WESTERN CIVILIZATIONS

CHAPTER V:
Western civilizations in
the Middle Ages
Content
V.1. Western Culture from the 5th to the 10th Centuries.
V.1.1. Life in the Middle Ages
Feudalism
Manor Life
The Making of a Knight
V.1.2. The importance of Christianity
Monasteries
The Wealth of the Church

The Middle Ages Begin
1st civilizations of Europe: those of ancient Greece & ancient Rome.
These civilizations lost importance by the 3rd & 4th centuries A.D but Europeans were already beginning to rebuild by the end of 5th century. Midddle Ages
It began around A.D.500 & lasted for 1,000 years.
This term was invented during the Renaissance.

A Great Emperor
In the 6th century, Franks, a group of Germanic tribes, began to make a powerful kingdom in Europe.
They conquered neighboring people and extended their power
By the late 700s, a large part of Europe was under their control
Charlemagne
One of the Frank’s greatest rulers.
He ruled from 768 to 814 & led more than 50 major military campaigns, united a great variety of European people.
Charlemagne’s Empire in 800
The Mighty Vikings
In 814, the Frank’s empire was being attacked by northern raiders.
Viking raided & settled in large areas of eastern & western Europe during a period of Scandinavian expansion from 800 to 1100
Viking Raiding Party
V.1.1.1: Feudalism
Contactual system of political & military relationship existing among members of the nobility in Western Europe.
Being characterized by the granting of fiefs, chieftly in the form of land & labour in return for political & military services.
The largest number people were serfs.
V.1.1.2: Manor Life
Most Europeans live on a manor.
A manor- an independent economic unit, a large farming estate where nobles & serfs lived & worked.
V.1.1.3: The Making of a Knight

Male children of noble were trained to become knights
Knights were trained soldiers & specialists in war
Young knights began their training at age 7. If he served well, he was made knight at age 20
V.1.2.1: Monasteries
Monasteries or convents are community of men or women in the Roman Catholic Church leading a religious life.
Hundred of them were set up across Europe.
They were important places of learning
Mount of Temptation Monastery
V.1.2.2: The Wealth of the Church
The Church was the biggest landowner in Europe.
Wealthy men, women as well as Kings, queens & wealthy nobles gave large sums of money to their local churchs