The Dark Ages

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The Dark Ages

• 500-1000 A.D.

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Characteristics

• Roman civilization disappeared.
• Wars raged constantly.
• Towns emptied.
• Learning ceased.

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The Franks

• The strongest and most successful kingdom between
  400-700.

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Clovis

• Ruler in the late 400s.
• Conquered Gaul.
• Converted to Christianity.

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Muslims overran Spain!!!
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Charles Martel

• Led the Franks and defeated Muslims at Tours in
  732.

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Charlemagne

• Over 6 foot tall.
• Reigned for 46 years.
• Supported by Pope Leo III

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Education Changes

• Set up schools where grammar, rhetoric, logic,
  arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy were
  studied.

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The End of an Empire

• 814, the Frankish Empire collapsed.

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Charlemagnes Sons

• Created the Treaty of Verdun which broke the
  empire into 3 parts.

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Magyars and Vikings

• Most feared barbarians in Europe.

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A New System was needed to protect the people.
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Feudalism
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What is feudalism?

• It is a system of rule where local lords divide
  up their land to lesser lords for service and
  loyalty.

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How did feudalism come about?

• Feudalism began with people joining together in
  response to common problems. These problems
  included danger from foreign invaders, the lack
  of a common currency or trade, and food
  shortages.

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The Invaders Muslims, Magyars, and Vikings.
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The Trade Vassals were given large plots of
land, called fiefs, in exchange for

• 40 days of military service per year
• Money, mostly by crops.
• Advice.

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The Serfs

• The serfs were the lowest segment of society.
  They were bound to the land and often had to pay
  the lord more than half of their crops in taxes.

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Who started this system?

• In 1066, William I or William the Conqueror took
  control of England. He instituted the system.

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The Battle of Hastings
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Hastings was important because it marks the only
time in world history that the British Isles were
invaded and conquered.
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