Middle Ages

500-1500 AD

Middle Ages

The period in weastern European history from the fall of the Roman Empire until 1500

Why Dark Ages?

Termed because of lack in morality, cultural advancements, govermental stability and overall pssimism about life

Germanic Tribes

Ethnic Tribes that claimed European territory after the fall of Rome

Germanic Tribes Names

-ostrogoth -Visigoths -Vandals -Burgundians -Franks -Clets - Saxons -Angles

From Tribes to kingdoms

As time passes, the different tribes unite and begin to establish Kingdoms under one ruler

Clovis 1

Frankish Ruler, First king of the Franks who united the entire nation from 466-511

What did Clovis 1 do?

Converted to Catholicism - Weastern Europe is now exclusively Christian, considered founder of France

Charles Martel “The Hammer”

Ruler of the Franks from 686-741, Given credit for keeping Europe from converting to Islam

In what battle did Martel lead the Franks in?

Battle of Tours, lead Franks against Muslim invaders

Charlemagne “Holy Roman Empire'“

Intigration of Church and state, and struggled for power with the Pope

What did Charlemagne do?

Expanded his Kingdom to include most of Weastern Europe

2 Groups of people, Where?

Celts-the original people of England, now used to describe the culture of Irish Scotish Welsh Anglo-Saxons-Mix of Angles, Jutes, Saxons

Alfred the Great

Built English Navy and encourged writing of the English language and also defended England from the Vikings

What did Alfred the great see value in doing?

In education so he set up schools to teach English and Latin

What did Alfred the Great become sick with?

Crohns disease

Legacy

Unites England under one King

Vikings

Sailors, traders, and warriors of the Norsmen people in Scandinavia 

What time period was known as the Viking Age or when the Vikings raided the rest of Europe?

793-1066

A popular misconception was Height but really-

the average Viking was around 66-69 in tall, not giants

A popular misconception was they were all Warriors but really-

Not all savage Warriors looking for fights, most were traders

Why were there England Invasions?

Seeking Gold and loot and population explosion in Scandinavia, some who glorified war and violence

Bersekers

Most feared of the Viking Warriors, worked for themselves into a murderous frenzy before battle, VERY crazy

Battle of Malden

Allowed Vikings to conquer middle England this was called Danelaw

Why did Viking Expansion happen?

-Expert sailors with long boats -Eric the Red sets up colonies on Greenland, his son Leif Ericson reached new found land, Canada in 1000 AD ~ Discovered new World before Columbus

What lead to the the decline of Vikings?

-Christianity spread to Scandinavia and promotes Morals -European nations devolped better navies and securities to coasts -Feudalism brings more security to peoples lives -Vikings taught new sailing techniques to others which opened a door for exploration

What are 3 Countries make up Scandinavia?

-Russia -Finland -Sweden

Feudalism

Exchange of land for Millitary protection

Lord

Man who owns and gives land

Vassal

(Knights) recives land, provides protection for lord

Serfs

Peasents, works the land

Feifs

Land received, including peasents