Medieval Europe

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Medieval Europe
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The Early Middle Ages

• The Early Middle Ages began around 476- 1050 CE
  and were also known as the Dark Ages
• The Dark Ages was a time when little development
  in trade and social structure occurred
• The Late Middle Ages occurred from 1050-1450 and
  was a time that experienced some growth in trade
  and agriculture

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Feudalism

• Developed first on the continent of Europe and
  then on the island of Britain with the ruler and
  the ruled having clearly defined roles and duties

4
Political Developments

• Small independent kingdoms develop in Italy,
  Gaul, Spain, Germany, and Belgium (400s)
• The pope declares Charlemagne Emperor of the
  Romans (800)

5
Cultural Developments

• Christianity was brought to the pagans in
  Northern and Eastern Europe (400s-1100)
• Charlemagne reintroduced education and literacy
  to western Europe (800s)
• Roman style cathedrals were built in France and
  England (100)

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Technological/Economic Developments

• Wooden castles were built
• Heavy plough, horseshoe, and an improved harness
  improved crop harvests
• Horses began to replace oxen to plough fields
  (900s)

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Charlemagne

• Charlemagne means Charles the Great
• The church crowned him Emperor of the Romans in
  hopes of reestablishing the old western Roman
  empire
• Charlemagne ruled in modern day Germany
• His goals were to establish uniform laws through
  out his kingdom that were upheld by local judges

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• Art and culture thrived during his reign
• After he died civil war broke out in his kingdom
  and his heirs fought for control of his kingdom
• His 3 grandsons divided the kingdom into 3 parts
• The western part (modern day France)
• The eastern part (modern day Germany)
• The middle part ( Italy to the North Sea)