Early Medieval Europe: Key Concepts

Early Medieval Europe

• The Gospels/New Testament: Teachings of Jesus Christ, foundational texts of Christianity.
• Constantine and Christianity: Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, becoming the first emperor to convert.
• Edict of Milan (313 CE): Declared religious freedom in the Roman Empire, legalizing Christianity.
• Bishops: High-ranking Christian clerics, overseeing dioceses, pivotal in church governance.
• Monasteries: Religious communities, centers of learning, preserving manuscripts.
• Franks: Germanic tribe establishing a powerful kingdom in Western Europe, with leaders like Clovis and Charlemagne.
• Counts: Local officials appointed by rulers, administering justice and managing territories.
• Missi Dominici: Charlemagne's royal emissaries, supervising local authorities, ensuring laws were upheld.
• Pope Leo III: Crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800 CE, marking a precedent for Church-state unity.
• Einhard: Charlemagne's biographer, author of "The Life of Charlemagne," praising his leadership.
• Carolingian Renaissance: A cultural revival during Charlemagne's reign, emphasizing learning, art, and manuscript preservation.
• Treaty of Verdun (843 CE): Divided Charlemagne's empire among his grandsons, weakening central authority.
• Longships: Advanced Viking ships, designed for raiding, exploration, and fast travel.
• Fief: Land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service.
• Lord: Noble landowner, granting fiefs and providing protection.
• Vassal: Person receiving a fief and pledging loyalty and military service to a lord.
• Serfs: Peasants bound to a lord's land, providing labor in exchange for protection.

Key Dates

• 313 CE: Christianity legalized in the Roman Empire (Edict of Milan).
• 476 CE: Fall of the Western Roman Empire.
• 800 CE: Charlemagne crowned emperor by Pope Leo III.

Rome

• Pax Romana: 200-year period of peace, stability, fostering trade, culture, and infrastructure in the Roman Empire.
• Rome's Problems: Economic instability, overreliance on slave labor, military overspending, political corruption, and invasions by Germanic tribes.
• Rome's Legacies: Legal systems, engineering (aqueducts, roads), art, and Christian influence.

Christianity

• Life, Death, and Message of Jesus Christ: Jesus' teachings on love, forgiveness, and salvation; his crucifixion under Roman authority, and belief in his resurrection.
• Roman Official Response: Initial persecution of Christians, later legalization and acceptance under Constantine.
• Spread: Missionaries like Paul spreading Christianity across the Roman Empire.
• Why Convert?: Promise of eternal life, inclusive nature, and appeal to the poor.
• Catholic Church Hierarchy: Pope > Cardinals > Bishops > Priests > Deacons > Laity.

Germanic Migrations and Invasions

• Tacitus on Germanic Culture: Valued bravery, loyalty, and simplicity; criticized for lack of discipline and overindulgence.
• Converting Germanic Tribes: Missionaries and rulers like Clovis facilitated conversions to Christianity.
• Clovis: First Frankish king to convert to Christianity, gaining Church support.
• Pope Gregory I: Strengthened the Church's influence, reformed liturgy, and encouraged missionary work.

Benedictine Monasteries

• Established by St. Benedict, emphasizing prayer, work, and study as a monastic lifestyle.

Charlemagne

• Creation of Empire: Unified much of Western Europe, blending Roman, Christian, and Germanic elements.
• Significance and Impact: Restored order and encouraged cultural revival, supported education, and standardized Latin.
• Political and Intellectual Accomplishments: Administrative reforms, the coronation by Pope Leo III (800 CE) symbolizing unity of Church and state.
• Einhard on Charlemagne: Depicted him as a wise, just, and pious ruler.
• Legacy: Set a precedent for medieval European kingship; his empire influenced later nations.

Vikings

• Origins: Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark)
• Raiding/Exploring/Colonizing: Driven by overpopulation, trade, and wealth, raiding across Europe, settling in places like England, Ireland, and Normandy.
• Success: Advanced ships, surprise tactics, adaptability.

Feudalism

• Origins: Developed due to the need for protection after the fall of centralized Roman authority.
• Feudal Hierarchy: King > Nobles/Lords > Vassals/Knights > Peasants/Serfs
• Manorialism: Economic system where lords managed estates worked by serfs.
• Life on the Manor: Peasants provided labor in exchange for shelter and protection; lived in simple homes, paid taxes, and cultivated land for sustenance.

Knights

• Code of Chivalry: Ethical code emphasizing loyalty, bravery, and courtesy.
• Origins: Developed from early medieval warrior traditions.
• Rules: Protect the weak, serve the lord faithfully, and uphold justice. Knightly training: Page > Squire > Knighthood.

Explore the pivotal events and figures of Early Medieval Europe in this quiz. From Christianity's rise and the role of bishops to the influence of the Franks and Charlemagne, this quiz covers foundational aspects of this transformative period. Test your knowledge on the Edict of Milan, monasteries, and the governance structures that shaped Europe.