Charlemagne and Medieval Europe

Charlemagne and Feudalism

• Charlemagne, also known as "Charles the Great," united regions now known as France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Spain.
• Crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by the Pope on Christmas Day, he was a pivotal figure in European history.
• Developed feudalism, where lords ruled lands under a king and citizens paid lords for protection and land use.

Castles in Medieval Europe

• Castles served as fortified structures, evolving from simple motte and bailey designs to more complex stone Gothic and concentric castles.
• Gothic castles featured tall structures with arches and detailed work, while concentric castles had layered walls for enhanced defense.
• Represents the military architecture and social structure of the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries).

The Manorial System

• Central to feudalism, a manor was a large estate granted by the king to a lord, serving as the local government hub.
• Peasants worked the lord's demesne for shelter and food, with a strenuous six-day workweek.
• The manor house included multiple rooms and structures, with defenses like walls and moats, reflecting the lord’s wealth.

Knights and Chivalry

• Knights, often of noble birth, participated in jousts for training and followed the strict Code of Chivalry, emphasizing honor, bravery, and respect.

The Crusades

• A series of holy wars between Christian Europeans and Islamic Arabs from roughly the 11th to 13th centuries, sparked by the Pope's call to reclaim the Holy Land.
• Only the first Crusade was deemed successful, leading to cultural exchanges that influenced Europe.

King Henry II and Thomas Becket

• Became king of England in 1154, improved the judicial system, and married Eleanor of Aquitaine, gaining French territories.
• Clashed with Thomas Becket over church vs. king’s authority, ultimately leading to Becket's death in 1170.

The Magna Carta

• Signed by King John in 1215, it limited the power of the monarchy and established rights such as trial by jury and consent for taxation.
• Influenced modern democratic principles including those in the U.S. Constitution.

British Parliament

• One of the oldest representative legislatures, evolving from an advisory meeting to a bicameral system, controlling the British government.

The Hundred Years' War

• Lasted from 1337 to 1453, fueled by competing claims to the French throne by English and French kings.
• Introduced military advancements like the longbow and cannon, significantly impacting the nature of warfare.

Joan of Arc

• A key figure during the Hundred Years' War, known for her visions that inspired French victories, ultimately captured and executed for heresy.

The Black Death

• The bubonic plague, rampant in the 14th century, led to the deaths of over 50 million people and is known as the deadliest pandemic in history.

The Seven Years' War

• Marked a shift in power in Europe, boosting British colonial influence while diminishing France’s, highlighting the economic roles of joint-stock companies.

The French and Indian War

• A conflict (1754-1763) over territory in North America that led to increased tension between Britain and its colonies, culminating in the American Revolution.

Proclamation of 1763

• Issued after the French and Indian War, aimed to stabilize relations with Native Americans and restricted colonial expansion westward, causing resentment.

The Townshend Acts

• A series of British laws imposing taxes on goods to raise revenue and assert control, sparking colonial protests and unrest.

Rising American Identity

• As tensions escalated due to taxation without representation, colonial identity began to form, unified under the motto “No taxation without representation.”

The Boston Massacre

• Occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers killed five colonists during rising tensions, uniting colonial sentiment against Britain.

Crispus Attucks

• Considered the first casualty of the American Revolution, his death in the Boston Massacre symbolized resistance against British oppression.

The Boston Tea Party

• A protest organized by the Sons of Liberty in 1773 against the Tea Act, where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor, escalating tensions.

The Intolerable Acts

• A response to colonial dissent, these laws closed Boston Harbor and revoked local self-government, further solidifying the path to revolution.

First Continental Congress

• Convened in September 1774 to address the Intolerable Acts, marking an important step toward collective colonial action against British rule.

Explore the significant impact of Charlemagne on European history, including the rise of feudalism and the development of the manorial system. Learn about the evolution of castles and their role in the military and social structures of the Middle Ages. This quiz will test your knowledge of these pivotal historical themes.