states: Spain: Visigoths Italy: Ostrogoths Gaul: Burgundians, Franks Britian: Angles, Saxons

The Franks Heavy influence on European development Strong agricultural base Shifts center of economic gravity to Europe Firm alliance with western Christian church Clovis ( ) Major Frankish leader Destroyed last vestiges of Roman rule in Gaul Dominated other Germanic peoples Franks establish themselves as preeminent Germanic people Clovis Conversion to Christianity Paganism, Arian Christianity popular among Franks Clovis and army choose Roman Catholicism Influence of wife Clotilda Political implications: Alliance with western church

The Carolingians Charles The Hammer Martel begins Carolingian dynasty Defeats Spanish Muslims at Battle of Tours (732) o Halts Islamic advance into western Europe

The Carolingian Empire Charlemagne (r ) Grandson of Charles Martel Centralized imperial rule Functional illiterate, but sponsored extensive scholarship Major military achievements Capital at Aachen, Germany Yet constant travel throughout empire Imperial officials: missi dominici (envoys of the lord ruler) o Continued yearly circuit travel Hesitated to challenge Byzantines by taking title emperor o Yet ruled in fact Pope Leo III crowns him as emperor in 800 o Planned in advance? o Challenge to Byzantium

Louis the Pious (r ) Son of Charlemagne Lost control of courts, local authorities Civil war erupts between three sons Empire divided in 843

Dissolution of the Carolingian Empire South: Muslims East: Magyars North: Vikings Norse expansion begins c. 800 CE Driven by population pressure, hostility to spread of Christianity Superior seafaring technology Sailed to eastern Canada, northeastern US

The Vikings From village of Vik, Norway (hence Viking) Boats with shallow drafts, capable of river travel as well as open seas Attacked villages, cities from 9 th century Constantinople sacked three times Carolingians had no navy, dependent on local defenses Norse Merchant Mariners Commerce or plunder as convenient Link with the Islamic world for trade

England Viking invasions force consolidation of Angles, Saxons and other Germanic peoples under King Alfred (r ) Built navy Fortified cities against attack Germany and France King Otto of Saxony (r ) defeats Magyars, 955 Proclaimed emperor by Pope in 962 Establishment of Holy Roman Empire France endures heavy Viking settlement Loss of local autonomy

Early Medieval Society Concept of Feudalism Lords and vassals Increasingly inadequate model for describing complex society Ad hoc arrangements in absence of strong central authorities

Organizing in a Decentralized Society Local nobles take over administration from weak central government Nominal allegiances, esp. to Carolingian kings But increasing independence

Lords and Retainers Formation of small private armies Incentives: land grants, income from mills, cash payments Formation of hereditary class of military retainers Development of other functions Justice, social welfare Potential for Instability Complex interrelationship of lord-retainer relations Rebellion always a possibility Nevertheless, viable large states developed (Germany, France, England)

Manors Large, diverse estates Lord provides governance, police, justice services Serfs provide labor, income Origins of Serfdom Slaves, free peasants in both Roman and Germanic societies Heavy intermarriage Appeals to lords, special relationships Mid-7 th century: recognition of serf class Midway between slave and free peasant Serfs Rights and Obligations Right to pass on land to heirs Obligation to provide labor, payments in kind to lord Unable to move from land Fees charged for marrying serfs of another lord

Economy of Early Medieval Europe Agricultural center moves north from Mediterranean 8 th century iron-tipped plow introduced in Europe Draft animals bred Water mill technology Agricultural output insufficient to support growth of cities Strong Mediterranean trade despite Muslim domination of sea

Population Growth of Europe, CE

The Franks and the Formation of Christian Europe Clovis conversion forms strong alliance with Roman Christianity Church supplies Clovis with class of literate information workers: Scribes secretaries Protectors of the Papacy Charlemagne destroys Lombards, who threatened Pope, Rome Spreads Christianity in northern areas (like Saxons who convert to Christianity) Support of scholarship, scribal activity

Pope Gregory I ( CE) Gregory the Great Asserted papal primacy Prominent theologian Sacrament of penance Major missionary activity, especially in England

Monasticism Egyptian origins, 2 nd -3 rd centuries Monastic lifestyle expands 4 th century Large variety of monastic rules Range from extremely ascetic to very lax

St. Benedict ( ) and St. Scholastica ( ) St. Benedict ( ) Established consistent rule for monasteries Poverty Chastity Obedience St. Scholastica ( ) Sister of St. Benedict Adapts Benedictine Rule for convents

Monasticism and Society Accumulation of large landholdings, serfs Social welfare projects Esp. labor contributions Expansion of literacy Inns, orphanages, hospitals