Unit 6: Middle Ages Flashcards
Clovis died in 511 A.D. His lands were divided into 4 sections among his 4 sons according to Frankish custom. What were his sons like and what were they known as?
His sons were weak and fought amongst themselves. They were known as the “Do Nothing Kings.”
Who was the power turned over to during “Do Nothing Kings” rule?
Power was turned over to the chief court official who was known as the “Mayor of the Palace.” Even though the Merovingians ruled until 751, the real ruler was the “Mayor of the Palace.”
In the 700’s the German kingdoms of Western Europe faced Invasion by Muslim armies. Who were the Muslim forces aiming at?
Muslim forces were aiming at France. Charles Martel, the Frankish Mayor of the Palace, rallied the Christians and led them against the Muslim invaders.
What was Charles Martel Nicknamed as? Why?
He was nicknamed ”The Hammer” because of his weapon of choice.
At the Battle of Tours, Martel and the other Christian solider defeated Muslim troops. Why was this important?
This was important because it was the furthest North that Islam reaches, essentially stopping its spread into Western Europe.
What Dynasty was founded after the defeat of the Muslims at the Battle of Tours?
Charles Martel founded the Carolingian Dynasty in the Frankish kingdom. He began to organize a strong central government.
Who was elected king in 741?
Charles Martel’s son Pepin was elected king by the Frank Nobles. This was approved and “consecrated” by the Pope. Pepin’s nickname was “The Short.”
The election of Charles Martel’s Son Pepin as king that was approved by the Pope began a connection between King and the Church. Why did the church need this “muscle?”
The Church needed this “muscle” because they were fighting against the Lombards, and were desperate for an ally. Because the Church crowned him, Pepin fought the Lombards and defeated them in Italy. This was known as the “donation of Pepin.”
After Pepin’s death, his son Charles continued to build a strong central government. What title was he given? What was his main goal?
Pepin’s son Charles impressed everyone in the empire so much that they gave him the title of Charles the Great, or Charlemagne. His main goal was to unite all Germanic tribes into a single Christian Kingdom. He conquered an empire that reunited large areas of the Western Roman Empire.
Who did Charlemagne defeat? What did he win back? What did he establish between Spain and Europe?
Charlemagne defeated the Lombards in Italy. He won back lands in Northern Spain from the Muslims after crossing the Pyrenees Mts. He established a buffer zone between Muslim controlled Spain and Christian Europe that was known as the “Spanish March.”
Who did Charlemagne also battle? What did he promote?
The non-Christian Saxons. He forced them to convert to Christianity. Charlemagne promoted Christianity throughout the empire by supporting the work of missionaries, and organizing parishes.
What did Charlemagne require each Christian to pay to support the parishes?
To support the parishes, each Christian was required to pay 10% or a tithe of their income to the Church.
Who did Charlemagne ally himself very close with?
He allied himself very closely with the Church. In 800, Pope Leo III was driven from his throne in Rome. He fled to Charlemagne’s court. Charlemagne brought the Pope back to Rome and reestablished the papal throne.
In gratitude, On Christmas Day, Charlemagne attended Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. What happened to him as he finished praying? Why was this considered a mixed blessing?
The Pope placed a crown on his head and all the people of Rome cheered. This was considered a mixed blessing because even when the Pope gave him the crown, he could still take it away. The crown bound him together with the church. This shows that the Pope still holds authority over the King.
Charlemagne established a strong government. Who did he recruit to govern all 300 of his districts and to carry out his policies? What were these people known as?
He recruited talented officials. They were known as Missi Dominici or Lord’s Messengers.
What did Charlemagne also establish? What was the thing he wanted to improve throughout the empire? What did he do to encourage education?
He established the Carolingian Renaissance: revival of learning. He wanted to improve learning in the empire. To encourage education, he invited scholars from all over the Europe to his court. Monasteries were established: schools and training for clergy.
