medieval history review

Meaning of medieval: middle age in history (medi:middle, ev:age)

Timeframe of medieval period: 476 CE-1450 CE

  • 476 CE: Fall of Roman Empire

  • 1450 CE: Fall of Constantinople, printing press, Black Death

Cause of Rome’s fall

  • Last Emperor removed by German leader, Odoacer

  • Attacked by Visigoth’s, Vandals, (German tribes)

  • Divided empire

Effects of Rome’s fall

  • Roads & trade routes broke down

  • Cities declining in safety/importance

  • Country side becomes safer

  • Loss of authority (chaos)

  • No emperor to enforce laws/order

  • Learning and culture slowed

Europe after Rome

  • Europe in chaos

  • Constant warfare/invasions

  • No strong central rulers

  • Kingdoms small and unstable

  • Local leaders rise in power

  • Ppl turn to church for stability

Feudalism:

  • Defined as political/social system of loyalty

  • Everyone owed service to someone above (land or service exchanges)

  • Land/fiefs granted for military labor

  • Kings on top/control kingdom

  • Obligations linked everyone together

  • Duty/loyalty kept order

How Kings Gained Power:

  • Hereditary/family lines

  • Power based on land/armies

  • Church gave them “divine authority”

  • Wars of succession common

Great Chain of Being: Belief that all life has a set place

  1. God

  2. Angels

  3. Kings

  4. Nobles

  5. Knights

  6. Peasants

Divine Right of Kings

  • Idea that King’s authority comes from God

  • Disobeying king=disobeying god

Purpose of Family Crests

  • Symbols used to identify families

  • Nobles/knights use coats of arms

  • Shows power, values, heritage

  • Symbols/colors have different meanings

  • Displayed on shields/clothes, banners

Role of Monarchs

  • Govern

  • Make laws

  • Oversee justice

  • Lead wars

  • Protect kingdom

  • Maintain divine right

  • Support church

Role of Nobles

  • Manage land

  • Collect taxes

  • Provide soldiers to kings

  • Loyal to monarch

  • Host guests

  • Uphold chivalry

Role of Knights

  • Fight for lord/king

  • Protect peasants

  • Uphold chivalry

  • Train in combat

  • Serve loyally

  • Display honor

Role of Peasants and Serfs

  • Farm

  • Pay rent and taxes

  • Labor for lord

  • Provide food for people

  • Work fields

Chivalry

  • Code of honor for knights

  • Bravery

  • Respect

  • Loyalty

Geoffrey Chaucer

  • 1343-1400

  • Medieval English poet

  • Made texts available for average people

  • “Father of English literature”

  • Writes in “Middle English” (different than regular English)

  • Author of Cadbury Tales

Pilgrimage

  • Trip for a religious purpose

Role of Catholic Church

  • Guide people’s spiritual life

  • Controlled education and learning

  • Tithes/money offerings payed off sins (10% of your earnings)

  • Organized holidays, festivals

  • Monks translated bibles

  • Excommunicated people from church

The Black Death

  • Boubonic death

  • Spread by black rats

  • Contagious and kills 1/3 of Europe, Asia

  • Fluid filled spots