Middle Ages

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Middle Ages

• Semester 1 Day 58

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Feudalism

• After the death of Charlemagne the Carolingian
  Empire fell apart
• Europe invaded by Magyars, Muslims and Vikings
• The Vikings were given land to be known as
  Normandy and converted to Christianity

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Feudalism (cont)

• For protection people turned to local landed
  aristocrats (nobles) to protect them
• Powerful lords offer protection in exchange for
  service
• Vassals would swear loyalty to leaders and fight
  for them
• Transformed from foot soldiers to knights
• Granted land in exchange for military service
• The land grant was known as a fief
• No single government

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Nobility in the Middle Ages

• Society was dominated by men whose chief concern
  was warfare
• Nobles were kings, dukes, counts, baron, bishops
  and archbishops held political, economic and
  social power

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Knighthood and Chivalry

• Knights went through years of training to be
  warriors on horseback
• Knights were trained warriors
• Trained through tournaments
• Chivalry knights code of ethics
• Warfare during this time is very brutal
• Songs and poems were written that glorified
  knights and chivalry Song of Roland
• Troubadours traveling poet-musicians

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Aristocratic Women

• Could legally hold property
• Most remained under control of men
• Managed household when men were away
• Most famous Eleanor of Aquitaine
• Heiress to duchy of Aquitaine
• Married to Louis VII, king of France, at age 15
• Annulled
• Married King Henry II of England
• Two of her sons became kings of England (John and
  Richard)

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Peasant Women

• Labored endlessly at home and in the fields
• Very poor and powerless

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Vocab Assignment
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Honors Assignment
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Regular Assignment
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