Unit 6: Middle Ages

Question 1

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?

Answer 1

His sons were weak and fought amongst themselves. They were known as the “Do Nothing Kings.”

Question 2

Who was the power turned over to during “Do Nothing Kings” rule?

Answer 2

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.”

Question 3

In the 700’s the German kingdoms of Western Europe faced Invasion by Muslim armies. Who were the Muslim forces aiming at?

Answer 3

Muslim forces were aiming at France. Charles Martel, the Frankish Mayor of the Palace, rallied the Christians and led them against the Muslim invaders.

Question 4

What was Charles Martel Nicknamed as? Why?

Answer 4

He was nicknamed ”The Hammer” because of his weapon of choice.

Question 5

At the Battle of Tours, Martel and the other Christian solider defeated Muslim troops. Why was this important?

Answer 5

This was important because it was the furthest North that Islam reaches, essentially stopping its spread into Western Europe.

Question 6

What Dynasty was founded after the defeat of the Muslims at the Battle of Tours?

Answer 6

Charles Martel founded the Carolingian Dynasty in the Frankish kingdom. He began to organize a strong central government.

Question 7

Who was elected king in 741?

Answer 7

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.”

Question 8

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?”

Answer 8

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.”

Question 9

After Pepin’s death, his son Charles continued to build a strong central government. What title was he given? What was his main goal?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Who did Charlemagne defeat? What did he win back? What did he establish between Spain and Europe?

Answer 10

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.”

Question 11

Who did Charlemagne also battle? What did he promote?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What did Charlemagne require each Christian to pay to support the parishes?

Answer 12

To support the parishes, each Christian was required to pay 10% or a tithe of their income to the Church.

Question 13

Who did Charlemagne ally himself very close with?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

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?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

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?

Answer 15

He recruited talented officials. They were known as Missi Dominici or Lord’s Messengers.

Question 16

What did Charlemagne also establish? What was the thing he wanted to improve throughout the empire? What did he do to encourage education?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

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?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

After Louis the Pious, the Empire began to disintegrate under his sons. What Oath was signed in 842?

Answer 18

Louis the German and Charles the Bald met and signed the Strasbourg Oath, agreeing to work together against their brother Lothair.

Question 19

What was the Treaty of Verdun?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What were the 2 reasons that Charlemagne’s empire collapsed?

Answer 20

• Incompetent and fighting grandsons
• The Empire was attacked by invaders

Question 21

How was Charlemagne’s empire attacked?

Answer 21

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!

Question 22

What was the most long-lasting invasion that came against Europe? Why were these people forced to seek land in other parts of Europe?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

The Vikings were sailing from northern harbors in long boats. What did they burn and loot?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What were the other Viking Settlements doing?

Answer 24

• They invaded North Africa
• Discovered & built settlements in Iceland
• Discovered & settled in Greenland
• Established a settlement called Vinland in North America/Newfoundland

Question 25

Viking warriors were well armed. What did they have?

Answer 25

Swords, Shields, spears, and heavy armor.

Question 26

Who were the most feared Viking warriors?

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

Vikings were extremely polytheistic. Where were warriors slain in battle carried to? Who carried them?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Who was the god Odin?

Answer 28

He was the chief deity, God of War, and Knowledge.

Question 29

Who was the god Thor?

Answer 29

He ruled over weather: he sends thunder and lightening.

Question 30

Who was the god Frey?

Answer 30

He gives fertility to nature, men, and to their lands.

Question 31

Where would a Viking Chieftain be buried? What would they bury him with?

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Around 100 A.D. the Viking terror which had raged for 200 years, slowly died away. Why was this?

Answer 32

- 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.

Question 33

Why were Vikings now less likely to raid?

Answer 33

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.

Question 34

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?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

In the Feudal System, who was at the top?

Answer 35

TOP - King. The most powerful in the land.

Question 36

In the Fuedal System, who was below the King?

Answer 36

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.

Question 37

In the Feudal System, who was below the Lords?

