The Medieval Era/The Renaissance
Produced by: Xavier, Danielle, and Najee
Introduction to the Dark Ages
The Dark Age is a period within the Medieval Era which was an era that lasted from 500 to 1300 CE/AD. The signal that the dark ages began was the fall of the Roman Empire. Is is also referred to as the Early Middle Ages. The major causes of the fall were economic turmoil, no cultural diffusion, and a lack of protection. Romans lived more of an urban life and there loyalty was to Rome led by the Emperor. They had no laws of succession but, they did have an established legal system. Germanic tribes did not live in a urban society. Tribal loyalty was to the chiefs. The chiefs were selected by family succession and military leaders but there achievements. In a Germanic society there was also trial by ordeal....if you live you are set free.
Christianity and Frankish Leaders
The Church was the only common denominator throughout all of Europe. The church saved and preserved Greco-Roman culture and Latin alphabet. They kept the culture in monasteries. The church satisfied social and religious needs of everyone. At the beginning of the dark ages the church was scattered. The church starts to get more authority when Pope Leo lll anoints Charlemagne Emperor of Rome.
Instability and Feudal Society
Everything started falling apart again! Charlemagne died and order soon crumbled. The treaty of Verdun divided his empire. Invasions and local rule made towns instable.
The Crusades and the Bubonic Plague
The crusades start when Christians tried to take the holy land. There are 10 crusades between 1096 and 1276. The crusades weakened the pope and strengthened the kings. There is lasting bitterness between Islam Christianity and Jewishness. The bubonic plague was known as the black plague. It was spread by fleas and rats who bit humans. 33.3% of all people died.