MEDIEVAL EUROPE

The East-West divide

WESTERN EUROPE

• By 500 ce, Roman Empire had fallen to Germanic tribes and invasions

• People became dependent on each other and a MANORIAL SYSTEM developed

MANORIAL SYSTEM

• A reciprocal system of obligations• Serfs worked the land and received

protection, land and housing

• Created 3-field system

• SELF-SUFFICIENCY

FeudalismA political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

Romanesque Architectural Stylee Rounded Arches.

e Barrel vaults.

e Thick walls.

e Darker, simplistic interiors.

e Small windows, usually at the top of the wall.

Carcassonne: A Medieval Castle

WESTERN CHURCH• The church was the only organization that

kept Europe together – POPE in ROME

• Investiture Controversy – who will control ecclesiastical appointments– it’s a conflict between Popes and Kings

• Monasticism – monastaries: places of literary learning

FEUDAL SOCIETY

• Muslims found the Europeans to be backwards (when met during Crusades)

• Jewish communities were hurt – stereotypes

• New technologies (horse collar, three-field system, new plow) and fewer raids = population growth = economic innovation & towns from 900 onwards

POLITICS

• In early Middle Ages – Kings were very weak

A “new” Roman Empire were attempted: a) Charlemagne

b) Holy Roman emperors

1100-1200 - CRUSADES

EASTERN EUROPE - BYZANTINE

• BYZANTINE EMPIRE: in some ways started with Constantinople – a vibrant city

• When Roman Empire fell, Byzantine continued to ward off invaders (Huns, Sassanian, etc…)

• Justinian achievementscontrast with fall

BYZANTINE SOCIETY & PARALLELS

• Women confined to homes, wore veils (compare to Islam)

• United language of Greek – scholars! (W. Europe)• Emperor was ordained by God (China)• Bureaucrats recruited from all classes (China)• Peasant class important to keeping capital fed • Beautiful religious mosaics and icon paintings

EASTERN ORTHODOX SCHISM

• Why? - Different rituals developed- Emperors resented papal control- Bread with yeast & celibacy for priests

- BREAK in late 12th century

RUSSIA

• Kievian Russia developed around Kiev

• Vladimir I of Novgorod chose Eastern Orthodox Christianity 980 ce

• Stayed Eastern Orthodox even during Mongols (or Tartars as they were called in Russia)