Class
The Early Middle Ages
Notes
Guiding Question: Were the Middle Ages in Europe characterized more by hope or despair?
The Middle Ages, or medieval period, lasted from about 500 to 1500.
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It was a time of war and plunder, of hardship and suffering.
Also a period of renewal – In slow stages, Europeans built a new civilization consisting of:
Greco-Roman and Germanic traditions within the framework of the Christian Church.
The Franks:
During the early Middle Ages, many Germanic tribes set up small kingdoms in Italy, Gaul, Spain,
Britain, and North Africa.
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They were constantly at war with one another.
Eventually, however, the kingdom of the Franks grew very strong and established control
over much of the Western Roman Empire. This was mainly due to the great and powerful
king Clovis.
Clovis’ reign reached an important turning point when he converted to Christianity and
earned the support of many of his new subjects.
The Age of Charlemagne:
For a time around 800, Western Europe had a moment of unity when the grandson of Charles
Martel built an empire reaching across France, Germany, and part of Italy.
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The founder of this empire is known as Charlemagne or Charles the Great.
Charlemagne crushed rebellions, created a united Christian Europe, kept accurate records,
and promoted education and learning.
After Charlemagne died in 814, his empire fell apart. His heirs battled for power for nearly
30 years and although his empire crumbled, he left a lasting legacy.
Feudalism: After Charlemagne’s empire fell apart, invasions by Vikings, Muslims, and Magyars
left kings and emperors too weak to maintain law and order. In response to this basic need for
protection, feudalism evolved.
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Feudalism was a loosely organized system of rule in which powerful local lords divided
their large landholdings among the lesser lords. In exchange for land, the lesser lords,
or vassals, pledged service and loyalty to the greater lord.
Class
Notes
The High Middle Ages
Guiding Question: Were the Middle Ages in Europe characterized more by hope or despair?
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During the High Middle Ages, conflict over power between the monarchs and the popes
increased. This conflict usually centered on who would control appointments to high
Church offices.
Learning, Literature, and the Arts: By the 1100s, Europe was experiencing dynamic changes.
No longer was everyone occupied with the daily struggle to survive.
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Improvements in agriculture were creating a steadier food supply.
The revival of trade and growth of towns increased prosperity.
The need for education expanded and cathedral schools evolved into the first universities.
The works of Aristotle and Greek thinkers spread after being translated into Arabic and
Latin.
The Later Middle Ages: A series of crisis including plague and war in the Later Middle Ages
transformed European society.
The Black Death –
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Also known as the Bubonic Plague – caused by fleas on Asian black rats and brought to
Europe on ships returning from Asia.
The disease spread due to many factors such as overcrowding, malnutrition and poor
hygiene.
Unaware of what a flea bite might mean, people paid little attention until they noticed the
swellings and black bruises on their skin that promised death.
Fear of the plague and heavy restrictions lead to revolts. The population and economy in
cities suffered dramatically.
The Hundred Years’ War –
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On top of the disasters of famine, plague, and economic decline came a long, destructive
war.
Between 1337 and 1453, England and France fought a series of conflicts, known as the
Hundred Years’ War.
English rulers battled for centuries to hold only the French lands and in 1337, Edward III of
England claimed the French crown. War erupted.
17 year-old French peasant girl, Joan of Arc persuaded the King that God had sent her to
save France and he let her lead his army against the English. Although she led the French to
many victories, she paid for success with her life.
Outcomes – The French used their powerful new weapon, the cannon to permanently
remove England from France. Feudal society began changing and the recovery of the late
Middle Ages set the stage for further changes during the Renaissance, Reformation, and
Age of Exploration.