European Christendom, 500-1300
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Eastern Christendom: Byzantine Empire
Western Christendom, 500-900
Crisis & Technological Change, 850-1050
Western Xndom, 1050-1300
IDs: Hagia Sophia, vassal, Three Orders model,
Normans
Argument
• The creation of a decentralized system of
government, called feudalism or lordship, in
western Christendom, was a logical result of
needs for local defense, German/Viking
warrior culture and the military dominance of
mounted knights.
I. Eastern Christendom: Byzantine
Empire
• Wealthier
• More urban
• Orthodox
Christianity
• Greek
Church of the Hagia Sophia,
Constantinople
Eastern Europe &
Russia
converted by
missionaries
from
Constantinople
 Orthodox
Christianity
Byzantine Empire bears brunt of defense against
Muslim Armies: Protects Western Christendom
II. Western Xndom, 500-900
Early Middle Ages
A. Characteristics
rural
local
Roman (Catholic)
Christianity
Latin
B. Mix of 3 influences
1. Roman culture
2. Germanic culture
Warrior Aristocracy –
most respected
Roughly egalitarian society
“King” was a war leader
His band were tied to him
by personal
relationships & choice
Non-military decisions
made by council
3. The Church
1. Strongest centralizing
structure in Xndom
Priests
Bishops
Pope in Rome
2. Monasticism
Monasteries
Monks/nuns
Focus on
converting
Germanic kings,
then people
C. Government: Germanic
Kingdoms
Weak central
authority of
kings
Strong authority
of local lords
D. Big Exception: Charlemagne’s
Empire, c. 800
Charlemagne
Strong & successful warleader
Personal charisma
Support of churchmen
and warriors
Pope crowns
Charlemagne
“Roman
Emperor” on
Christmas
Day, 800
After his death, division & disintegration of
his empire
III. Crisis & Technological Change, 8501050
A. New
Invasions
• Vikings
• Muslims
• Magyars
B. Viking Technology
Ships
Keel
rudder
Viking Voyages: Plunder & Trade
Viking graffiti in
the Church of
the Hagia
Sophia in
Constantinople
C. From Raiders to Settlers:
“Normans”
Charles, King of
West Frankland
(later France)
Rollo, Viking Chief
 Duke of
Normandy
912
Political Solution
• Give invaders land
• Make their leader
acknowledge the
overlordship of the
king
• Convert them to
Christianity
• Result: New warriors;
new energy
• Normans rule in
Normandy, England,
Sicily & become
important Crusaders
William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy)
attacks England in 1066
Bayeux Tapestry
D. New Military Technologies, ca. 1000
1. The Castle
Peasants seek protection
• Local lord protects
peasants from invaders
• Peasants become his
serfs (bound to work
his land) and give him
produce & labor
2. The Stirrup
3. Mounted Knights
Human
Tank
E. Agricultural Inventions, ca. 1000
• Horse collar
• Heavy plow
Result: Agricultural
Revolution
F. Result: Big Shift in Western Xndom
ca. 1000
No more invasions
More wealth from land
Trade increases
Population increases
More power to knights
2 results:
System of Feudalism
(Lordship) expands
Western Christendom
starts expanding
outward (from
invaded to invader)
IV. Western Xndom, 1050-1300
“Medieval Europe”
A. Growth in power &
influence of The
Church, especially
pope
B. Gov’t.: Medieval European Feudalism or
Lordship (1100-1300)
Knights: Lord – vassal
relationships
Lord gives vassal a fief
(usually land) &
protection.
Vassal gives lord military
service & loyalty.
Vassal pledges homage to
lord.
Knight becomes a local lord, & rules
fief (manor & serfs)
C. Three Orders model
Those who pray
clergy
Those who fight
nobility
Those who work
peasants
(everyone else)
Reality
Vassals often not loyal
Constant warfare
No external enemy
Nobles & clergy take
agricultural surplus
from serfs.
D. Chivalry: “Civilizing” knights
1st Stage – 1000-1150 –
Military prowess & loyalty
2nd Stage – 1150-1300 –
Courtly love
E. Expansion of Xndom
Argument
The creation of a decentralized system of
government, called feudalism or lordship, in
western Christendom, was a logical result of
needs for local defense, German/Viking
warrior culture and the military dominance of
mounted knights.