Answer 37

AFTER THE LORDS - Vassals. They would swear a solemn oath to their lord in a ritual that was known as “investiture.” As a vassal, he had essentially complete control over the land given to him and everything/everyone on it. Could coin money, wage war, make alliances, or collect tolls. The only thing that he was required to do was defend his lord if called to do so. The main goal as a vassal was to try and increase your power over even lower individuals within society. If you were a vassal, you would be required to perform certain services: - Might have to serve as a solider for a couple of months or serve in some other capacity. - As time went on, a vassal could pay “shield money” instead of serving the lord. - This meant to pay someone else to fight for you. If a vassal did not fulfill his obligations or didn’t have any heirs, their lord could take his land.

Question 38

There was a lot of fighting over land, family honor, and other rights. What was there a real need for because of this?

Answer 38

Knights.

Question 39

What did knights wear?

Answer 39

Knights wore protective armor and to help distinguish themselves from other knights, they added a “coat of arms” to their shields. Adding distinct family symbols became known as “heraldry.”

Question 40

What was the first step the Church took to try and reduce feudal warfare?

Answer 40

Peace of God: If anyone plundered a church, monastery or other holy place, or if they killed non-combatants, they wouldn’t be given sacraments. Some sacraments - marriage, baptism & Eucharist (communion)

Question 41

What was the second step the Church took to try and reduce feudal warfare?

Answer 41

Truce of God: Prohibited fighting between sunset on Wednesday and sunrise on Monday and during holy seasons - Advent, Lend and others. Although a lot of knights disregarded these “laws,” they faced excommunication if they were found to be in violation of them.

Question 42

Sons of nobles were expected to become knights. At what age were the sons sent to another lord’s castle for training? Who would teach him Christian values and manners? What would these young boys start as?

Answer 42

At age 7. During this time, the lady would teach him Christian values and manners he would need. They would start as a “page.”

Question 43

What Christian values were the pages being taught by the ladies in a lord’s castle?

Answer 43

Respect for women, singing, dancing, and a musical instrument. At some points even to read, write and do math.

Question 44

Once a page had learned everything he need to know front he lady, he became a “squire.” What was the squire age? What did he do, and what did he learn to do?

Answer 44

The age of 14. He served the lord in the castle and on the battlefield. He would carry armor and guard prisoners. He learning how to handle weapons and how to ride well.

Question 45

At what age would a man have reached the point to become a night? What did the young man have to do before the knight ceremony? When did the real training begin?

Answer 45

Age 21. Before the ceremony, the young man had to spend a night in chapel praying for guidance. After taking Communion, he would be knighted. Sometimes, because of bravery, the man would be knighted on the battle field. The real training began when knight would start jousting and participating in tournaments.

Question 46

Two daughters of nobles also received treading. What would they learn how to do? What would they gain? What did they run?

Answer 46

They would learn how to supervise servants, do needlework, make sure the house ran smoothly, and to work with medicine to take care of her family. Even though she was subject to her parents and then to her husband (chosen by her parents), women would often gain some independence when their husbands were off fighting. They ran the estate during these times.

Question 47

During the Middle Ages, a clear code for how men should conduct themselves brought order. What was this code? What did it blend?

Answer 47

This code, “chivalry” covered areas of conduct and love. It blended Christian virtue, with the virtues that a knight would need: bravery, loyalty and courage.

Question 48

What things could happen to a knight if he fell short of the ideal?

Answer 48

- His shield could be hung upside down - Armor could be stripped from him - Weapons would be broken - Would be placed in a coffin and carried to a church where a priest would hold a funeral service and declare him dead to honor.

Question 49

Feudalism is was the relationship between lords and vassal. What percent of the population do lords make up? What was the rest of the population made up of? What was this system known as?

Answer 49

Lords made up 10% of the population. The other 90% of the population were peasants who worked the land. This system was known as “manorialism.” In exchange for protection, they would farm the “manor” for either the church or the lord.

Question 50

The manor had a few different features. What was the manor house?

Answer 50

This is where the lord lived with his family. Was usually a 2 story wooden home. This wood house was replaced with a thru castle.

Question 51

The manor had a few different features. What was the area called the “village?”

Answer 51

This consisted of anywhere from 10-50 families, depending on the size of the manor, who lived in an area of homes that were irregularly scattered. These homes were one-room cottages with first floors.

Question 52

Much of the population had diminished because of manorialism. What did villages evolve into? What changes occurred?

