Early Medieval Europe Study Guide PDF

Early Medieval Europe Study Guide Terms ​ ​ The Gospels/New Testament: The teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded by his followers; foundational texts of Christianity. ​ ​ Constantine and Christianity: Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan...

Early Medieval Europe Study Guide Terms ​ ​ The Gospels/New Testament: The teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded by his followers; foundational texts of Christianity. ​ ​ Constantine and Christianity: Roman Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 CE and was the first emperor to convert to Christianity. ​ ​ Edict of Milan (313 CE): Proclamation that legalized Christianity and granted religious freedom in the Roman Empire. ​ ​ Bishops: High-ranking Christian clerics overseeing dioceses; pivotal in Church governance. ​ ​ Monasteries: Religious communities where monks lived, worked, and prayed; centers of learning and manuscript preservation. ​ ​ Franks: Germanic tribe that established a powerful kingdom in Western Europe; leaders like Clovis and Charlemagne played crucial roles in European history. ​ ​ Counts: Local officials appointed by rulers to administer justice and manage territories. ​ ​ Missi Dominici: Charlemagne’s royal emissaries who supervised local authorities and ensured laws were upheld. ​ ​ Pope Leo III: Crowned Charlemagne emperor in 800 CE, establishing a precedent for Church and state unity. ​ ​ Einhard: Charlemagne’s biographer who wrote “The Life of Charlemagne,” praising his leadership and achievements. ​ ​ Carolingian Renaissance: A cultural revival during Charlemagne’s reign that emphasized learning, art, and manuscript preservation. ​ ​ Treaty of Verdun (843 CE): Divided Charlemagne’s empire among his three 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 who granted fiefs and provided protection. ​ ​ Vassal: A 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: A 200-year period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire, fostering trade, culture, and infrastructure. ​ ​ 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 preached love, forgiveness, and salvation; crucified under Roman authority and believed to have risen from the dead. ​ ​ Roman Official Response: Initially persecuted Christians, later legalized and embraced under Constantine. ​ ​ Spread: Missionaries like Paul spread Christianity across the Roman Empire. ​ ​ Why Convert?: Promise of eternal life, inclusive nature, and appeal to the poor. ​ ​ Other Factors: Roads and urban centers enabled communication; Constantine’s conversion. ​ ​ 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 conversion 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; emphasized 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. ​ ​ Political and Intellectual Accomplishments: Administrative reforms, support for education, and standardization of Latin. ​ ​ Coronation by Pope Leo III (800 CE): Symbolized unity of Church and state but created tension with the Byzantine Empire. ​ ​ 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 (modern-day Norway, Sweden, Denmark). ​ ​ Raiding/Exploring/Colonizing: Motivated by overpopulation, trade, and wealth; raided across Europe and settled in places like England, Ireland, and Normandy. ​ ​ Success: Advanced ships, surprise tactics, and 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. ​ ​ Procedure for Becoming a Knight: Page (training in basic skills) → Squire (training under a knight) → Knighthood ceremony.