Middle Ages: Flashcards on the Early Medieval Social System

flashcards based on the Middle Ages, stopping at the manor system.

Early Middle Ages

476 - 1000 AD

High Middle Ages

1000 - 1250 AD

Late Middle Ages

1250 - 1450 AD

Chilvary

Code of conduct for knights

Charter

A written document that set out the rights & privileges of a town

The Franks

The Frankish kingdom expanded from Clovis to Charlemagne[2]. It stretched from present-day Spain up to Germany and south into Italy [2]. Capitals included Aachen and Rome [2]

Clovis

Developed the Franks into one of the strongest of the Germanic tribes in Europe.[2]

Baptized in 481 A.D.[2]

Battle of Tours

• Franks (Charles Martel) vs. Islamic Moors (Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi)

• Martel chose ground that would neutralize the

  Islamic cavalry.

• Stopped the advance of

  Islam into Europe.

• Tours, France

Charlemagne

• Charles the Great

• 747-814 A.D.

• Reigned for 46 years

• Grandson of Charles

• Martel.

• 800 A.D. he was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo

• III. (political move)

Charles Martel

Leader of the Franks in the Battle of Tours: he chose ground that would neutralize the islamic calvary/stopped the influence of Islam in Europe.

Carolingian Renaissance

• Emphasis on art and education, especially of a religious nature [3].

• Invention of lowercase letters (did not exist in Latin) [3].

• Missi Domenici were officials who would check on roads, listen to complaints, and ensure justice [3].

• Preserved ancient Greco-Roman culture

Treaty of Verdun (843 A.D.)

• Divided Charlemagne's empire into 3 parts:

• West Frankish Kingdom - France [4]

• East Frankish Kingdom - Germany [4]

Reasons for the break-up of Charlemagne’s Empire

• Lack of an effective tax system [5].

• Poor means of communication made it difficult to enforce laws [5].

• The German tradition of dividing land between sons[5].

• Attacks from Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims [5]

Feudalism

A loosely organized system of rule in which powerful lords divided their large landholdings among lesser lords [6].

Vassals were lesser lords [6].

Fief was an estate given to a vassal from a lord [6].

A lord could BE a vassal and HAVE vassals!!!! [6].

What was the agricultural revolution?

Period 1700s- 1800s during which machines and improved technology replaced manual labor/ traditional methods in farm

Revival in Trade

-increase populations so high need for goods

- merchants travel around Europe to sell goods in trade fairs

- regular trade routes were established

- peasants exchanged goods for crafts/ other goods not offer in manor

- Noblemen/ clergy bought luxury items life silk, sugar, fire

Give & Take of Feudalism: Lords

Agreed to protect vassals and serfs and provide a court system.

Give & Take of Feudalism: Vassals

Agreed to provide military service, pay taxes, give shelter, entertainment, and food [7].

Medieval Social Hierarchy

• King and lords were considered nobles [8].

• Peasants, or serfs, worked the land and had little interaction with their lords [8].

• Movement up or down between classes was almost non-existent [8].

how did towns develop?

-Fairs closed in autumn when roads were impassable

- merchants spent winters near castles/ bishop places

- Their centers of trade develop in medieval cities

What was the influence of guilds on towns?

- passed laws, levied taxes, and decided on what to spend

(over time diff trades developed their own guilds/ limited the amount of workers in their trade)

Knights

• Mounted Warriors.

• Knights usually started out as a Page and than moved up to a Squire before becoming a Knight.

• Feudal Lords battled constantly but as warfare died down knights began to compete in tournaments.

• Observed a strict code of Chivalry.

Manor System

An agricultural system based on self-contained estates called manors [9].

Serfs (peasants) worked the land for a Lord [9].

Serfs were not slaves but could not leave the Manor [9].

Serfs lived in one-room huts, often with their animals [9].

Serf's Daily Life

• Day began before sunrise with hard labor in the fields

  [10].

• Worked from dawn until dusk [10, 11].

• Took a short break to eat a simple meal, such as bread and stew [10].

• Returned to small, simple cottages [11].

• Tended to animals, ate a simple dinner, and mended clothes or tools [10].

Serf Family Roles

• Women also worked in the fields, took care of children, cooked, and made clothing [12].

• Children helped their parents with farming and household chores [12].

Lord/Lady's Daily Life

• Day started with a large breakfast [10].

• Lords might train for battle, hunt, or settle disputes [10].

• Ladies spent time managing servants and planning meals [10].

• Lived in large manor houses [13].

• The day often ended with a feast [10].

Noble Children

Educated by tutors, learning manners, religion, and sometimes combat skills [14].

Boys trained as knights, while girls prepared for marriage and household management [14].