Feudal Europe

REVIEW SHEET	THE KINGDOM OF THE FRANKS AND FEUDAL EUROPE
pp. 275-286

1. Focus Question: When and How did the Franks establish an Empire?

Where was the Frankish empire located? What was the nature of Frankish loyalties? What was the most persistent problem of medieval political history? How did the Merovingian kings attempt to centralize the government? What centrifugal tendencies hindered centralized rule? Into how many regions was the Merovingian empire divided? By the seventh century, where was the real power concentrated? How did the Carolingian dynasty come to power? Why did Charles Martel grant fiefs? Where did he obtain the land for the fiefs?   Why were the popes willing to support the Carolingians?

2. Focus Question: What was the nature of the relationship between the Frankish rulers and the Church?

What particular element (institution) within Church helped to made it a dominant force? How did Charles Martel and his successors "use" the church? When and how were the Papal States formed? Why was the Donation of Constantine produced? Was it legitimate? What did the Church hope to obtain from the Franks, and what did the Franks seek from the Church?

3. Focus Question: What measures did Charlemagne use to enhance his control over the lands he ruled?

How extensive was Charlemagne’s kingdom at its peak? What was Charlemagne's foreign policy? What was Charlemagne's ultimate aim? When and how did he accomplish it? On what pattern did Charlemagne build Aachen? How did Charlemagne govern his kingdom? What were the duties of the count? How did Charlemagne try to supervise his overseers and improve local justice? How did Charlemagne treat his bishops? Why did Charlemagne create his palace school? What prompted the modest "Carolingian" renaissance? What did Charlemagne seek from the grand palace school? What impact did this schools have on the church?

4. Focus Question:   Why does Charlemagne's Empire break apart and what was the situation in Europe following its demise?

What was the economic basis of the empire? What did a serf receive from his master, and the master from the serf? What two inventions aided to increase agricultural production? How were parish priest appointed?   Why did veneration of the saints become so popular? What were the "seeds" of dissolution in Charlemagne’s Empire? Why was Louis the Pious reluctant to divide his kingdom? Into how many regions was it divided after his death? Why was the last quarter of the ninth century and the first half of the tenth century "dark"? What brute fact of life provided the essential precondition for the maturation of feudal society? What were the chief characteristics of feudal society?   Who began the practice of lay investiture of the clergy? What was the result? What were the obligations of the vassals and of the lords? How did vassalage contribute to fragmentation and divided loyalty?

Clovis
Merovingian dynasty
mayor of the palace
fiefs
St. Boniface
Christmas Day, 800 A.D.
Alcuin of York
Carolingian minuscule
manors
Treaty of Verdun
Magyars
Vikings
vassalage
liege lord

1.	Focus Question: When and How did the Franks establish an Empire?
	Where was the Frankish empire located? What was the nature of Frankish loyalties? What was the most persistent problem of medieval political history? How did the Merovingian kings attempt to centralize the government? What centrifugal tendencies hindered centralized rule? Into how many regions was the Merovingian empire divided? By the seventh century, where was the real power concentrated? How did the Carolingian dynasty come to power? Why did Charles Martel grant fiefs? Where did he obtain the land for the fiefs? Why were the popes willing to support the Carolingians?
2.	Focus Question: What was the nature of the relationship between the Frankish rulers and the Church?
	What particular element (institution) within Church helped to made it a dominant force? How did Charles Martel and his successors "use" the church? When and how were the Papal States formed? Why was the Donation of Constantine produced? Was it legitimate? What did the Church hope to obtain from the Franks, and what did the Franks seek from the Church?
3.	Focus Question: What measures did Charlemagne use to enhance his control over the lands he ruled?
	How extensive was Charlemagne’s kingdom at its peak? What was Charlemagne's foreign policy? What was Charlemagne's ultimate aim? When and how did he accomplish it? On what pattern did Charlemagne build Aachen? How did Charlemagne govern his kingdom? What were the duties of the count? How did Charlemagne try to supervise his overseers and improve local justice? How did Charlemagne treat his bishops? Why did Charlemagne create his palace school? What prompted the modest "Carolingian" renaissance? What did Charlemagne seek from the grand palace school? What impact did this schools have on the church?
4.	Focus Question: Why does Charlemagne's Empire break apart and what was the situation in Europe following its demise?
	What was the economic basis of the empire? What did a serf receive from his master, and the master from the serf? What two inventions aided to increase agricultural production? How were parish priest appointed? Why did veneration of the saints become so popular? What were the "seeds" of dissolution in Charlemagne’s Empire? Why was Louis the Pious reluctant to divide his kingdom? Into how many regions was it divided after his death? Why was the last quarter of the ninth century and the first half of the tenth century "dark"? What brute fact of life provided the essential precondition for the maturation of feudal society? What were the chief characteristics of feudal society? Who began the practice of lay investiture of the clergy? What was the result? What were the obligations of the vassals and of the lords? How did vassalage contribute to fragmentation and divided loyalty?