The heirs of Charlemagne (his sons) lacked his wisdom and forceful character. What was Louis the Pious more concerned with instead of governing the empire? What were the results of this?
He was more concerned with religion. As a result, he lost support of the Church, rebellions started against him by the nobles, and even his sons rebelled against him.
After Louis the Pious, the Empire began to disintegrate under his sons. What Oath was signed in 842?
Louis the German and Charles the Bald met and signed the Strasbourg Oath, agreeing to work together against their brother Lothair.
What was the Treaty of Verdun?
After being harassed by his brothers, Lothair and the other 2 met and agreed through the Treaty of Verdun to divide the empire into three kingdoms.
What were the 2 reasons that Charlemagne’s empire collapsed?
- Incompetent and fighting grandsons
- The Empire was attacked by invaders
How was Charlemagne’s empire attacked?
The Magyars (Hungarians), nomadic people from Eastern Europe attacked in the East to the West. Muslims gained around in Italy. The most damaging invasions were the Vikings from the North!
What was the most long-lasting invasion that came against Europe? Why were these people forced to seek land in other parts of Europe?
The Vikings. They were forced to seek land in other parts of Europe because of:
- Overpopulation - Poor farming conditions in Scandinavia - Monasteries were an easy way to get rich quick on treasure and slaves - Primogeniture: younger sons received no land inheritance when the father died, the eldest son got the land - The Vikings enjoyed sailing and fishing
The Vikings were sailing from northern harbors in long boats. What did they burn and loot?
Towns, castles, churches and monasteries. Vikings exploded, raided, and traded along the rivers of Eastern Europe and Russia. They also went up against Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor was so impressed that he paid the Vikings to be elite soldiers in their army.
What were the other Viking Settlements doing?
- They invaded North Africa
- Discovered & built settlements in Iceland
- Discovered & settled in Greenland
- Established a settlement called Vinland in North America/Newfoundland
Viking warriors were well armed. What did they have?
Swords, Shields, spears, and heavy armor.
Who were the most feared Viking warriors?
The Berserkers. These men wore only bearskins for armor and would scream loudly as they ran into battle. Viking warriors would always fight bravely with the promise of glory ahead in the afterlife.
Vikings were extremely polytheistic. Where were warriors slain in battle carried to? Who carried them?
To Valhalla (Heaven) by the Valkyries (Daughters of Odin). In Valhalla, there were numerous fights/battles that warriors could still participate in as well as large
feasts and lots of drink.
Who was the god Odin?
He was the chief deity, God of War, and Knowledge.
Who was the god Thor?
He ruled over weather: he sends thunder and lightening.
Who was the god Frey?
He gives fertility to nature, men, and to their lands.
Where would a Viking Chieftain be buried? What would they bury him with?
A Viking Chieftain would be buried on a ship with everything that he would need in the afterlife: Weapons, Armor, Food and Slaves. Then the ship would be burned in the harbor or simply buried.
Around 100 A.D. the Viking terror which had raged for 200 years, slowly died away. Why was this?
- Europeans worked out a way to respond quickly to small scale invasions.
- Europe’s climate went through a warming trend which lasted for several hundred years.
- Like so many barbarians before, the Vikings gradually adopted Christianity.
Why were Vikings now less likely to raid?
Because they adopted Christianity. They decided that they needed to follow all the commandments, including no murder. The Vikings were the last great raiders to descend on Western Europe.
As the Roman Empire collapsed, people began to search for aid. They looked to large landowners or monasteries for this help. What was the system that grew out of this? What was at the center of this system?
The system that grew out of this was called Feudalism. At the center of this system were the relationships (how people related to each other) between different groups of people
In the Feudal System, who was at the top?
TOP - King. The most powerful in the land.
In the Fuedal System, who was below the King?
AFTER THE KING- Lords. Were most often wealthy landowners. They wanted/needed respect and protection. To gain respect and protection, they granted “fiefs” which were portions of land. Lords could rent land, receive income, and the food from the land.
