The document summarizes the key periods and developments of medieval Europe from around 500-1500 AD. It describes the early medieval period following the decline of the Roman Empire, followed by the high medieval period defined by the rise of new royal dynasties and systems of land inheritance. The late medieval period was marked by the devastation of the Black Death pandemic. Other developments discussed include the growth of languages, the feudal system of land allocation in exchange for military service, the role and hierarchy of the Catholic Church, and the rise of guilds and merchant class.

1. The Middle Ages

2. Medieval Europe: Stages
Early Medieval
Europe
(c. 500–1000)
High Medieval
Europe
(c. 1000–1300)
Late Medieval
Europe
(c. 1300–1500)

3. The beginning…Early Middle Ages
• Decline (failure) of Roman Empire
• Rise of Northern Europe
• New forms of government
• Heavy “Romanization” (religion, language,
laws, architecture, government)

4. High Middle Ages
• New royal dynasty(era) called Capetians in France
• System of primogeniture = system where eldest son inherited
everything (instead of dividing land / property / wealth)
• Lords and knights however had little loyalty and began
competing more fiercely(severely) for land, power, influence
and control

5. Late Middle Ages
• Black Death
• a devastating(shocking)
worldwide pandemic(disease)
that first struck(hit) Europe in
the mid 14th century
• killed about a third of Europe’s
population, an estimated 34
million people.

6. Birth of Modern Languages
• Development of Middle Ages
• New languages born through migration, resettlement, conflict
(battle)and changes
• Old English (Anglo Saxon) began to join words taken from
Latin and Old French, Old German and Old Norse
• Roots of contemporary(modern) Spanish, Italian and other
French languages

7. The Feudal System
• Under the feudal system, the king
awarded land grants or fiefs to his most
important nobles, barons(industrialist),
and bishops, in return for their
contribution of soldiers for the king's
armies.

8. Feudalism
A political, economic, and social
system in which land was
allocated in exchange for
services; roles and obligations
were clearly defined for all
participants
Grew out of Roman practices of
patronage(support)
Originally developed as a means of
protection and defense

9. Roles in the Feudal System
Lord (A man of noble rank or high
office;)
Vassal (A person or country in
a subordinate position to another)
Fief (property)
Manor (hall)
Serf (slave)

10. The Feudal Power Relationship
Monarch
Nobles
Lesser Nobles/Knights
Peasants

11. Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle

12. Parts of a Medieval Castle

13. Due to a lack of a strong central
government, warfare was frequent.
As a result, most nobles build their
own fortified manor houses.

14. The primary purpose of castles
was DEFENSE! Several methods
were used to protect the people
inside.

15. The first castles were made of wood, with long walls and
mounds of dirt(dust) packed around them.

16. By 1100, castles were made of
stone, with thick walls and turrets
(small towers). Most castles were
on hills and surrounded by a moat
or ditch.

17. The strongest part of the castle was called the “keep” and
contained living quarters, dining hall, and a basement (dungeon).

18. Surrounding the keep was a large open area called a
“bailey”. Many other buildings stood within the bailey,
including a chapel, storeroom, workshop, and barracks.

19. Castles were never luxurious. They were dirty and cold, built only for
military security. Even animals slept within the castle. There was no
glass in the windows and poor drainage.

20. The Catholic Church
• The Catholic Church was the only church in Europe during the
Middle Ages, and it had its own laws and large income.
• Church leaders such as bishops and archbishops sat on the
king's council and played leading roles in government.

21. • The Church becomes more
of a political entity(body)
• Struggles with monarchs
• Expanded land ownership
The Catholic Church Expands Its
Power

22. Bishops
• Bishops, who were often wealthy and came from noble
families, ruled over groups of parishes(communities) called
dioceses(districts).
• Many times, they were part of the feudal system and in
exchange for a fief and peasants had to provide homage and
military aid to a liege lord.

23. Catholic Church Hierarchy
The
Pope
Cardinals
Archbishops
Bishops
Priests

24. Guilds
• Guilds were established to gain
higher wages for their
members and protect them
from competitors. As the guilds
grew rich and powerful, they
built guildhalls and began
taking an active role in civic
affairs, setting up courts to
settle arguments and punish
criminals.

25. Guild Hall
 Commercial Monopoly:
 Controlled membership
apprentice(learner)  journeyman  master
craftsman
 Controlled quality of the product
Controlled prices

26. MedievalGuilds: AGoldsmith’s Shop

27. Crest(top) of a Cooper’s Guild

28. The Merchant Class
• The new merchant class included
artisans, masons, armorers, bakers,
shoemakers, rope makers, dyers,
and other skilled workers.

29. Masons
• The masons were the highest paid and most
respected from all the craftsmen. They were,
after all, responsible for building the
cathedrals, hospitals, universities, castles,
and guildhalls.