5.1 Lords and vassals, Franks and Frisians

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5.1 Lords and vassals, Franks and Frisians

5.1 Lords and vassals, Franks and Frisians

How did leadership change after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

Local rulers

• Without central rule, what happens?
• Less protection (no army), no laws
• No cities anymore

Western Roman Empire	After the fall
Run centrally from Rome	Several local rulers
A professional army secured its protection	Cities disappeared or became villages
Local government in the hands of city officials	Bartering replaced money

Consequences of the fall of the W.R.E.

Main consequences:

More wars → the new local rulers wanted to conquer more territory in Europe. So it became less safe for people in Europe

Agricultural society→ Cities were a target for plundering so people moved away. Because of the dangers on the road merchants didn’t want to travel anymore. Roads + bridges had been destroyed → to make sure they had food people used agriculture to produce food again.

2. Why did people live safe lives during the time of
the Roman Empire? There are two correct answers.

1. Slaves were trained and given weapons to protect Roman families.
2. The Roman Empire had a professional army to secure its protection.
3. People in Roman times travelled as little as possible.
4. The Empire did not have competing rulers, but was run centrally from Rome.

The Franks

• A Germanic people
• Had no cities - Did not know how to write
• Not one, but several rulers 

The Frankish Empire

• Started by Childeric (440-482)
  
• His son Clovis (466-511) united the Franks
  
• Had a warrior culture ; it was common to fight
  

3. How did Clovis increase his power?
(two answers)

4. Read the source.
Why did people fear Clovis?

5. Why was the death of a Frankish king often followed
by a war or splitting up of the Empire?

Lords and Vassals

• Lords is the term used for rulers, such as kings
  
• Named their most loyal soldiers vassals 
• Benefits for lord: they fight for him and gave respect
• Benefits for vassals: closer to lord; different jobs based on loyalty

Loyal followers of a lord with special rights

6.

Kings

Lords

vassals

hall

gifts

decisions

protection

Name two germanic tribes that lived next to the Franks

The Frisians

• Other Germanic tribe that lived north of the Franks.
• Charles Martel (718-741) defeated the Frisians in battle.
• 734 AD: Slach oan de Boarn

7. Where did the two Germanic tribes live? Drag to the right position.

Franks

Frisians

Charlemagne (768-814)

• Most powerful Frankish ruler
  
• Defeated the Saxons and conquered parts of Italy
• Reminiscent      of the power of Roman Emperors
• Even crowned emperor by the pope

Doet denken aan

9. In Dutch Charlemagne is called.....

10. Which event is shown on the painting?

11. On the coin below, you can see a portrait of Charlemagne.
Was this coin made before or after 800 AD? Use the coin
to explain your answer.

What is?

continuity and discontinuity (in history lessons)?

Continuity: this means that somethings continues, or "keeps going on" . 

For example: After the fall of the western Roman empire Christianity continued as an important religion.

Discontinuity: this means that something ends and is replaced by something different (it does NOT continue)

For example: When the Roman monarchy ended and Rome became a Republic.

A system of government was replaced by a very different system. So this is "discontinuity".

500 AD

6. 

Christianity

International trade

Latin language

use of money

Roman roads

living in cities

Rome: the center of Christianity

literacy and education

12. For the Franks and other Germanic tribes a lot of things also
changed or continued.
Choose 'continuity' if it was an idea they already had before they conquered the Roman empire . Choose 'discontinuity' if they adopted the idea from the Romans.
a. The Germanic tribes had several rulers.

1. continuity
2. discontinuity

12b. The Frankish ruler Clovis converted to Christianity.

1. continuity
2. discontinuity

12c. Gift-giving was used by Frankish lords to
guarantee the
loyalty of his followers.

1. continuity
2. discontinuity

12d. The power and property of the Frankish
kings was hereditary

1. continuity
2. discontinuity

What to do now?

• Open LessonUp on your laptop
  
• Or make worksheet 5.3