Western Europe (Early Middle Ages) – Flashcards

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physical geography
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*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
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Eurasia
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*a large landmass that includes both Europe & Asia *reside on same tectonic plate - separated by the Ural Mountains
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Northwestern Highlands
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*physical region *stretches along the northwestern edge of EU *severe climate and thin soil supported a relatively low population density
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North European Plain
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*physical region *stretches from Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains *region's rivers & fertile soil support relatively high population density
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Central Uplands
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*physical region *stretch through central Europe *region's rugged plateaus & hills have served as primary source of natural resources, especially minerals
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Alpine Mountain System
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*physical region *stretches through southern Europe *region's towering peaks form the highest elevations in the continent
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bodies of water
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*extends into Atlantic Ocean, bordered by Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Norwegian Sea
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North Atlantic Current
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originates in the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf Stream, the warm waters and winds produce mild temperatures and plentiful rainfall (climate)
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medieval origins
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*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"
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Middle Ages
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*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)
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Christianity
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*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
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missionaries
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*(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
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pope
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*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
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papacy
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*office of the pope
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saints
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people who were considered holy
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monks
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*monks remained in secluded, isolated communities known as monasteries
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monasteries
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*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
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Clovis I
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*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
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Charlemagne
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*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)
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Pope Leo
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*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)
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doctrine
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a set of beliefs held and taught by the church
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excommunication
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*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
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kings
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*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)
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Pope Gregory
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*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
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King Henry
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*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
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foreign invaders
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*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
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feudalism
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*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
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lords
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high-ranking nobles who ruled landholdings
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knights
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*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
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fiefs
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*estates that knights received as payment where they could make money for their weapons, armor, & horses *included property such as towns, farmland, woods, & peasants
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vassals
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*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
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code of chivalry
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expected conduct for knights/vassals that stressed ideals such as courage, loyalty, & devotion
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manorialism
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*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
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manor
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*a fief granted to vassals *also called an estate
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freemen
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*peasants with legal rights *paid nobles for privilege of renting farmland *lived relatively unrestricited lives compared to serfs
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serfs
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*peasants legally bound to estates * endured challenging living & working conditions - couldn't own property, move/travel, or marry w/o permission of nobles
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social classes
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*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
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towns & cities
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*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
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Norman conquest
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*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
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Battle of Hastings
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*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
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William
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*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
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Domesday Book
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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
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