Notes

began to move into roman empire 3rd century
excluded roman from control from western control
in britain the angle and saxons took control
roman still have contron of the eastern part
the franks have modern day france and western germany and established by cloves after death kingdom divided by his sons
first ruler to convert to christianity
extended family was important. all property is passed down thru generations
higher the individual the bigger the fine
popes
archbishops
bishopric
parish
parish
parish
monks became christian heroes in the new european civilization
by 1050 most of western europe was catholic
women could become nuns and live in convents, which were headed by abbesses
Pepin
* cheif officer of the frankish kingdom
* assumed the kingship for himself
* son was Charles the great
Charles the great
* intelligent leader
* fierce warrior
* expanded Frankish kingdom
-The Carolingian empire was the largest european empire in history at the time
-800- Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the roman empire by the pope
after Charlemagne's death in 814, Europe was invaded by foreign powers
attacked in a bunch of different places
most devastating attacks came from the vikings
*used long boats as an advantage to attack towns and villages far from coast
Frankish rulers gave the vikings land in Normandy
As a result of invasions, the people of western Europe turned to local lords for protection
Came to dominate European warfare for nearly 500 years
Had a high degree of social prestige
Formed the backbone of European aristocracy
Vassals swore allegiance to a lord
Fief= land
In turn, the Vassal was given a fief and political control of it
The lord had to provide land and protection
Nobles and Knights attended tournaments where the Knights would demonstrate fighting skills
Nobles and Knights began to follow and idealized code of ethics called Chivalry
Lower class women had few rights, but aristocratic women had opportunities to pay important roles.