Early Middle Ages, Feudalism & Church Power

Flashcards about the Early Middle Ages, Feudalism, and the Church

What were the primary triggers and areas of change in the Western Roman Empire during the Early Middle Ages?

Centuries of chaos caused by Germanic peoples filling Rome, with loyalty given to chiefs, disrupting government, economy, and culture.

How did invasions impact trade and the economy during the Early Middle Ages?

Invasions disrupted trade, leading to the collapse of businesses and cities, and causing money to become scarce.

What resulted from the downfall of cities during the Early Middle Ages?

Collapse of cities led to decline of administration centers and institutions responsible for taking care of people.

What population shifts occurred as cities collapsed?

People fled to the countryside to grow their own food, while the wealthy retreated to latifundia.

What caused the decline of learning in the West?

Germanic peoples were illiterate, and surviving Romans focused on basic survival, leading to a decline in learning and literacy.

How did the loss of a common language occur and what was the result?

Small communities formed for protection, resulting in the loss of a common language and the emergence of Romance languages.

How did the concept of government change during this period?

Laws were unwritten and arbitrary, tribes pledged loyalty to chiefs in exchange for resources, and central rule was impossible due to lack of long-lasting allegiances.

Who was Clovis I?

King of the Franks who converted to Roman Catholicism, allied with the Church, and began the Merovingian Dynasty

What is a Majordomo?

Head steward of the royal household, becoming the most powerful person during the weakening Merovingian dynasty.

What was the significance of the Battle of Tours?

Charles Martel defeated the Muslim army at the Battle of Tours in 732, solidifying Christianity in Western Europe.

What actions did Pepin the Short take?

Pepin the Short named himself king, ending the Merovingian Empire and beginning the Carolingian Dynasty.

What were Charlemagne’s main accomplishments?

He created a larger empire than any since Rome, united western Europe, expanded Christianity, and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

How did Charlemagne manage his empire?

He established a royal bureaucracy, divided the empire into counties, limited the power of counts, and ensured just rule.

What was the role of Charlemagne in promoting education?

Charlemagne encouraged learning, supported schools and libraries, creating a short-lived revival of Hellenistic knowledge and Latin.

What led to the decline of Charlemagne’s Empire?

The Treaty of Verdun divided the empire into 3 kingdoms, ending the brief climb out of the Dark Ages.

What dangerous events led to the rise of Feudalism?

Saxons, Magyars, and Vikings ravaged the Carolingian Dynasty, creating a need for protection and ushering in feudalism.

What is Feudalism?

Landowners (lords) granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military protection.

What were the roles of peasants and serfs?

They were allowed to live on the lord’s land, required to raise food, pay taxes, and do whatever the lord asked.

What is the Manor System?

A self-sufficient estate owned by the lord, producing food, leather, clothing, and fuel.

What were the three main social classes?

Those who fought (knights and nobles), those who prayed (church officials), and those who worked (peasants and serfs).

What is Chivalry?

Religious, moral, social code of conduct for knights including devotion, protection, bravery, and courtesy.

What was the role of Medieval Women?

They could inherit estates but not fiefs, defended castles, and generally held little status if non-noble.

What was Pope Gelasius's concept of the two swords?

The Pope held a spiritual sword, and the emperor held a political sword, but they often fought over control.

What was the relationship between Christianity and wealth in the Middle Ages?

Clovis allied with the Church, and it became the wealthiest organization during the Middle Ages, with church officials wealthier than kings.

What actions did Pope Gregory I take?

He expanded the Papacy's power in politics, building an army, creating peace treaties, repairing roads, and helping the poor.

What is the Clergy?

Religious officials including Pope, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and Priests.

What were Monasteries?

Church communities where monks lived, raised food, recorded texts, and opened schools and libraries.

How did religion serve as a unifying force?

The Church provided Christians with a sense of security, community, a path to salvation, and unifying spiritual beliefs and rituals.

What are the Sacraments?

Important religious ceremonies administered by priests.

What is Canon Law?

Law of the Church regarding marriage and religious practices.

What were the tools of Church Justice?

Popes used the threat of excommunication and interdiction to wield power over political leaders.

How did Otto I build his power?

Otto I allied with the Church, modeled himself after Charlemagne, and gained support from bishops and abbots.

What were the signs of future conflicts within the Holy Roman Empire?

Italian nobles resented German rule, and Popes feared the political power of German emperors over Italy.

What is Lay Investiture?

A ceremony to choose/appoint bishops, leading to conflict between King Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII.

What happened at the Showdown at Canossa?

Henry traveled to Canossa to beg for forgiveness, and Gregory kept him waiting in the snow for three days before ending his excommunication.

What was the compromise reached in the Concordat of Worms?

The Church can grant a bishop his ring and staff, but the emperor had the power to veto the appointment.

What actions did Frederick I take that led to renewed conflict?

Frederick invaded Italy, angering the Pope and Italian merchants, and his army was defeated in the battle of Legnano.

How did German states remain separate?

German kings tried to revive Charlemagne's empire, leading to wars with Italian cities and further clashes with the pope, weakening German royalty.