Middle+Ages

Middle Ages, (1158 - 1500) By: Jordan Beck and Reed Cronin

**__Terms:[[image:middleages.jpg width="245" height="249" align="left"]][[image:Ren_3.jpg align="right"]]__**

 * __Wergild:__** "Money for a man," known as the considered value of a person in money depending on their social status.
 * __Fief:__** In the Middle Ages, a grant of land made to a vassal; the vassal held political authority within its fief.
 * __Schism:__** The separation that occured between the two Great branches of Christianity.
 * __Crusades:__** Military expidition carried out by European Christians in Middle Ages, in order to regain the holy land from muslims.
 * __Parishes:__** An ecclesiastical district that had its own church and also its own member of clergy.

**__People:__**

 * __Charlemagne:__** "Holy Barbarian," united Europe for the first time, spread Christianity, rebirthed classical eduaction, and gave land grants to nobles.
 * __Charles Martel:__** "Charles the Hammer," fought in battle of tours in 732 AD where he defeated invading Muslims then started feudalism in Europe.
 * __William Marshal:__** Lived in 1189 AD, he may very well have been the greatest knight of all time, it is said he never lost a battle.
 * __Pope Urban 2:__** Called for Crusades and said "God wills it." He attempted to rescue holy land, increase prestige of Church, and reduce feudal warfare.
 * __Saladin:__** "The Magnificent," he was a Muslim general in 1187. He was able to capture the holy city of Jerusalem as it fell to the Muslims.

Midieval Europe, known as the Middle Ages, was the period between ancient times and the modern period. It began with Germanic Kingdoms, starting with Francis which was the strongest of the Germanic Tribes. The name of France comes from Franks. The first of the Frankish rulers (Merovingian rulers) was Clovis in 481 AD. He is significant because he was the first Barbarian King to become Christian. Clovis told Jesus that if he granted him victory he would be baptized and believe in Jesus. After Clovis was Charles Martel "Charles the Hammer" who took part in the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. In the battle, he defeated invading Muslims, started feudalism in Europe, and it was the first battle in which Knights wore armor. Shortly After Charles Martel, Pepin the Short was elected KIng of Franks by nobles in 752 AD, he was the son of Charles. From 768 to 814 Charlemagne (Charles the Great), "Holy Barbarian," had four contributions to history. First of all he united Europe for the first time was the "King Father of Europe." He also spread Christianity and started Tithe which means 10% of income was paid to the church. Charlemagne brought a rebirth to classical education (Greek and Roman), known as Carolingian Renaissance. Lastly, Charles the Great started feudalism and gave land grants to nobles. The Treaty of Verdan divided his empire into three Kingdoms, but all were incompetent.

Following Charlemagne were the Vikings from 700 - 1100 AD, known as the "Viking Age." Scandanavia was made up of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, the people were known and Nordic People. Vikings would invade foreign territories and threaten to take over the territory and use the Blood Eagle as their form of torture. In result of this, Danegeld (gold and silver) was used to pay off the Vikings and people were forced to "pay through the nose." The Vikings were known as great explorers and used Longboats or "Dragon Ships" which were small shallow ships. In 983 AD Erik the Red discovered Greenland and later in 1000 AD Leif Erickson landed on North America. Vikings were polytheistic which means they had more than god, in their case several. Wotan (Odin) was the chief Viking god and the raven was the "eyes of Wotan." Asgard was what Vikings called heaven and Valhalla was the home of the gods. Thor was god of thunder and Mjoinor was Thor's hammer. The god of war was known as Tyr. Despite the Vikings polytheistic beliefs they later became Christians.

Middle Ages Life provided a revival of trade after feudal warfare had limited it. The basis of Middle Ages trade was centered around simply wool, which was traded at trade fairs (market places). In the Middle Ages Life, the Hanseatic League was created for trading purposes and it was an association of 80 German cities. Examples of these cities were Hamburg and Breman. Towns also grew during this time and served as permanent headquarters for merchants. Also, Inns were provided to shelter travelers and artisans set up shops in the towns. At this time, when towns were growing, charters were set up to guarantee town peoples rights. In the Middle Ages Life, the middle class was the devision between Nobles and Peasents. Bourgeoisie in France, Burgesses in England, and Burghers in Germany. In this time, Guilds were associations of merchants and artisans who set prices and wages along with quality standards. During this time, loan interest was outlawed by the church and there was also agricultural improvement because of crop rotation.

__Quote__
"To have another language is to possess a second soul." Charlemagne media type="youtube" key="i5LvkB0RSsQ" width="425" height="350"

media type="custom" key="12012995"



[|Middle Ages] This site has many links, and talks about the religion and the people of the middle ages. [|Life in the Middle Ages] In this site it talks about how the people lived, what they did for fun and war. Middle Ages for Kids This site is easy to read, has many links, pictures, and quizes to test your knowledge. [|Exhibits Collection] This site has videos talking about the people of the middle ages, links, and games. [|Middle Ages Weapons] On this site it talks about all of the weapons, how to use them, and the battle tactics that the people of this time used.



__Timeline__

 * 1) 1158 - First European university appears
 * 2) 1163 - Work begins on Notre Dame Cathedral
 * 3) 1210 - Francis of Assisi founds the Franciscan order
 * 4) 1233 - The Inquisition begins
 * 5) 1347 - The Black Death begins to devastate Europe
 * 6) 1431 - Joan of Arc is burned at the stake
 * 7) 1453 - Hundred Years' War ends
 * 8) 1461 - King Louis XI rules France
 * 9) 1485 - Tudor dynasty is established in England
 * 10) 1469 - Ferdinand and Isabella marry