Terms: Constantine, Franks, feudalism, vassals, fiefs, manors, serf, sacraments, Truce of God, charters,
guilds, Domesday Book, vernacular, crusades. Common law, Holy Roman Empire, Reconquista,
estates general, printing press, Reformation
Middle Ages in Western Europe
A. Read pages 306-313 text handout
B. War Peace War Chapter 8 “the other side of the wheel of fortune” 205-238
C. Primary documents: Black Death, Rules of Love, Flagellants, Doomsday Book
D) Notes:
What caused feudalism to happen
1) Economic collapse of the Roman Empire: causes instability in society
2) Invasions cause economic and social instability
a) Germans lack of formal learning
b) Commitatus: warrior bands that take over knights
3) Later invasions
i) Charlemagne: Avars, Muslims,
ii) Vikings, Magyars, Muslims, Slavs
4) Social Stability
5) Self Sufficiency: no trade, no money
What were the Dark Ages?
Describe Feudalism:
1. Economics: manor, fiefs, vassals, endemic warfare
2. Class structure: church, knights, vassals, fief, serfs, peasants, guilds, middle class, charters
3. Church: sacraments, chivalry, Truce of God, scholasticism, vernacular
What caused the end of Feudalism.
1. Economics:
i) Trade increases: crusades: ideas, products, luxury, vent for nayer do wells.
ii) Towns: charters, peace, stability
2) Black Death: trade, towns, society, inflation,
3) Growth of Money economy: banking, trades,
4) Growth of Monarchies: middle class, innovation,
5) Church corruption.