Answer 52

Villages evolved into cities. Houses were build 2-3 stories high. Walls were built around the city for protection. The biggest building in the town was often the Church and the biggest open space was the marketplace.

Question 53

Other features of the manor included a church, often a well or spring, and then the fields. What was the lords land called? What was the peasant’s system known as?

Answer 53

The land was divided into the lord’s land, called the demense, and the peasants’ land. Peasants used a system known as the 3 field system: each person had 3 strips of land. One piece was for fall, one was for spring and the other was fallow. The peasants would have to work the lord’s land at least 3 days a week.

Question 54

There was very little room for each person and sanitary conditions were poor. What did people do? What did this cause?

Answer 54

People simply threw garbage and other waste directly into the street. Because of this disease and fire were rampant.

Question 55

Where would people gather? What did the merchants use to indicate what was on sale?

Answer 55

People would gather at the marketplace where merchants would have their goods on display. They would often hang a symbol (twisted pretzel, anvil, etc.) over their shop to indicate what was for sale.

Question 56

What was the Church concerned with at the start of the Middle ages? What did the Church begin to focus on over time? Where did people make a pilgrimage to?

Answer 56

At the start of the Middle Ages, the Church was concerned with carrying the Gospel to nonbelievers. Over time, they began to focus on talking back the Holy Lands, which had fallen to the Seljuk Turks. People had make pilgrimage to Jerusalem for a long time and Muslims permitted them.

Question 57

What happened in 1085? What did pilgrims now face?

Answer 57

After the Turks defeated Jerusalem in 1085 they cracked down on Christians coming to the city. Pilgrims now faced a much more dangerous journey, so the goal became to take back Jerusalem.

Question 58

Who did the Byzantine emperor Alexis Comenus I ask to send help to the East in 1091?

Answer 58

He asked Pope Urban II

Question 59

Who did Pope Urban the II long to reunite? What did he call this?

Answer 59

Urban longed to have the East reunited with the Western Church and asked nobles to help in unifying the church. He called this a Crusade and the purpose was to bring the Chruch back together and to free the Holy Land of “infidels.” (Muslims)

Question 60

How many people joined the in first Crusade? What kinds of people were these?

Answer 60

Close to 100,000 people. They were soldiers, knights, and non-combatants.

Question 61

What were the 4 motives for participating in the first Crusade?

Answer 61

- Obligation/obeying God’s will - Hope of wealth and land or to improve status - Adventure and opportunity to escape from their lives as peasants - Payment for sin or hoped to achieve salvation

Question 62

What did Peter the Hermit do?

Answer 62

He assembled a group of 30,000 peasants that set out for the Holy lands before all of the nobles were ready.

Question 63

What did Peter the Hermit’s group of 30,000 peasants do? What happened to many of them?

Answer 63

They set out for Constantinople and killed many Jews along the way. When they finally arrived in Jerusalem, many of them were either killed or sold into slavery.

Question 64

Where did the Crusaders finally arrive in the Spring of 1099? What did Godfrey and his troops do?

Answer 64

After taking many important cities, the Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem, in the spring of 1099. Even Godfrey and his troops broke through the walls, a massacre began of Muslims, Jews and even Christians dressed in “Eastern clothes.”

Question 65

What did most Crusaders want to do after achieving victory? What happened to the land? What was built?

Answer 65

Most Crusaders wanted to return to their homes. The land, though, needed protecting and was divided up into four kingdoms. They built a fortified castle in each city, a few of which can still be seen today.

Question 66

Who were the Knights of Saint John?

Answer 66

(hospitalers): Purpose for pilgrims in the Holy Lands. Also began to fight Muslims.

Question 67

To help move pilgrims to and from the Holy Land and to maintain Christian troops there, there were three religious military orders that were founded. Who were the Teutonic Knights?

Answer 67

They were originally founded as a charitable group.

Question 68

To help move pilgrims to and from the Holy Land and to maintain Christian troops there, there were three religious military orders that were founded. Who were the Templar Knights?

Answer 68

They were the most famous. 3 knights took vows of poverty, charity, and obedience. They sought to help the pilgrims.

Question 69

What ended up happening to these religious military orders?

