By Joseph Enge

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By Joseph Enge
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• I. The period in history between the breakup of
  the Roman Empire (approx. 500 AD) and the
  Renaissance (approx. 1400 AD) has become known as
  The Middle Ages, The Medieval Period, and The
  Dark Ages in Europe, especially Western Europe.

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• A. In place of the government and order the Roman
  Empire had provided, a new system called
  feudalism came about.

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• B. The Christian Church provided the only
  unifying force, during the Middle Ages, for
  Europe. It provided government services
• where no non-religious government existed. And,
  of course, it bound believers together.

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• II. Under feudalism, ruling power was held by
  lords who owned the land.
• A. Vassals were granted land by a lord,
  called a fief, according to a contract.
• 1. serfs were slaves (to a land parcel.)
• 2. villeins were free but did not own land,
  rented it instead.

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• B. Manors were estates (areas of land) with a
  lord's manor house (castle) and demesne (lord's
  barns, stables, etc.) at the center. Lords often
  had help

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• 1. stewards were legal advisers who reviewed
  accounts and held court.
• 2. bailiffs supervised peasants (serfs) and farm
  work, collected rents, dues, and fines.
• 3. reeves helped bailiffs, but also reported
  peasant complaints (about manor officials) to the
  lord.

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• C. Marriages were usually "arranged" and a dowry
  was expected.

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• D. Feudal manor houses (castles) usually had big
  stone towers, called keeps, to provide safety
  during an attack.
• 1. High walls with walkways near the top and
  moats that could be crossed only by using the
  drawbridge also protected the manor house.
• 2. The castles themselves, however, were
  filthy, dark, and cold.

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• III. The Christian Church crossed feudal boundary
  lines.

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• A. European Christians believed only the Church
  could give eternal salvation through the seven
  sacraments.
• B. But also, the Church handled many government
  services it was powerful.

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• C. Heresy (holding religious beliefs contrary to
  established church doctrine) was punishable by
  excommunication (out of the church, no
  sacraments, no salvation) or burned at the stake.
• D. Pope Innocent III declared himself above any
  other (human) ruler around 1200 and said the word
  of the Church was final.

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• E. The Church had become rich through tithes,
  gifts, and feudal inheritance.

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• F. Between 1095 and 1291 the Crusades were fought
  to regain the Holy Land (Jerusalem, etc.) for the
  Christians.

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• IV. Toward the end of the Middle Ages towns and
  cities redeveloped.

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• A. Trade over large areas increased.
• 1. Money replaced barter.
• 2. Interest was charged on loans.
• 3. Credit made trade travel safer.

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• B. Overcrowding in towns brought problems.
• 1. Poor sanitation brought plagues, such as
  bubonic plague (black death).
• 2. Also, a new middle class of businessmen
  emerged they
• formed guilds.

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• V. Finally, united countries formed, headed by
  strong monarchies.

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• A. Merchants (with money) wanted safety between
  towns and cities.

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• B. England, France, and Spain formed between
  1450 and 1600.
• C. Germany and Italy did not unite until the
  1800's.