The 1000 year mark was an important one in Western civilizations it

marked many changes. These changes changed were very important

to the civilization of this time. Some of these changes included the

rise of Feudalism, Geography, technology, economy, Monarchy, and

the role of women.

Feudalism (a system of government in which those who

possessed landed estates also possessed political power) (Stavrianos

pg. 229) this system replaced state power with contractual

agreements between lords and vassals. This system started when

German Kings who had over taken Rome could not afford to run the

current system of government they granted them estates. These

estates were sometimes called fiefs, these were then divided into

smaller ones. The system lead to the lords having allot of influence

they were the ones who voted on who would be king, even thought

they did not obey the kings authority they ran their own estates.

Manorialism also came about with no political system the economical

system also changed. The Manor was a self sufficient being it was a

village of sorts. The serts were the ones who did all the work they

were not allowed to leave the Manor. Trading basically disappeared

and the Manors had to make every thing for them selves. With this

weak political system the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope was

allowed to gain much power.

The Geography of western Eurasia was also an advantage they

were able to avoid being incursion form other after 1000. They also

had very good natural resources. The land was exemplary for

agriculture Europe north of the Mediterranean basin was subject to

consent rain fall and also fertile soil. The resources were not used

before because they needed some experience and tools to be done

effectively.

Technology was also on the rise More technological progress

was made during the period of medieval western Europe than had

been made during the entire history of classical Greece an Rome.

(Stavrianos pg. 231). Some of the distinct advancement in

technology was the three field rotation system of farming, this

system upped productivity. The horse was also used more when they

made better harnesses the privies ones choked the horses if they

pulled too hard. The horses were more efficient that the oxen, they

puled faster and more weight. The next major thing was the

windmills and water mills.

With all the new technology the economy also grew along with

it. There was alot allot of growth in the area of mining, and the

timber was also exploited allot. Productivity of agriculture lead to an

increase in the population. With the growth of The economy cam the

growth of luxury item being traded such as raw wool for woolen

cloth, English iron and timber for furs and leather. The first union of

sort were formed merchants and craftmakers to organize into

guilds, which were voluntary association designed for protection and

mutual aid (Stavrianos pg. 233), these associations regulated

manufacturing standards, prices and working hours.

The power of the Popes and the church feel quickly, and the

power of the European kings was on the rise. The king were used the

church for their own use as pawns. The rise of the king came from

the new merchant class. The burghers provided the finical support

needed to run a monarchy. For this finical support they were

provided with protection.

Women were still treated the same but the church fought for

equality of the sexes For ye are all the children of God by faith

Christ Jesus wroth by saint Paul (Stavrianos pg. 243). Women were

also now involed in business their were now word to descried an

occupation held by a woman . Even with all these advancements

women were still being mistreated it was legal for a man to beat his

wife they could even be excued of killing of maiming their wives. The

Art of courtly love this encouraged a knight who desired a peasant

girl not to hesitate to take what you seek and embrace her by force

(Stavrianos pg. 245) even with a little leeway they were still

controlled.

The 1000 year marked many changes in every aspect of

Medieval life. With all the advancements their were also set backs,

and some advancement still hod true to, today s socecity.