Feudal Europe: Society, Church, and Romanesque Art

Europe in the Early Middle Ages

From about 850 to 1100, Europe was divided and weak. This led to a second wave of invasions. Three new peoples invaded Europe: the Vikings, the Saracens, and the Hungarians. The Hungarians (or Magyars) came from the steppes of Asia. They settled in Eastern Europe and founded the kingdom of Hungary. These invasions created a climate of violence and insecurity in Europe.

The Rise of Feudalism

After the Carolingian Empire, Europe was divided into numerous kingdoms. The kings were very weak. The barons became the king's vassals by accepting the king's supremacy. They did this at a ceremony where they paid homage to the king and swore allegiance to him. They promised to govern the land which they had been given and to provide troops and fight for the king when necessary. These lords could also have vassals, who were usually nobles of a lower rank. They swore allegiance to their lord and received a smaller fief. In theory, a chain of personal ties was formed, which linked the king with the nobles. The king had a court.

The Fief and Manor System

A fief, or manor, was a unit of land consisting of a lord's demesne and lands rented to peasants. Nobles received land in exchange for swearing allegiance to the king. The demesne was the part of the land on the manor that was used by the lord himself. Everything grown there was his. The lords administered justice and collected taxes. The peasants had to pay a tax to use the mill, the oven, and the press.

The Power of the Clergy

The Pope was the head of the Church. He ruled over the Papal State (Vatican). He had great influence and could excommunicate a king. Then, his subjects did not owe him any allegiance.

Structure of the Catholic Church

• Pope
• Secular Clergy
  • Bishops
  • Dioceses
  • Priests
  • Parishes
• Regular Clergy
  • Abbots
  • Superiors
  • Friars, Monks, and Nuns

The most important religious order in the Early Middle Ages was the Order of Saint Benedict. Some orders were closed. Some rules required that members beg to collect money for the poor. The members of each order wore a habit. Nuns and monks lived in convents and monasteries. They prayed and meditated. They also worked in the garden and looked after the poor and sick.

The Lives of Peasants

Some peasants were serfs: they were completely subjected to the lord's authority. They could not leave the fief or get married without permission. They were not paid for their work. The lord often treated them badly. Serfdom was passed down to their children. Other peasants were freemen. They could leave the fief and make personal decisions. They worked on the lord's land and paid rent, but they kept some of the harvest. They paid a tithe, a percentage of the harvest, to the Church.

Romanesque Art and Architecture

In the 11th century, Romanesque art emerged, reminiscent of Roman art. Its aim was to spread religion and bring people closer to God. Main buildings were made of stone. They had very thick walls but very small windows. Churches were usually cruciform. The shorter arm was called the transept.

Sculpture and Painting

Art had an educational and religious function. Human figures were unrealistic. Facades were decorated with subjects. Capitals and cloisters were decorated with animals, plants, Biblical stories, and everyday scenes. In painting, human figures were rigid and schematic. Bright colors were used. Figures were outlined in black. Eyes and hands were emphasized. There were no background landscapes.