The Early Middle Ages It was Dark in these ages, which was problematic as many Europeans were afraid of the dark…or maybe that is not why this time period was so difficult

France Between the 6 th Century and 9 th Century,France-> 4 important leaders, Between the 6 th Century and 9 th Century,France-> 4 important leaders, Charlemagne -> most important. Charlemagne -> most important. Why is Gaul now France????- Barbarians in France -> “The Franks” Why is Gaul now France????- Barbarians in France -> “The Franks”

Clovis – late 6 th Century Unites Franks spreads power, Unites Franks spreads power, Christianizes Gaul… Christianizes Gaul… No good means of succession No good means of succession Merovingians (descendants of Clovis) – fought over who would take control Merovingians (descendants of Clovis) – fought over who would take control

Things turn around though… more than 100 yrs later! Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) Extends power of Franks Extends power of Franks Won -> Battle of Tours (732), driving back Islam into Spain Won -> Battle of Tours (732), driving back Islam into Spain Son, Pepin the Short- >dynasty! Son, Pepin the Short- >dynasty!

Pepin the Short 8C Pepin agreed to fight the Lombards to help the Pope Pepin agreed to fight the Lombards to help the Pope In return, Pepin named king by -> Pope In return, Pepin named king by -> Pope divine right divine right King has political and spiritual power King has political and spiritual power Pepin expands Frankish empire Pepin expands Frankish empire

Pepin the short has a gigantic son…Charles the Great…who has a gigantic life! Charles the Great = Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus) Charles the Great = Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus) Very physical, very active, very big, very intellectual, Very physical, very active, very big, very intellectual, “In war, the king himself commanded the armies and fought in the front line. Every spring, Charlemagne called together all the great landowners of the kingdom, both nobles and bishops” “In war, the king himself commanded the armies and fought in the front line. Every spring, Charlemagne called together all the great landowners of the kingdom, both nobles and bishops”

Charlemagne the Conqueror late 8C to early 9C Expands South & East Expands South & East Charlemagne, like his father (Who was???), protected Italy and the Pope Charlemagne, like his father (Who was???), protected Italy and the Pope Fought Saxons and Avars- (other Barbarian Tribes) Fought Saxons and Avars- (other Barbarian Tribes) Forced baptisms- demanded people became Christian Forced baptisms- demanded people became Christian One leader – One God - One Religion One leader – One God - One Religion Charlemagne’s land surpasses the Eastern Roman Empire’s in size (which had shrank) Charlemagne’s land surpasses the Eastern Roman Empire’s in size (which had shrank)

Charlemagne expands Frankish land

How does one manage to rule such a large empire? Charlemagne divides empire into counties…giving land to people called “counts” Charlemagne divides empire into counties…giving land to people called “counts” (how many counties are there in Ct.???) (how many counties are there in Ct.???) Counts -> land in exchange for which they were expected to serve the Lord (Feudalism) Counts -> land in exchange for which they were expected to serve the Lord (Feudalism)

Where does one find so much money to run an empire? From taxes and trade of course……….. From taxes and trade of course……….. The Royal estates ->Money!!!->runs govt.! The Royal estates ->Money!!!->runs govt.! How does the US Government get money???, how much do you think it spends?!!! How does the US Government get money???, how much do you think it spends?!!!

Mr. Balazs loves Charlemagne! Charlemagne loved learning!!! Charlemagne loved learning!!! Educators-> Courts and children Educators-> Courts and children Monasteries and cathedrals opened schools to train monks and priests Monasteries and cathedrals opened schools to train monks and priests MONASTERIESINCREASEDLIBRARIESA NDCREATEDILLUMINATEDMANUSCRIP TS MONASTERIESINCREASEDLIBRARIESA NDCREATEDILLUMINATEDMANUSCRIP TS Carolingian miniscule Carolingian miniscule

Charlemagne and the Pope Charlemagne declared Holy Roman Emperor (by the Pope) Charlemagne declared Holy Roman Emperor (by the Pope) The first HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (HRE) The first HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR (HRE) Was he really??? Was he really??? He wasn’t a church leader He wasn’t a church leader The Roman Empire was in the East The Roman Empire was in the East The Pope, not the Senate or the People made him Emperor The Pope, not the Senate or the People made him Emperor Nonetheless -> he’s now the HRE Nonetheless -> he’s now the HRE What empire do you think resented his new title??? What empire do you think resented his new title???

Charlemagne’s heirs ruled weakly Son, Louis the Pious -> poor leader… Son, Louis the Pious -> poor leader… Louis (Charlemagne’s son) -> three sons… fought until-> Treaty of Verdun Louis (Charlemagne’s son) -> three sons… fought until-> Treaty of Verdun Essentially created France and Germany- later led to wars about where the borders of each country should be—LIKE WWI and WWII!!! Essentially created France and Germany- later led to wars about where the borders of each country should be—LIKE WWI and WWII!!! -> weakness of Carolingian (Carol=Charles) kings -> weakness of Carolingian (Carol=Charles) kings ->Vulnerability -> VIKINGS AND MAGYARS- TRIBES FROM NORTH AND EAST INVADE EUROPE ->Vulnerability -> VIKINGS AND MAGYARS- TRIBES FROM NORTH AND EAST INVADE EUROPE

Post Charlemagne Map

What was Charlemagne’s Impact? Short Run? Short Run? Long Run? Long Run?