The Middle Ages

Part I
Society
Background for the Middle Ages
Rome fell due to Germanic invasion
The empire collapsed
People got scared because it used to be safe
to travel
People rarely leave the house because it is no
longer safe
Church becomes powerful and the law

Background
Romes system of roads falls into disrepair
Roman military was no longer patrolling the
streets
Rome was no longer trading all over Europe
People were thinking If Rome could be
destroyed, imagine what could happen to us
Christianity spreads
German invaders began to
convert to Christianity.
The church begins to build
a safe society for
everyone.
Monks taught humility &
obedience
These communities also
became Europes best-
educated.

Charlemagne
742 CE
King of Franks
Charlemagne was a
Warrior Christian who
united most of Western
Europe
Wanted another society
like Rome.
His grandsons, however
eventually let the
empire fall.

Invasions spark Feudalism
In fear of more attacks,
a system of feudalism
was adopted.
This system basically
granted land to people
who would provide
protection.

Peasants
(serfs)
Knights
Nobles
King
Feudal System
Based on loyalty
King at the top
Provides land
Provides protection
Demands obedience in return
Feudal System
Below the king, were Nobles
Just below the king
Owned land
Merchants
Provided king with money in exchange for
protection of their wealth and future.

Feudal System
Knights
Military of the Middle Ages
These were the tanks of their day
Continuously trained for battle
Offered services of protection to king in
exchange for land and money
Lived according to Chivalry

Feudal System
Chivalry
Code of Honor for military to live by
Respect for your king
Respect for women
Defend the church
Defend the weak
Do that which is Right and Good ALWAYS
Jousting
Jousting began in the early 1200's to the late
1400's
Knights jousted for several reasons but the
main reason was for a woman (chivalry)
All you needed was a horse, lance and a
brave man.
Feudal System
Peasants (Serfs)
Mostly farmers
Uneducated
No chance of moving up
Worked land in return for protection
Were not free to move from kingdom to kingdom
Castles
Castles have been built for protection
Now they become self-sufficient states
People dont want to have to leave the
protection of the castle
Castle and surrounding manor should have
everything needed for people to survive
Raise food
Provide protection
Make clothes
Etc.
Castles
Characteristics
Defense
Moat
Towers
Soldiers
Gates
Walls

Castles
Characteristics
Food
Farms
Orchards
Fields for grazing (cattle, sheep)
Animals
River (or some source of water)