Western Europe (Early Middle Ages) – Flashcards

*2nd smallest continent *part of Eurasia - lie on same tectonic plate, separated by the Ural Mountains *forms a "peninsula of peninsulas" extending into the Atlantic Ocean *4 major physical regions: NW Highlands, N European Plain, Central Uplands, Alpine Mtn System *bodies of water (surrounding): Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea *climate: relatively mild climate despite its northern location; North Atlantic Current

*a large landmass that includes both Europe & Asia *reside on same tectonic plate - separated by the Ural Mountains

*physical region *stretches along the northwestern edge of EU *severe climate and thin soil supported a relatively low population density

*physical region *stretches from Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains *region's rivers & fertile soil support relatively high population density

*physical region *stretch through central Europe *region's rugged plateaus & hills have served as primary source of natural resources, especially minerals

*physical region *stretches through southern Europe *region's towering peaks form the highest elevations in the continent

*extends into Atlantic Ocean, bordered by Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea

originates in the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf Stream, the warm waters and winds produce mild temperatures and plentiful rainfall (climate)

*After Rome's fall, conquered ppl from neighboring territories settled in the remains of W Europe *settlers established rival kingdoms marking the beginning of the Middle Ages - a period that occurred between the ancient & modern times *another name for era is medieval: Latin term meaning "middle age"

*period lasting from AD 500 to 1500 *a period that occurred between the ancient & modern times *another name for era is medieval (a Latin term)

*a religion, helped establish a common identity throughout region *practiced in areas formally controlled by the Roman Empire (Italy & Spain), spread north of the Alps & the Pyrenees Mountains through efforts of missionaries & monks *as Christianity spread into N. Europe, a political transformation began - the Christian Church in Rome began supporting the tribal leader, Clovis I who united the rival tribes, emerged as king of the Franks. *The developing relationship between the Frankish kingdom & the Christian Church (Rome) marked the formation of an alliance between the papacy & European monarchies

*(definition) people who attempt to convert others to a particular religion *over the years, numerous popes spread their beliefs through missionaries (representatives) *for their devotion, many recognized as saints *1st places representatives sent was Great Britain, after converting many inhabitants missionaries went into France & Germany *not all religious missions were directed by popes - ex. Patrick one of 1st missionaries to travel to Ireland & credited with establishing Christianity

*the bishop of Rome *head of the Christian Church, regarded as God's representative on Earth (followers looked to him for guidance about life) *his duty to determine doctrine *could administer punishment if he believed that an individual contradicted church doctrine

*office of the pope

people who were considered holy

*monks remained in secluded, isolated communities known as monasteries

*influenced society by providing services were unavailable to majority of population: -ran schools & copied books for those unable to read/write -collected & saved ancient writings from Greece & Rome -served as scribes & advisors to local rulers -spread Christianity into new regions

*as Christianity spread into N. Europe, a political transformation began *AD 480s, rival tribes conquered Roman province of Gaul (France) *The Christian Church (Rome) began supporting THIS tribal leader after his conversion > united rival tribes > emerged as king of the Franks *The developing relationship between the Frankish kingdom & the Christian Church (Rome) marked the formation of an alliance between the papacy & European monarchies

*late AD 700s, Frankish kingdom reaches its height *kingdom doubles in size, includes modern-day France, Germany, & the northern portions of Italy & Spain *based on conquests, becomes known as "the Great" *for 1st time since fall of Rome, a majority of W. Europe was under the control of a singe empire *restored Pope Leo III to his position > for his gratitude, Pope Leo III crowned him emperor on Christmas Day *his coronation regarded as an important event in European history: established a precedent where pope claimed political authority to bestow the title "Roman Emperor" on a European king < sets stage for future conflicts to maintain a delicate power of balance (power struggles)

*pope was ousted from his position after an uprising *reinstated as pope by Charlemagne *to show gratitude, crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire sets stage for future conflicts to maintain a delicate power of balance (power struggles)

a set of beliefs held and taught by the church

*the pope or bishops could cast out an individual from the church if that offender was engaged in activities that contradicted church doctrine *feared by Christians because they believed that an individual who died while excommunicated would not enter heaven

*AD 1000, W. Europe had numerous kingdoms ruled by monarchs with little power *England, France, & the Holy Roman Empire were exceptions bc they were under the firm control of powerful monarchs who came to throne through various means of succession (inherited positions, elected by nobility) *when disputes arose over the succession, leaders deferred the final decision to the source of spiritual power (pope)

*sought to end the practice of kings selecting church officials *AD 1075, declared the papacy had supreme authority to appoint religious leaders & remove monarchs from power *excommunicated Henry after he encouraged bishops to remove him from power *urged nobility to overthrow their emperor *refused to meet with Henry after he came to personally request forgiveness