Answer 69

Over the years they became extremely wealthy and ignored their original intent. Have been linked to a number of different storied over time.

Question 70

What did the Muslim army do? Who were they led by?

Answer 70

After being defeated, the Muslim army fought back, and were led by Saladin who committed himself to taking Jerusalem back from the Christians. He was able to do this in 1187 after defeating the crusader leader Guy of Lusignan.

Question 71

What was the third Crusade based around? Who was it led by?

Answer 71

It was based around Christians attempting to regain the Holy city and was led by Richard the Lion Heart from 1189-92. He didn’t regain the city, but was able to sign a treaty in 1192 so Christians could take pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

Question 72

What were none of the cities able to do even though there were 4 more crusades?

Answer 72

Even thought there were four more crusades, including one organized snd led by children, none were able to regain the city of Jerusalem.

Question 73

What were the 4 impacts of the Crusades?

Answer 73

- Introduced Europeans to a broader world. - Increased trade between Europe & eastern Mediterranean. - The crusades increased religious tolerance, especially among Christians and Muslims. - The relationship between Jews & Christians continues to be tense.

Question 74

How was learning at the beginning of the Middle Ages? We’re monks educated in the past? What did Charlemagne commit resources and manpower to making sure of?

Answer 74

Learning was almost nonexistent. Many monks weren’t as educated as in the past. Charlemagne was disgusted with the lack of learning. He committed resources and manpower to making sure that this trend didn’t continue.

Question 75

What was one of the major debates that grew out of Charlemagne’s efforts? What did Thomas Aquinas argue?

Answer 75

One of the major debates that grew out of this “revival in learning” was the roles of faith and reason. Thomas Aquinas argued that they were not in conflict with one another.

Question 76

What was education connected to though most of the Middle Ages? Where were young boys trained? What were young boys taught how to do?

Answer 76

Education was connected to the Church. Young boys were trained in monasteries. They were often taught how to read and write, though some were “song schools” and focused on singing.

Question 77

What would a child often learn how to do if they were not fortunate enough to be in a religious school?

Answer 77

They would often learn how to farm or do other work from their parents.

Question 78

What were the 3 parts of the School Curriculum in the Renaissance?

Answer 78

Bible Study, Writings of Church Fathers, and Decrees of Church Councils

Question 79

Finally, they expanded to a “liberal arts” type of education. There were two different sections. What was the Trivium?

Answer 79

Grammar (read/write Latin), Logic, and Rhetoric

Question 80

Finally, they expanded to a “liberal arts” type of education. There were two different sections. What was the Quadrivium?

Answer 80

Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy, and Music.

Question 81

In the early Middle Ages, books were quite rare and expensive. How were books copied? How long did this take? Were they perfect?

Answer 81

Books were often copied by hand and took weeks to complete. They were also often filled with errors in grammar and spelling.

Question 82

What was one notable indididual during this time of books?

Answer 82

A Benedictine monk named Venerable Bede.

Question 83

What did religious schools do after the year 1000?

Answer 83

Religious schools began to expand.

Question 84

What were Nobles’s sons beginning to be admitted to?

Answer 84

Schools. Even though it was clear they were not going into the work of the Church.

Question 85

Occasionally even a bright serf might be allowed into be educated. One of these serfs who rose to do great things. What was his name?

Answer 85

Gerbert.

Question 86

Gerbert decided that the words of the Chruch would not be the only source of education for his students after being sent to Spain for more study. What did his students have to do?

Answer 86

They had to read classical authors and even Islamic and Jewish authors too.

Question 87

How long did Gerbert serve after being crowned pope in 999?

Answer 87

4 more years.

Question 88

During the 1100’s, universities grew out of the cathedral schools. What was there a need for?

Answer 88

Greater learning in areas like law and medicine, which weren’t being taught in the Church.

Question 89

Where would students move to? Why?

Answer 89

Because there were few individuals who were trained in these areas, students would often move to where the teachers lived. In these environments, ideas were shared and intellectual growth occurred.

Question 90

How did the Treaty of Verdun divide up the land between the three brothers?

Answer 90

Western Kingdom/France - Charles Eastern Kingdom/Germany - Louis Middle Kingdom (Land from the North Sea to Italy) - Lothair