Parapgraph 5.1 - Lords and vassels - 2021

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Today

Paragraph 5.1 - Lords and vassals

Early Middle Ages - time of the stories of King Arthur 

And in the 20th century of treasures in your own back yard

The famous Sutton Hoo treasure

Among pots, sword, precious cups and other gold and intricate detailed objects also a helmet. 

What do you see on the helmet? 

What did you see on the Sutton Hoo helmet?

Early Middle Ages

• 500-1000
• Western Roman Empire has fallen (476)
• Germanic tribes 'take over' local government
• What changes? 

Why did people live safe lives during the time of
the Roman Empire? (two options)

1. The Roman Empire had a professional army to secure its protection
2. People in Roman times travelled as little as possible
3. The Romans used the death penalty for all the crimes committed
4. The Empire did not have competing rulers, but was run centrally from Rome

The Frankish Empire

Clovis: first leader of a united Frankish empire

Clovis, a real Lord

One of the local leaders who had served under the Romans, was the Frank Childeric (c. 440-482). He was not himself leader of all the Franks, but the Frankish Empire was established from the area he controlled around Tournai (Belgium). His son Clovis (c. 466-511) was able to unite all the Franks under his rule by killing other leaders. Among them were several of his relatives. He saw them as competitors for his position. In addition, he conquered other areas to extend his territory. Although many battles for power would follow, the Frankish Empire was from then on the most powerful empire of Western Europe.The Franks had a warrior culture: it was common to fight. In combats and battles they could earn honour and booty. The amount of victories that a lord had on the battlefield and the way he showed bravery and - to our eyes - cruelty, provided him with power. This can be seen in the following story in which Clovis personally executes a warrior who had opposed his authority.

How did Clovis NOT gain such a huge empire?

1. Marriage to a neighbouring princess
2. Fighting wars against other peoples
3. Killing family members who were a threat to his position

Clovis was a real warrior.
What do you think of at the word warrior?

Use the source. Why did people fear Clovis?

Think, pair, share

• Individually think: Why would Clovis want to make people fear him? 
• Write at least one reason down
• Pair and discuss and formulate one answer on paper
• Share your joined answer in the next slide

Why would Clovis want
to make people fear him?

Lord and vassals

Lord is the term used in the Early Middle Ages for rulers, such as kings. In Germanic society, the bond between a lord and his followers, vassals, was very important. It was a personal bond based on mutual benefits. The benefits for the lord were that vassals fought for him and gave him respect. The lord’s power was demonstrated by the number of his followers. A powerful lord offered his followers protection, shelter and income.

The bonds between lords and their vassals were strengthened in the hall: a building that could accommodate a large group of people. In the hall people ate and drank, made music and listened to stories together. Important decisions were made here, about starting a war or forming alliances, for example. Visitors such as traders came to the hall to offer their goods. In the hall, the lord also gave gifts.

What did you see in the clip
that matches with
the text we have read?

A good lord had to be a                       one. Giving and receiving gifts contributed to a lord’s status and power. By giving gifts to his followers, a lord could guarantee 

their                       to him.                               gifts with other lords was used to form or 

maintain friendly                       . The gifts were                            items, such as richly decorated weapons or golden jewels and coins.

generous

loyalty

Exchanging

 alliance

 luxury

Homework

Read 'Franks and Frisians' and 'Charlemagne' (TB 102)

Make exercise 8 

(P.S.: the clip in the following slide is an example of warrior culture that focuses more on the aspects that are more suited to the modern person) 

       Lords