*monarch of the Holy Roman Empire *encouraged bishops to remove Pope Gregory from office *Gregory excommunicated him in retaliation *traveled to Italy to save his throne and personally request the forgiveness of the pope > stood barefoot in snow for 3 days outside of castle where pope was *eventually he was reinstated back into church

*AD 814, empire divided into 3 kingdoms after Charlemagne's death > declined due to centralized authority & effective leadership *foreign warriors seized the opportunity to invade the region = becoming a source of constant conflict & warfare *bc kings were unable to provide protection, nobles took over the responsibility of defending their landholdings *as they remained loyal to their kings, nobles began to rule territories as independent provinces = medieval society

*political system based on mutual relationships that existed btwn nobles (lords & vassals) *manorialism increased supply of of products while feudalism safeguarded merchants as they traveled

high-ranking nobles who ruled landholdings

*warriors who fought on horseback (military service) and protected the noble's landholdings *expected to follow code of chivalry *expected to bravely defend their 3 masters: heavenly Lord, earthly feudal lords, & chosen ladies *protect the weak & the poor

*estates that knights received as payment where they could make money for their weapons, armor, & horses *included property such as towns, farmland, woods, & peasants

*knights who promised to support their lords in exchange for fiefs (military service & protection) *low-ranking nobles *provided money to their lords on special occasions: weddings & knighthood celebrations *benefited from their service

expected conduct for knights/vassals that stressed ideals such as courage, loyalty, & devotion

*an economic system based on the mutual relationships that existed btwn nobles & peasants *bc military service was demanding, vassals needed a workforce to grow crops (revenue) *peasants needed land to grow crops *MUTUAL NEED: nobles provided peasants housing, farmland, & protection: while peasants grew crops, raised livestock/poultry & performed tasks for nobles *social classes: nobles - lords & vassals, clergy; peasants - freemen & serfs *brought about population growth > increasing availability of food *manorialism increased supply of of products while feudalism safeguarded merchants as they traveled *the success of feudalism & manorialism brought about the demise of it > opportunity to generate wealth through trade motivated people to relocate from estates *w/out adequate workforces, manors struggled to maintain their revenue-generating capabilities = knights began to to demand money as compensation rather than estates

*a fief granted to vassals *also called an estate

*peasants with legal rights *paid nobles for privilege of renting farmland *lived relatively unrestricited lives compared to serfs

*peasants legally bound to estates * endured challenging living & working conditions - couldn't own property, move/travel, or marry w/o permission of nobles

*developed out of the mutual relationships that existed btwn feudalism & manorialism *divided into the following order: the Church (clergy), nobles & peasants *CHURCH: prayed for salvation of all members of society *NOBLES: fought to defend all members of society *PEASANTS: worked to feed all members of society

*manorialism brought population growth by increasing availability of food *food surpluses enabled members to engage in professions that broadened amount of traded goods *manorialism increased supply of of products while feudalism safeguarded merchants as they traveled *enabled nobles to repair trade routes to foreign markets = developed into important centers of trade *the success of feudalism & manorialism brought about the demise of it > opportunity to generate wealth through trade motivated people to relocate from estates *w/out an adequate workforce, manors struggled to maintain their revenue-generating capabilities

*England remained unaffected by feudalism & manorialism, existed as a UNITED KINGDOM of Anglo-Saxon tribes *AD 1066, a struggle for the throne erupted btwn an English noble and William, the Duke of Normandy - a relative of the late of the Anglo-Saxon king *William (royalty) lived in a region of N. France that had been conquered by Vikings (Normans/Northmen) *having adopted elements of French culture (language & religion), William launched a military campaign to secure his right to the English throne: the Battle of Hastings *crowned the 1st Norman king of England on Christmas Day AD 1066 at Westminster Abbey *to strengthen his reign, William seized land of English nobles and distributed among Norman knights *unified control of England, established a foundation for centralized government - an event that transformed the kingdom into one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe (still has not been successfully invaded since this conquest, 1000 yrs ago) *instituted a system of taxation based on the results of a census (1st performed in England since Roman Empire) *Domesday Book *the mixing of Anglo-Saxon & Norman customs established a distinctive English culture = connection btwn England & mainland Europe

*William, the Duke of Normandy, launched a military campaign to secure his right to the English throne *invaded the southeastern coast of England, Norman archers & calvary decisively defeated English foot soldiers *based on this victory, William became known as William the Conqueror

*the Duke of Normandy *secured his right to the English throne by invading England in the Battle of Hastings *becomes known as William the Conqueror

a manuscript where the results of the census that William the Conqueror instituted were compiled in a comprehensive book that recorded the extent, value, and ownership of land in England