Sec. 13.1: Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms Setting the Stage Middle Ages 500-1500 (Medieval Period) Invasions of Western Rome Constant invasion changed the area Disruption of trade Downfall of cities Population shifts Decline of Learning Study of Greek literature, philosophy, etc. disappeared

Invasions of Western Europe cont.. Loss of a common language Greek and Latin transformed into other languages. Lack of a common language caused areas/kingdoms to split.

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge 400-600 Germanic Kingdoms replaced Roman provinces The Church was the only constant The Concept of Government Changes Family ties and loyalty held society together No longer laws and written codes Warriors more loyal to lords than the king

German Kingdoms Emerge cont.. Clovis Rules the Franks Franks held power in Gaul Led by Clovis Brought Christianity to the region Prayed to the God of Christianity to win the war against a Germanic tribe When they won, Clovis and his warriors were baptized. Caused a partnership between the Franks and the Church

Germans Adopt Christianity Missionaries caused more Franks to convert to Christianity Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts Monasteries- religious communities Monks- men who devoted themselves to the Christian faith Nuns- women who devoted themselves to the Christian faith. Lived in convents

Germans Adopt Christianity cont. Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts cont.. Benedict (twin brother) Monk who wrote rules for the monasteries Scholastica (twin sister) Nun who wrote the same rules for convents

Germans Adopt Christianity cont. Monasteries, Convents, and Manuscripts cont.. Monasteries became the best educated communities in Europe Opened libraries, schools, and copied books Wrote histories

Papal Power Expands Under Gregory I Gregory the Great Became pope in 590 Broadened authority of the church Papacy became more secular (worldly) More involved in politics Controlled more territory Expanded Christianity

An Empire Evolves Kingdoms arose after the fall of Rome England 7 tiny kingdoms Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) (major domo) mayor of the palace Led armies Made policy Had more power than the king Defeated Muslims at the Battle of Tours Empire went to his son Pepin who started the Carolingian Dynasty.

Charlemagne Becomes Emperor Extends Frankish Rule Built a great empire Fought Muslims and other tribes Conquered lands Spread Christianity United Western Europe Defended the pope and was name “Roman Emperor” as gratitude Marked the union between Germanic power and the Church

Charlemagne Leads Revival Limited authority of the nobles Made sure landholder ruled justly Visited parts of the kingdom regularly Kept close watch of his wealth (his estates) Encouraged learning Opened schools at the palace Order the opening of schools to train monks and nuns

Charlemagne’s Heirs Louis the Pious Son of Charlemagne Named emperor Religious but ineffective as a ruler His 3 sons signed the Treaty of Verdun Divided the empire into three kingdoms Lack of a strong central gov. led to feudalism