The fall of the Carolingian Empire

9^th and 10^th centuries: second century of invasion. Some of the Carolingian collapse had to do with struggle within royal family. There was a division of the empire in the Treaty of Verdun. Charles the Bald given western (France), Louis the German given eastern kingdom (germany) and Lothair is screwed with the middle territory. He also inherits title of emperor. But he has problems at all sides. Middle kingdom is in the high up alps which splits Lothair’s kingdom in half. Difficulty in communication, which brings cultural differences. Each brother aspires to reunite the kingdom, but circumstances prevent that from happening. Franks territory invaded by north from Norse, East by Avars and Magyars and a renewed Islamic invasion. Vikings are the most famous of the invaders. Vikings were from Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Support in Scandinavia was dense. Scandinavians develop naval technology, including very seaworthy/raiding vessels. Called dragon ships. Scandinavians range all over. As Vikings gain knowledge of the land, they move from being raiders to being settlers. One of the principle regions that they settle is called the Danelaw, the northeastern portion of England. Louis III. Charles the Simple: 898-922. A Danish cheiftan named Rollo conquered the northern region of France then colonized what we know as Normandy. Rollo ordained duke of Normandy. Rurik, prince of Kiev, crystallized first Russian state. The Norwegians travel across the north Atlantic developing settlements all over. Why do the Scandinavians travel across north Atlantic and stop? The ice shield of Greenland. Leif Erickson – October 9^th. Age of Feudal Relations (or whatever). Discovery of a new paradigm, a new way of doing things. Kings become weak, unable to do what government is supposed to do, namely provide security. If king cannot protect people, the people have to protect themselves. So Europe begins to fragment into localities. And whatever protection is provided is on a local basis by local elites. Elites come to power out of ability to defend local populations and because of their ability to control local places. A key to this power is the fort, a measure of protection. An era of castle building. The people with castles are the people with power. Castles afford some protection. Agreements begin to be made. Lords and Vassals. I’m loyal to you because of my oath of loyalty. There is a ceremony. Many vassals receive castles in return for military service. That is fiefdom. Fief is the land received conditionally in return for military service. Vassals are not farmers, they are soldiers. That is land to rule. Tenant farmers farm your crops.